The volcanic nature of Tenerife is easy to recognise: human settlements are either hugging the coast or lean against the steep slopes. Mount Teide, with its peak Pico del Teide at a remarkable height of 3718m above sea level dominates the island. It is an active volcano, yet it hasn’t even coughed for more than hundred years now. What we see on this picture, though, is not the volcano: the capital city Santa Cruz de Tenerife is safely away from the volcano.  Notice how the buildings are cramped together near the shore, avoiding the steep slopes but partially embracing them.  

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