The Canary Islands weren't named for birds

Believe it? It's true.

The islands were named by the Romans and so bore their Latin name: insulae canariae, or "island of dogs."

The Romans, who conquered nearly everything in that part of the world at one time or another, had been to the island and found numerous packs of wild dogs and not much else. Hence, the name.

They were also known as the Fortunate Islands and were sometimes identified with Atlantis.

 Graphics courtesy of ArtToday

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