AN
ISLAND APART. The island of El Hierro is the least
known of the Canary Islands and the smallest, far out
to the west of the archipelago. Tourism has not been
developed on the Island, it has a largely rural economy
until Greenwich took over the role in the in 1884,
El Hierro was the Zero Meridian point. The coastline
is essentially rugged although there are small coves
and natural pools where the waters can be still and
one can view the marvellous aquatic fauna and fish
life.
The
land mass is volcanic and where irrigated
very fertile although the fields have stone
wall 'wind breaks', indeed the high country
is nothing but a patchwork quilt of small
fields and it can be misty and rainy nothing
like a sub tropical Island. The South is
semi arid with pine forests. Diving is
possible in a Marine reserve off La Restinga
in the
South, where there are at least four diving
schools. La Restinga is also the base for
the islands fishing fleet. The Islands
small capital Valverde has a population
of approximately
1600, it is perched 570 metres above sea
level and nestles in what remains of an
ancient volcanic cone. The buildings are
by and large
painted white which does add some harmony
to the place. In the capital there are
a few cafes, doubling up as bars and restaurants.
There are vineyards only seven kilometres
from the capital, to give it it's full
name
La Villa de Santa Maria de Valverde.
