El Rubicón is a flat gravel plain located at the southernmost end of the island of

Lanzarote Lanzarote (, , ) is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, off the north coast of Africa and from the Iberian Peninsula. Covering , Lanzarote is the fourth-largest of the islands in the archipelago. With 163,230 inhabi ...

in the Yaiza municipality. The plain is to the south of the 'Los Ajaches' range of hills and the lava fields of

Timanfaya Timanfaya National Park () is a Spanish List of Spanish national parks, national park in the southwestern part of the island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. It covers parts of the municipalities Tinajo (municipality), Tinajo and Yaiza (munici ...

national park.

Etymology

The typonym 'El Rubicón' is derived from the Latin word 'rubicundus' (red or ruddy). This probably comes from the colour of the surrounding landscape or perhaps a specific association with Montaña Roja, a red-coloured hill in the area, formed from a dormant volcanic caldera.

Natural Environment

The El Rubicón plain is an arid, environment with sparse vegetation. The area, however, is popular with birdwatchers as it attracts a broad range of species.

Human Environment

In the south east of El Rubicón, one of the earliest bishoprics in the Canaries, San Marcial del Rubicón, was founded by the French adventurer,

Jean de Béthencourt Jean de Béthencourt (; 1362–1425) was a French explorer who in 1402 led an expedition to the Canary Islands, landing first on the north side of Lanzarote. From there he conquered for Castile the islands of Fuerteventura (1405) and El H ...

at the start of the fifteenth century. At San Marcial's site, near Papagayo beach, the establishment's original medieval wells can still be seen. The southern end of El Rubicón is now dominated by the tourist resort of

Playa Blanca Playa Blanca (Spanish language, Spanish for "White Beach") is the southernmost town of the Spain, Spanish island of Lanzarote. It is the newest resort on the island, and is part of the municipality of Yaiza (municipality), Yaiza. Approximately ...

. This ribbon development extends some nine kilometres along the coast between the ' Faro de Pechiguera' in the west to the Sandos Papagayo hotel in the east.

References

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