TENERIFE

also spelled Teneriffe, island, largest of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife provincia, in the comunidad autnoma (autonomous community) of Canarias, Spain. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean opposite the northwest coast of Africa. The island has an area of 795 square miles (2,058 square km). The narrower northeastern part rises sharply to a jagged mountain ridge of volcanic origin, except near La Laguna, where a corridorlike depression forms the island's only extensive lowland. The remaining two-thirds of Tenerife is a vast composite dome surmounted by Teide Peak, the highest point on Spanish soil (12,198 feet ). This volcanic peak, with its supports and spurs, occupies nearly two-thirds of the island. The area continues to be the site of volcanic activity; perhaps the most destructive eruption occurred early in the 18th century, when a lava flow buried much of the town and harbour of Garachico on the northern coast. Nearly all the inhabitants of Tenerife live on the lower slopes and within a few miles of the sea. Almost half the population is in or near Santa Cruz de Tenerife (q.v.), the capital, and La Laguna, the former capital. La Laguna University was established in 1701. Most of the island's other inhabitants live on the intensively cultivated slopes near the north coast, where the chief towns are La Orotava, Icod, and Puerto de la Cruz. Near the south coast, where the climate is drier and camels are common beasts of burden, there are many small villages, but Gimar is the only town. The economy of Tenerife is mainly agricultural; tourism is based on beach-resort facilities. The international airport at Los Rodeos suffered a catastrophic airplane collision (582 fatalities) in 1977 and was replaced by a new international airport, Queen Sofia Tenerife South, in 1978. Pop. (1982 est.) 658,884.