The island is fertile as a result of the enveloping ocean which supplies fertile volcanic soil. European imperialism had a significant impact on the Mid-Atlantic islands during the colonial periods in a process referred to as Europeanization. Europeanization in this context can be defined as the process of assuming control of the islands and introducing the European lifestyles and practices in all aspects of life on the islands. It is basically displacing the existing practices with new European practices, beliefs and culture. Before the coming of the settlers, the islands were cool with moderate temperatures that were contrary to what one could expect from their latitude (Crosby, 1993, p. 3). These characteristics were very appealing to the Europeans who had no troubles in conquering them because the Gaunches had no
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These plants and animals had not been domesticated on the islands before. The favorable climate favored reproduction of goats and the sheep. Among the crops that were introduced were wheat, sugar and woad which were marketable on the main land and could be shipped to Portugal by the end of 1440s ( Crosby, 1993, p. 5) They also introduced new life forms to the islands, new plants, animals and many other organisms that humans domesticated (Crosby, p. 49). Horses were among the new introduced to the islands inhabited by the Guanches. While they were familiar with small animals such as pigs, and goats, the Guanches had never seen horses. The art of using horses in battle was also new in the islands as people had never seen animals obeying orders in a battle. Horses were used by Europeans in conquering islands that had not been conquered yet (Crosby, 1993, p. 49). Some animals that were introduced to the islands were rather destructive than helpful while some farming approaches greatly destroyed the
These plants and animals had not been domesticated on the islands before. The favorable climate favored reproduction of goats and the sheep. Among the crops that were introduced were wheat, sugar and woad which were marketable on the main land and could be shipped to Portugal by the end of 1440s ( Crosby, 1993, p. 5) They also introduced new life forms to the islands, new plants, animals and many other organisms that humans domesticated (Crosby, p. 49). Horses were among the new introduced to the islands inhabited by the Guanches. While they were familiar with small animals such as pigs, and goats, the Guanches had never seen horses. The art of using horses in battle was also new in the islands as people had never seen animals obeying orders in a battle. Horses were used by Europeans in conquering islands that had not been conquered yet (Crosby, 1993, p. 49). Some animals that were introduced to the islands were rather destructive than helpful while some farming approaches greatly destroyed the