where are the canary islands

The Canary Islands are an archipelago and autonomous community of Spain located in the Atlantic Ocean. They lie about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the northwestern coast of Africa, near the southern border of Morocco. Geographically, they fall between roughly 27°37′ and 29°25′N latitude and 13°20′ and 18°10′W longitude. The islands are closer to Africa than to mainland Europe but politically and culturally part of Spain and the European Union. The Canary Islands consist of seven main islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. They are situated off the northwest African mainland and form the southernmost autonomous community of Spain. The islands are known for their volcanic origins, diverse landscapes, and subtropical climate.