| Arrecife : Capital of Lanzarote |
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Arrecife Since 1852, Arrecife has been the capital of Lanzarote and, with a population of 56,000 (2007), the biggest town on the island and also the seat of government. About half the entire population of the island lives here. The name Arrecife means reef and refers to the coral reef which lies quite near to the coast at this point. At the time when deep sea fishing was still an important industry, the harbour at Arrecife was the home of the Canary Islands fishing fleet. A lot has being done in the last years to improve the town for inhabitants as well for tourist visits. Pedestrian areas have been designed, parking garages and above all the renovation of the ocean promenade. Lots of money was spent to improve the waste water system and drain system of the roads and streets of Arrecife. Always when heavy rainfalls are on Lanzarote, shops, flats and roads of Arrecife started to become very quickly flooded by all the water which could not be drained away.Lovely Waterside Promenade with Parks and interesting historic Sightseeing LocationsThe promenade has already been improved, flowering trees have been planted, and the centre of the town is acquiring a face-lift and general clean-up. Slowly more and more, what was just a jumble of odd buildings, is developing into a town with pleasant streets and squares, shops or lovely cafés, restaurants and tapas bars - where you can find all the busy people of a city.
 The photograph shows the "Charco de San Ginés de Arrecife" - a small lagoon
leading to the heart of the town - filled with small fisher boats and little private motorboats. In the Canary Siesta which is between 13:00 p.m. and 17.00 p.m. Arrecife is like a morgue. Nearly all shops, banks and supermarkets are closed, and the city seems to be empty and abandoned. Arrecife as the capital of Lanzarote can be either visited in the mornings or in the evenings, but in no case in the afternoon! The best time to vist Arrecife with open shops and public departments is from 9.00 a.m. to 13.00 p.m abd again from 17.00 p.m. to about 20.00 p.m.
Arrecife Grand Hotel *****
 The new Grand Hotel - opend in July 2004, is a 5 star hotel and rebuilt out of the unic "skyscaper" of Lanzarote, which was more than 10 years closed after a fire. Now it gives Arrecife a "new face" from the seaside and a new offer of a five star high standard hotel. Next to the Grand Hotel you will find the Arrecife sandy city beach - a nice bay sorrounded by many palm trees.On the outskirts of Arrecife, especially on the northern side of the town, there are industrial complexes with furniture stores, cash-and-carry supermarkets, building firms, carpentry workshops, garage, car repair shop and other industries out of all industrial and trading sectors. On the east side in direction of Costa Teguise you will find IKEA, other furniture supermarkets and also lots of industry halls as well as the Lanzarote harbour with the ferry terminal. 
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