Macizo de Teno facts for kids
The Teno Massif (called Macizo de Teno in Spanish) is a large group of mountains formed by volcanoes. It is one of three main volcanic areas that created the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. You can find it in the northwest part of the island. It sits between the towns of Santiago del Teide, Los Silos, El Tanque, and Buenavista del Norte.
This volcanic mountain range started forming about 5 to 7 million years ago. It has many deep valleys and ravines. The mountains end suddenly at the sea, forming huge cliffs known as Los Gigantes (The Giants). These cliffs drop straight down into the ocean. Several small villages like Masca, Teno Alto, Los Carrizales, El Palmar, Las Portelas, and Las Lagunetas are found here. They still keep the old farming traditions of the Canary Islands alive.
Contents
Teno Rural Park: A Special Place
The Teno Massif is part of the Teno Rural Park. This park covers a large area of about 8,063 hectares (that's over 19,900 acres!). It is famous for its dark, volcanic rocks formed from basalt lava. The park also has a huge variety of plants and flowers. This is because the island has many different small climates, called microclimates.
Amazing Forests and Plants
Some parts of the park, like Monte del Agua and Laderas del Baracán, are known for their special forests. These are called laurel forests. They are very old and unique, found only in the Macaronesia region (which includes the Canary Islands). Near the coast, you can find plants like Euphorbia balsamifera and a type of thistle called Carthamus lanatus.
Wildlife of Teno Massif
The Teno Massif is home to many interesting animals. The European Union has named this area a special zone. This is to protect and help the large groups of pigeons that live in the laurel forests. These pigeons are very important to the ecosystem.
Birds of Prey and Marine Life
You can often spot amazing birds of prey flying high above the Teno Massif. These include Ospreys, different types of hawks, kestrels, and barbary falcons. The westernmost tip of Tenerife is called Punta de Teno. This area is famous for its marine life and is one of the best places for diving around the island.
Ancient History of Teno
The Teno Massif also holds secrets from the past. You can find old stone buildings and ruins here. These were built by the Guanches, who were the first people to live on the island of Tenerife. These archaeological sites tell us about their ancient way of life.
