Clarifying the Administrative Names of the Canary Islands Archipelago

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I have just come back from a one-week holiday in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. This is not a travel blog so I won’t elaborate much on my trip; my goal for this entry is to shed light on the confusing names of the territories you can find in the islands.

The Canary Islands administrative names

First, let’s clarify the administrative division of the Spanish territory. At the top we find the state (Spain), followed by what we call autonomic communities like Andalusia, Catalonia or Galicia. The next divisions are the provinces, like Almería and Seville, being part of Andalusia, or Lerida or Barcelona, part of Catalonia. The smallest division is the council. For example, I live in Roquetas de Mar (council), belonging to the Almería province.

On the origins of the word nepotism and a visit to the Royal Site of San Lorenzo del Escorial

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

If you visit Madrid and stay for longer than two nights, you should take the trip from the city to El Escorial to visit the Royal Site of San Lorenzo del Escorial. By car it’s less than an hour’s trip. Otherwise, take the commuter train from one of the two main stations Atocha or Chamartin and pick line C8a heading northwest. I think by bus the stop leaves you closer to the place, but I’m not so sure on that.

Travel on Antonio Miras Personal Blog

Clarifying the Administrative Names of the Canary Islands Archipelago

The Canary Islands administrative names

On the origins of the word nepotism and a visit to the Royal Site of San Lorenzo del Escorial