Spanish Conquest
Though the island was known to Europeans prior to 1339, it was not until 1405 that it was conquered by the Spanish. Fuerteventura was the second of the Canary Islands to fall to the Spanish under the leadership of the Norman nobleman, Jean de Bethancourt.
Settlements were first established at Vega de Rio Palmas and Betancuria (which was the first Capital of the Island). A census taken during the 1440's recorded a population of around 1200.
The island suffered many pirate attacks and in 1593 Xaban de Arraez took control of the Island for several months and destroyed Betancuria along with it's church and records.
By the 18th century, the Island had fallen under the control of a Heredity Militia (Los Coronoles) based in La Oliva who were eventually removed in 1834.
In 20th Century
Miguel de Unamuno: In 1924, Spanish Author and Philosopher, Miguel de Unamuno, was exiled to Fuerteventura following his criticism of King Alfonso XII dictator, Primo de Rivera. He spent just a few months on this, at the time, very remote Island before fleeing to France.
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