The Chinijo Archipelago () is a small group of islands located in the northeastern part of the Canary Islands. The archipelago includes the islets of Montaña Clara, Alegranza, La Graciosa, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste, of which La Graciosa is the largest and only inhabited island. The term "Chinijo" is a local colloquial adjective meaning "small" reflecting the archipelago's reduced dimensions. The Chinijo Archipelago forms part of the national park Parque natural del Archipiélago established in 1986, and is part of a large marine reserve.
History
The Chinijo Archipelago is primarily of volcanic origin, with its islets formed approximately 10 million years ago by the activity of a corona volcano in northern Lanzarote. French explorer Jean de Béthencourt, who explored Lanzarote in the early 1400s, traversed the waters leading to La Graciosa in the Chinijo Archipelago. The archipelago was declared as part of Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park in 1986, and forms part of one of the largest marine reserves in Europe. The term "Chinijo" is a local colloquial adjective meaning "small" reflecting the archipelago's smaller dimensions.
Geography
thumb|La Graciosa and other islands of Chinijo Archipelago seen from Lanzarote
Chinijo is a small group of islands located in the northeastern part of the Canary Islands. The archipelago includes the islets of Montaña Clara, Alegranza, La Graciosa, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste, of which La Graciosa is the largest and only inhabited island. Regular ferries operated to La Graciosa, while other islands can only be accessed by small fishing boats, and is prohibited to land in these islands. The topography consists of sandy beaches interspersed with volcanic rocks with scattered vegetation consisting of shrubs and succulent plants.