The history of Corralejo

Corralejo is a town in Spain located in the municipality of La Oliva on the island of Fuerteventura, in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

Have you ever heard of its historical path and its development in the tourism sector? get ready because it will amaze you !!! or at least I hope so.

Good!! Let's begin !!!

The history of Corralejo has had several historical periods, so as not to get you bored I suggest you to eat some snacks to stay focused on the reading.

 

Era of conquest 

Jean de Béthencourt, who led the expedition to the islands, led a group of his men across the sea from his fortress in Lanzarote to explore Fuerteventura.

Jean de Béthencourt, who led the expedition to the islands, led a group of his men across the sea from his fortress in Lanzarote to explore Fuerteventura.

The arid north of the island was not densely populated and the conquistadors found little in local life, while Lobos which lies a few kilometers northeast of Corralejo was a convenient base for hunting.

After a few days on the island, La Salle sent Levedan back to the fortress of Lanzarote to replenish his supplies, the group in particular needed water as Lobos does not have a source of fresh water.

There was a mutiny in Lanzarote, which left La Salle and his men trapped on the island of Lobos without a source of food and water. 

Those who remained loyal to Béthencourt in Lanzarote would use a flimsy boat to save La Salle and his men from Lobos.

17th century

The historian and priest José de Viera y Clavijo named the city in his book Noticias de la historia general de las Islas de Canarias, in the year 1772.

The historian and priest José de Viera y Clavijo he named the city in his book Noticias de la historia general de las Islas de Canarias, in the year 1772

Nineteenth century. Slight growth 

Later, during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, thanks to the fact that La Oliva became the capital of the island.

The production of wheat, barley and rye for export was strengthened. In the second half of the twentieth century, the strong tourist impulse transformed the services and the construction sector into the great engine of the development of Corralejo.

20th century. The beginnings of tourism 

Corralejo for most of its history was a humble fishing village. At the beginning of the 70s with its extraordinary beaches and its expanses of sand dunes, the tourism that had reached the south of the island in the 60s began to venture towards the north.

Corralejo had very humble beginnings as a tourist center.

John Mercer, who visited the then city in the early 1970s in search of a book on the island, left a reminder of the humble first steps Corralejo had taken in the tourism industry and, with them, its growth and expansion. 

From 2010 until today, the city is continuing to grow significantly, with new businesses and more and more tourist resorts.

From 2010 until today, the city is continuing to grow significantly, with new commercial activities and more and more tourist resorts.

John Mercer 

If you don't know who he is, you absolutely must know his story !!!

He was a famous British archaeologist, writer, weaver and human rights defender . Born in Las Palmas (Canary Islands) of British parents, he was educated in Spain and England. Subsequently, after graduating as a chartered accountant, he wanted to follow his passion for the islands, in particular the Canary Islands.

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