This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The island is under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has
less rain than the north. However, just below the airport in the town
of Vecindario there is a large shopping center "Commercial Atlantico" that includes a Carrefour and shopping mall. Vecindario is the town where the "locals" live and there is a significant price decrease from the south. Only a short walk from the shopping mall is an open air shopping mall on Wednesdays in the am hours. In the south there is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island (currently closed to the public until augus 8 2008) as well as many beach resort communities. The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Sonnenland, Maspalomas and Meloneras. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.
