History

At the time of the conquest, the island was divided into two tribes, followers of the king and followers of Ayoze Guizo. The territories of these tribes were Maxorata (north) and Jandia (south), separated by a wall (which still remains) in the isthmus of the wall. The old name of the island, Herbania, refers to this wall.

The island was known long before the Spanish conquest took place.  There had been a series of dispatches from the Mallorcans, Catalans, Portuguese, Genoese, and so on.
The conquest of the islands began in 1402, led by Norman Jean de Bethencourt and Gadifer de la Salle, with 63 sailors from the original 283 following numerous desertions. After arriving and settling in Lanzarote, the expedition carried out the first incursions into the neighboring island.

In 1404, Bethencourt and Gadifer founded Betancuria whose valley became the first settlement of the island and later became the capital, seat of various government bodies and for religious and administrative affairs. Gadifer, facing many difficulties, following the departure of Bethencourt travelled towards the peninsula to seek recognition and support of the king of Castile, and took the initiative of the conquest.

Church Betancuria

A few years later, in 1405, Fuerteventura was brought under control after a period of coexistence between the Aboriginal and the conquerors. The first count of the population was estimated at around 1,200 inhabitants. From there, the population spread gradually.
The island suffered harassment by several pirate raids.

In 1593 the Berber invasion ravaged the island’s capital. To prevent such attacks, several castles were built along the coast, while the population moved away from it. At that time arriving in Fuerteventura, the first Captain General was responsible for defending the island on behalf of the Crown and the appointment of Sergeant Major.  The parish matrix, which depended on the whole island was in Betancuria.

The Militia Regiment was created in 1708 and inherited the powers of Colonel Governor of Weapons, from the family Sanchez-Dumpierrez.  That same year, the Parish Aid Matrix created Parishes and Pajara La Oliva, which would launch in 1711.  On December 17th 1790 the Help Parish Tuineje was established.  In 1780 the economy was introduced into the cultivation of barrilla.

In 1739 war erupts between Great Britain and Spain and the island is again subjected to constant attacks from pirates who captured ships and looted civilians who were then sold on the island of Madeira. On October 13th 1740, an English privateer landed in the area of Great Tarajal, Lieutenant Colonel Umpierrez Sanchez.  The following month, on November 24th, 55 corsairs landed in the same area with identical intentions. This time they faced an army more numerous and better prepared in the Battle of Florida or Llano Tamasite.

In 1812 the Cortes of Cadiz began a series of changes which included the abolition of the lordship, passing the island to the Spanish province of the Canary Islands. It also envisaged the creation of new municipalities, with one in each parish existing in Fuerteventura at the time.

Thus arose Antigua Betancuria, Casillas Del Angel, La Oliva, Pajara and Tetir Tuineje, being dependent on Puerto de Cabras Tetir.  Years later, on December 30th 1834, by decree, they established the town of Puerto Cabras, and independently Tetir started to function on February 1st 1835 with Nieves Lazaro Rugama as first the mayor.

Ten years later, on August 12th 1846 the municipalities of Casillas del Angel, and Puerto de Cabras Tetir ratified the boundary.   Gradually the various institutions of government were established.
After the conquest, the economy of Fuerteventura revolved mainly around the Orchilla, cereal and livestock. The cultivation of Barrilla in 1780 and together with the Orchilla, became the engine of the economy of the island.

The demand for these products led to the growth of Puerto Cabras and development of its port, which was gaining importance in the entry and exit of these and other goods. In the late nineteenth century, the price of cochineal was devalued, causing an economic crisis. Over time, they were losing weight in the economy and giving way to tourism, the economy of virtually all the Canary Islands.

The main activity of the island now is tourism. In recent years, Fuerteventura has acquired major hotels and tourist areas that have given a remarkable impetus to the services sector.   The island had on December 31st 2005 a total of 117 hotels with 46,812 beds, with an occupancy rate of 71.6%.

One consequence of an increasing population and tourists, has been the resulting increase in hotel establishments, with 862 pubs, 135 restaurants and 482 cafes.  Most of the tourists visiting the island do so through the airport and the majority are foreigners, mainly Germans and Britons.  This growth has been accompanied in turn as seen a construction boom.