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Astronomical discovery
Piazzi Smyth discovered that high altitudes in Tenerife are perfect to study celestial bodies. -
First European seawater desalination plant
It was created in Lanzarote, as it's very demanded for irrigation. -
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias
It's close to the heights of Teide, and forms part of the University of La Laguna. There's another one on La Palma (Roque de Los Muchacos observatory). -
Considered a "macro laboratory"
The Canary Islands are home to up to 80% of Spain's ibiodiversity, with its variety of natural resources and plant and animal diversity. -
El Hierro is declared a Biosphere Reserve
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Creation of Gorona del Viento in El Hierro
At the end of the 90s, they started a plan to make the island work 100% with renewable energies. They finished constructing it in 2004. -
Foundation of the Spanish Algae Bank
It was constructed in Gran Canaria, and it has a collection of 1.500 types. -
Lanzarote as a place to train astronauts
NASA and ESA discovered that the surface of Lanzarote is very similar to the surface of Mars. That's why they use the island to train their astronauts, or test the robots they are sending to other planets to discover them. -
Film industry in the islands
By this year, they had already made more than 350 films in the archipelago. Different places in the Canaries were transformed into a desert planet, the Wild West, Ancient Egypt and even scenarios of World War II. -
Volcanic eruption in La Palma
The red, hot, viscous substance advances for 84 days, destroying everything in its path. Many people lost their houses before the lava reaches the sea, which was 10 days after the eruption, and also after. -
New public transport system
Hydroplanes are now used to transport people from Tenerife to La Palma. This industry might increase over the years in the archipelago.