No. 29 - Its Gran Canaria Magazine

74
It is rare for anyone who has been to the
Canary Islands not to go home with a
smile etched on their face. This is probably
due to the fact they were fascinated
by the landscapes, they loved the cuisine,
they spent some quality leisure time,
they were happy with the kind welcome
they received from their Canary hosts…
So any visit becomes an unforgettable
experience. But there is one thing that
cannot go unnoticed and is not invisible.
The climate is the greatest attraction
when it comes to choosing the islands
for a holiday. It represents 90% of the
decision to come here, out of all aspects
taken into consideration, and the Canaries
can boast having the best climate in
the world.
Stable and pleasant temperatures all
year round
REPORT I REPORTAJE EDICIÓN 29
Do the Canary Islands have the
best climate in the world?
However, what exactly to we mean when
we refer to «the best climate in the
world»? It is the fact that temperatures
are stable and pleasant all year round,
with both mild winters and summers, an
average 22 and 26 degrees centigrade
respectively, a far cry from extreme temperatures
that prevail on the continent.
It could almost be called eternal spring,
with long, cloudless days and around
3,000 sunshine hours a year, making the
Canaries the sunniest location in Europe.
Guayadeque
Open air activities
This climate ultimately influences the
landscapes, is reflected in the cuisine,
enables people to get outside and do
different activities and has a positive
effect on the mood of residents and visitors.
The climate is always there even
though it doesn’t seem to play a part, it
enhances every moment and is decisive
in everyone’s quality of life. Scientific
studies have shown that climate has a
direct impact on our physical and emotional
well-being.
Scientific study
Talking of scientific studies, there is solid
evidence to suggest that the Canary Islands
have the best climate in the world.
Thomas Whitmore, climatic research director
at the University of Syracusa in the
USA, published a study in Consumer Travel
Publications in 1996 entitled «Índices
of the most pleasant climates», in which
he placed the Canary Islands at the top
of the tree. To reach this conclusion, he
offered comparative meteorological statistics
from over 600 places around the
world: the number of rainy days a year,
air temperature, water temperature, etc.
Trade winds and the anticyclone from
the Azores
Maspalomas
The secret of this privileged meteorological
bonanza is the islands’ location, in
an area of transition which leave them
exposed to the effects of trade winds
that cool the atmosphere, as well as the
influence of the cold current of the Canaries
that flows around its coastlines.
The anticyclone of the Azores, meanwhile,
prevent temperatures dropping in
winter.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the city
with the best climate in the world
While the Canary Islands are said to have
the best climate in the world, endorsed
by a scientific study, Las Palmas de Gran
Canaria can also boast being the city
with the best climate in the world, according
to Australian website Traveller. In its
article «The best climates in the world:
top cities with perfect weather that can
be visited throughout the year», written
by David Whitley in November 2016,
other cities to appear on the list include
San Diego (California, USA), Viña del Mar
(Chile), Adelaide (Australia), Yuma (Arizona,
USA) and Swakopmund (Namibia).
It is therefore clear that the Canary Islands
do not only play in the Premier
League of climatology, they are the
champions.
La Garita