The Autonomy Process:

The autonomy process in the Canary Islands is as old as its incorporation into the Spanish kingdom. Immediately after the Conquest a self-governing regime was set up on the Archipelago based on the islands councils.

The island councils, grouped together in a confederation, constituted a historical and political region in the Archipelago equivalent to the old kingdoms of peninsular Spain.

In the draft Federal Constitution of 1873 the Canary Islands appeared as a member of the federation on an equal footing with the peninsular States.

On March 17th, 1978, the Canary Islands obtained their preautonomy status, which brought together the whole Archipelago. After the coming into force of the Autonomy Statute, on August 16th, 1982, the Canarian Parliament was set up, with its seat in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The Canary Islands were set up as an Autonomous Community under Organic Law 10/1982, August 10th (B.O.E. 16-8-82).