Canary Islands: Fuerteventura

John Mercer

Published by David & Charles, hardcover with dustjacket, illustrated

Although the Canary Islands are familiar by name the world over, Fuerteventura, only slightly smaller than Gran Canaria the biggest of the group, has not been widely 'discovered' by modern travellers. Yet its former capital, Betancurai, became the first European colonial settlement when the French conquered the group in the early fifteenth century. Its long history, changing land surface and the still relatively primitive life of the colourful, rugged islanders today make it a place of great and quite unusual interest for tourists and scientists.

First impressions of the island as seen from sea or air are of an arid, mountainous rocky mass with high cliffs overhanging the ocean; and indeed water supplies are one of the local problems that have to be overcome to maintain the cultivation of tomatoes and potatoes which are the main crop apart from cochineal. Local crafts are still carried on and a visit to Fuerteventura offers a superb opportunity still to witness the kind of simple life that is becoming rare.

Now, in a carefully structured book, John Mercer describes the island and its people, the early history, geography, the customs and crafts and industries by which the inhabitants eke out a spare living. His familiarity with Fuerteventura in all .....................