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As the rest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is also a son of Pluton. While the volcanic development of the eastern islands started more than 20 Million years ago, the oldest mountain ranges of Tenerife arised from the
Atlantic much later (about 8 to 12 Million years ago).
500.000 years ago the last stage of volcanic activity in Tenerife took place. The 'Pico Viejo' (old peak) erupted first and some time later the higher 'Pico del Teide'.
This last one has on it's top a sulphur coat surrounding it. The last volcano eruption in Tenerife happened near the village of Santiago del Teide in 1909.
The largest city, Santa Cruz, is the capital of the island and seat of the cabildo insular (island government); it is also the capital of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and officially co-capital of the autonomous community
of the Canary Islands together with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, although clearly behind this one in terms of population, industry, tourism or gross domestic produce.
The island is dominated by the now dormant volcano "Mount Teide", which at 12,000ft is the highest mountain in Spain.
Tenerife Facts
Country: Spain
Population: 770,800 in Tenerife
Language: Castilian - Spanish
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time zone: Same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Country dialing code: +34
Size: 786 square miles
Electricity: 220 volts, 50 Hz
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