Chinijo Archipelago, Island reserve north of Lanzarote, Spain
The Chinijo Archipelago is a group of islands north of Lanzarote consisting of five main islands: La Graciosa, Montaña Clara, Alegranza, Roque del Este, and Roque del Oeste. These islands spread across a large marine area and together form an important protected zone.
The archipelago became a protected natural park in 1986 when the Spanish government decided to safeguard its marine and land environments. This protection resulted from the need to preserve sensitive ecosystems from damage.
The name Chinijo comes from Canarian Spanish and means small, fitting for this group of islands. This word reflects the local language traditions of the Canary Islands.
La Graciosa is the only inhabited island and can be reached by a ferry ride of about half an hour from the port of Órzola in northern Lanzarote. The other islands are accessible only by special boats or guided tours.
The marine reserve is home to rare bird species like white-faced petrels and Eleonora's falcons that nest in the cliffs. These seabirds make the archipelago an important refuge for specialized species.
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