Day 3
Today we went to visit “Parque Rural de Anaga” which is a rural Park with 14418,7 Has. Rural Parks are defined, as parks which not only preserve the environment itself but also the cultural heritage in it, like the traditional settlements (Casas-Cuevas), the manmade terraces, the customs and traditional activities such as livestock breeding (Goats) and subsistence cultivation, local products (cheese, wine, gofio).
The “Guanches”, coming from North Africa were the first who were cultivating the Anaga area because in this area the soils are the most productive ones. They lived in caves near the coast below 400 meters. Their economy was based on raising goats and collecting fruits and seafood.
Due to unpleasant conditions like low accessibility this territory experienced a high emigration starting in the sixties. The people mainly moved to La Laguna and Santa Cruz. Today many of them have their secondary home in Anaga and they return during the weekend for socio-economic reasons.
In 2001 the Rural Park had around 2500 habitants living in 26 settlements. Agriculture remains an important complement to the families budget. They have vineyards, are cultivating potatoes and raise cattle and goats. In addition, they fish. Wine production enabled the establishment of a “Wine-Route” which attracts many tourists.
The region has experienced a huge migration to the nearby urban areas. This has left a massive impact on the local population which gets older every year. To be continued…
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