The Canary Islands lie near the northern coast of Africa surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The islands autonomous region is made up of seven large islands: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, la Gomera and el Hierro. And other smaller ones, such as Graciosa, Alegranza and Lobos. The coasts are blessed with vast sandy beaches full of outstanding reefs, capes and bays. Nevertheless in some areas along the western and northern coasts of Gran Canaria, there are many cliffs and steep rock faces. The Canary Islands is characterised by its volcanic scenery. This can be divided into three different regions: the central islands, the eastern islands and the western islands. The volcanic activity of the past has created a most peculiar landscape on the islands, with craters, volcanic cones, volcanic rocks, tubes etc. The island's most emblematic natural landscape has to be mount Teide which, standing at 3,718 metres high, is the tallest mountain in Spain. In order of importance are Blanca Mountain (2,743 metres) and Viejo peak (3,100 metres). The island's geography and low rainfall ensure that there are no major rivers of note.