Skip to content
Autonomous community

Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands is home to 2,249,976 people in 2 provinces and 88 municipalities covering 2,875 sq mi. It’s Spain’s 7th most populous autonomous community and the 13th largest. Its highest point is Mount Teide, at 12,188 ft (3,715 m).

Population (2025)
2,249,976
+7.1% since 2015
Area
2,875 sq mi
13th largest region
Provinces and municipalities
2 · 88
Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Density
783 people/sq mi
Spain: 251 people/sq mi
Highest provincial capital
135 ft
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Highest point
12,188 ft
Mount Teide

Map of the Canary Islands by province

Las Palmas · 1,167,555 people Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 1,082,421 people
The 2 provinces of the Canary Islands
Province Population Area Municipalities Capital Highest point
Las Palmas 1,167,555 1,571 sq mi 34 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · 16 ft Morro de La Agujerada · 6,430 ft
Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1,082,421 1,303 sq mi 54 Santa Cruz de Tenerife · 135 ft Mount Teide · 12,188 ft

Population

The Canary Islands had 2,249,976 residents on January 1, 2025, 7.1% more than in 2015 (2,100,306). Density is 783 people/sq mi, against a Spanish average of 251 people/sq mi.

The most populous province is Las Palmas, with 1,167,555 people, and the least, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with 1,082,421. The largest municipality is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with 381,868.

By area, the largest province is Las Palmas, at 1,571 sq mi, and the smallest, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, at 1,303 sq mi. Santa Cruz de Tenerife has the most municipalities (54) and Las Palmas the fewest (34). On average, a municipality in the Canary Islands has 25,568 residents, against 6,040 across Spain.

Elevation

Of its 2 provincial capitals, the highest is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, at 135 ft, and the lowest is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at 16 ft: a difference of 118 ft.

According to the IGN’s summit table, the highest point in the Canary Islands is Mount Teide, at 12,188 ft (3,715 m), in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province. Other peaks with a page in the Canary Islands or on its border: Roque de los Muchachos (7,966 ft).

The Canary Islands has 10 cities with an elevation page (the provincial capitals and every municipality with more than 50,000 people).

Cities in the Canary Islands with an elevation page

  1. San Bartolomé de Tirajana 2,910 ft
  2. Santa Lucía de Tirajana 2,267 ft
  3. Granadilla de Abona 2,103 ft
  4. Arona 2,064 ft
  5. San Cristóbal de La Laguna 1,798 ft
  6. Adeje 974 ft
  7. Telde 381 ft
  8. Santa Cruz de Tenerife 135 ft
  9. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 16 ft
  10. Arrecife 10 ft

Tools and maps

Blank map of the Canary Islands Blank, labeled or numbered, on Letter, A4 or A3. Provinces of the Canary Islands quiz Find each province on a blank map, no sign-up. Map of a Spanish province Pick a province and see every municipality with its population. Spain provinces and municipalities data map Population, area and density on a color-coded map.

Frequently asked questions

How many provinces does the Canary Islands have?

2: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

What is the population of the Canary Islands?

2,249,976, according to the INE’s municipal register on January 1, 2025. It’s Spain’s 7th most populous region.

What is the highest point in the Canary Islands?

Teide, at 12,188 ft (3,715 m), in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province, according to the IGN’s summit table.

Which provincial capital in the Canary Islands is the highest?

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, at 135 ft (41 m). The lowest is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at 16 ft (5 m).

Sources

  • Population: our own work with data from the INE website (www.ine.es), municipal register on January 1, 2025 (updated 12/11/2025).
  • Area, boundaries, elevations and highest points: Spain’s National Geographic Institute, IGN (CC BY 4.0 ign.es).

Reviewed October 31, 2026 · Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know