La OlivaLa Oliva

La Oliva is the northernmost municipality of Fuerteventura Island. It covers a surface area of approximately 356 sq. Km and has a population of some 17,000 inhabitants (2005).

It has been named after the olive tree fields that used to cover this municipality in remote times, when Fuerteventura was not so arid. Today, its landscape is quite different, but the current colour has nothing to envy to the ancient greenish. In fact, many tourists come to enjoy the sun shining on the sand dunes, or the turquoise blue sea.

With respect to places of environmental interest, worthy of note are the Corralejo Dunes: an incredible sea of sand which joins the amazing sea of clear waters at the coastline. This Natural Landscape hosts important unique protected species. The Islote de Lobos is also remarkable, with 4.5 sq. Km in surface. Its name, Wolves Islet, is due to the past colonies of sea wolves which used to live in this area. At present, this little island is house for highly appreciated habitats in perfect state of preservation and great scenic value.

Besides its natural assets, various cultural visits can be paid. We would recommend La Casa de los Coroneles (the Houses of Colonels), founded in 1650, which was the headquarters of the military power, and since the 18th century until 1880 it was also the seat of the civil government. The Centre of Canarian Art, an exhibition space for contemporary art by Canarian artists. The Casa de la Cilla (the House of the Grain), an ancient grain storehouse currently turned into a museum of farming activities related to the grain.