Natural Environment
The most relevant natural phenomenon in the surroundings is the Arucas volcano (Arucas Mountain), the emissions from which covered a third of the municipal area 300,000 years ago. Its avalanche spread from the crater, at an altitude of 1,236 feet, to the coast, pushing the sea back and creating small capes like Punta de Camello (Camel’s Point), close to El Puertillo. This was also the cause of the formation of a powerful sedimentary area of great agricultural interest: the Arucas Plain.
In the municipality of Arucas, it is still possible to contemplate some corners which preserve part of the original natural beauty, such as the Los Palmitos ravine and the Riquiánez ridge. The Los Palmitos palm grove from which the ravine takes its name certainly makes this a highly attractive corner, enhanced by the elegant silhouette of Canary Island palms. Riquiánez ridge, which was part of the old Doramas Wood, is on the eastern border of the municipality. It was probably used as an outpost and vantage point to defend the island population before the Conquest.
On the other hand, the Arucas coast is in the centre of the northern coast of Gran Canaria. It is 8-3/4 miles long, winding, and is cut off by the mouths of several ravines. This stretch of coast, up to an altitude of 300 feet above sea level, has the form of a raised platform, and cliffs are therefore predominant.
