Colonial Period to Present
Springboard to America (15th–18th Century)
After the conquest, Gran Canaria became a strategic stopover on the way to the New World. Christopher Columbus stopped in Las Palmas in 1492 to repair ships and take on supplies before discovering America (his stay is documented in the Casa de Colón). In the following centuries, Las Palmas became one of the most important ports of the Atlantic — a hub for trade between Europe, Africa, and America.
Sugar, Wine & Cochineal
Gran Canaria's economy went through several cycles:
- Sugar (15th–16th Century): Sugarcane plantations brought immense wealth — the magnificent colonial houses in Vegueta date from this period.
- Wine (16th–18th Century): Canary wines (especially the "Canary Sack") were legendary in England — Shakespeare mentions them in his works.
- Cochineal (19th Century): Cochineal insects on prickly pears provided the coveted red dye carmine. When synthetic dyes emerged, the economy collapsed.
- Bananas (from 1880): The export of bananas to Europe became the lifeline of the islands — and remains so to some extent today.
Tourism & Modern Times
Tourism began in the 1960s when Scandinavian and German tour operators discovered southern Gran Canaria as a winter destination. Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés were built from scratch — the hotel landscape that characterizes the south today was created during this time. Since the 1990s, Gran Canaria has increasingly focused on sustainable tourism, culture, and nature: The UNESCO recognition of the sacred mountains (2019) and the designation of 46% of the island's area as a Biosphere Reserve are important milestones.
Today, Gran Canaria has approximately 870,000 inhabitants and welcomes over 4 million tourists annually. As part of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands, the island enjoys extensive self-governance within Spain — with its own parliament, tax system (IGIC instead of IVA), and strong regional identity.
