In May 2009, Fuerteventura was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

A Biosphere is an internationally designated conservation area, and is a place to promote sustainable development and promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. There are over 500 in the world.

The Biosphere covers the whole island of Fuerteventura, and extends three miles out to sea, and five miles on the west coast. It´s one of the largest Biosphere Reserves in Spain, and the one with the greatest marine area.

There are 3 main parts to a Biosphere Reserve.

The first part is called the core zone, which is an area strongly protected for the conservation of it´s biological diversity - to make sure that different types of plants and animals are safe from human impact. On Fuerteventura this covers the island of Los Lobos, the sand dunes near Corralejo, most of the North Western and Western coastal regions, Betancuria, the Jandia/Cofete area, and coastal areas around Gran Tarajal and the Malpais Chico and Malpais Grande near Pozo Negro.

The second part is called the buffer zone, which surrounds the core zones and provide a space for environmental research, recreation and tourism. This area covers most of the northern part of the island, except for the built up areas of Corralejo, La Oliva, Villaverde, and El Cotillo. It borders the core zone down the west coast and between the core zone in Jandia and the built up area. There is also a big area covering most of the municipality of Antigua, excluding the existing built up areas.

The third part is called the transition zone for local communities that manage the resources of the area through farming, fishing and non-governmental activities. This covers most of the municipalities of Puerto del Rosario and Tuineje.

Over the past two years an exhibition has been touring around the main towns of Fuerteventura, showing a film, photos and plans.The photos on this page were taken at the exhibition when it was in Puerto del Rosario.

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The Biosphere Exhibition, Fuerteventura

Biosphere Zones Fuerteventura

Protecting the Environment, Fuerteventura.