What's the history of the Canary Islands? I'd like to understand how they were originally settled, the times just before and after Spain took over, and also the last hundred years
The Canary Islands are a group of seven volcanic islands located off the northwest coast of Africa. The islands were originally settled by the Guanches, a group of indigenous people who arrived around 2,500 BCE. The Guanches lived in relative isolation until the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century.

In 1402, the Spanish began their conquest of the Canary Islands, which lasted until 1496. During this time, the Guanches were gradually displaced and their culture was largely destroyed. The Spanish colonizers brought with them Catholicism, which became the dominant religion of the islands.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Canary Islands became an important stopover point for Spanish ships traveling to the Americas. The islands also became a center for the production of sugar, wine, and other agricultural products, which were exported to Europe and the Americas.

In the 19th century, the Canary Islands experienced significant economic growth, thanks to the development of the banana trade. The islands also became a popular tourist destination, with visitors drawn to the islands' mild climate and natural beauty.

In 1927, the first airport was built on the island of Gran Canaria, which helped to further develop the tourism industry. In the decades that followed, the Canary Islands continued to grow as a tourist destination, with new hotels, resorts, and other infrastructure built to accommodate the influx of visitors.

Today, the Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain, with a population of around 2.2 million people. The islands' economy is largely dependent on tourism, with visitors drawn to the islands' beaches, natural parks, and cultural attractions. The Canary Islands are also known for their unique flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else in the world.