Canary Islands

Group in the Atlantic near n. w. Africa; supposed to be the "Fortunate Islands" of antiquity. Lost sight of for centuries, they were rediscovered 1334 by the French, and have belonged to Spain since 1493. Of the seven principal islands Teneriffe is the largest; its volcanic peak is 12,182 ft. high. The total area is 2,800 sq. m.; pop. 287,728.