The pretty island some say is Europe’s most southerly point – or is it Africa

Standing proudly amidst the waves of he Atlantic lies an island that is said to the farthest you can go south and west in the European Union.

El Hierro, nicknamed the Meridian Island, sits at the furthest extent of the Spanish Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean just 78 miles off the coast of North Africa.

But because the archipelago of the Canary Islands is under the control of Spain, many view this island paradise as the most far flung part of Europe, despite it being 870 miles from the Spanish mainland.

More than 4,200 miles away from the sun-kissed black beaches of El Hierro is Europe’s most northerly point which is positioned at a place called Nordkapp at the top of Norway.

Somewhere not likely to attract many visitors at the moment because of the war in Ukraine, is the European continents most easterly point at the top of the Ngodyayakha Mountain, in the Urals National Park, in Russia.

Finally, for those wanting to find another place known as the most southerly part of the European, they can get back to the sunshine and enjoy Cape Trypiti, on Gavdos Island, Greece. The spot is also marked by a handy oversized wooden chair big enough for several people to enjoy a sit down.

El Hierro is the youngest of the volcanic Canary Islands and was formed only around 1.2 million years ago following a series of violent undersea eruptions.

The island has relatively small population compared to its larger Canary cousins with only 11,000 people living their full-time and about 20,000 visitors a year.

In contrast the hugely popular holiday island of Tenerife had more than 6.5 million visitors in 2023.

Volcanic and earthquake activity is still present in the area, and a magnitude 3.0 quake was felt on October 11 around 14 miles off the coast of the island.

Being so remote El Hierro is a haven for wildlife, especially sea birds and marine life, and the Spanish government has announced plans for a 24,000 hectare marine reserve reaching several miles out into the open ocean.

The environment is important to authorities on El Hierro, and last year Euronews reported how the entire population received energy from wind and water power for a remarkable 28 days, setting a world record.