Why the name ‘Fuerteventura ?’

Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located off the northwest coast of Africa. The name Fuerteventura means “strong wind” in Spanish, and it is believed to have been named this way due to the strong and constant trade winds that blow across the island.

 

In addition to its strong winds, Fuerteventura is also known for its beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse wildlife, which make it a popular destination for tourists from around the world. The island’s name serves as a reminder of its natural beauty and its rich cultural heritage, and it has become a symbol of its resilience and strength in the face of the elements.

In 1339 the Mallorcan navigator Angelino Dulcert, in the Planisferio de Angelino Dulcert, referred to the island as “Forte Ventura”.

Another theory is that the island’s name derives from “Fortunatae Insulae” (Fortunate Islands), the name by which the Romans knew the Canary Islands.[

The indigenous name of the island, before its conquest in the 15th century, was Erbania, divided into two regions (Jandía and Maxorata), from which the name majorero (originally majo or maxo) derives. However, it has been suggested that, at some point, Maxorata (which meant “the children of the country”) was the aboriginal toponym of the entire island.

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