Venezuela is often presented to Canarians as the "8th Island" of the archipelago, so deep and ancient are the human and emotional ties between the two territories. This popular phrase mostly reflects the scale of Canarian departures to the country over the centuries.
Canarian emigration to Venezuela began first during the colonial period, then intensified again in the 19th century following crises linked to the aftermath of Venezuelan independence. It then experienced a new surge in the 20th century, notably under Franco's dictatorship and during years of strong economic attractiveness for Venezuela.
