North Atlantic, west of the African coast.

GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

7,242 sq km (2,796 sq miles).

1.9 million (2004).

257 per sq km.

Provincial capitals are Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Population: 377,660 (2003); and Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Population: 220,033 (2003).

The Canary Islands are situated between 96km (60 miles) and 304km (189 miles) off the northwest coast of Africa. The southern coast of Spain lies 1,120km (696 miles) south. Las Palmas comprises the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is made up of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro. All the islands are of volcanic origin and the climate is subtropical. The landscape is varied, and includes mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, cliffs, craters and forests.