The municipality of Betancuria is situated in the centre of the island of Fuerteventura. The reason for its location away from the coast was one of defence. At the time the island was subject to numerous pirate attacks. The conqueror of the island Jean de Bethencourt searched for a location that would be hard to reach by the threatening pirates. Thus Betancuria was founded up in the mountains in the centre of the island for maximum defence and protection. Despite all the precautions in 1593 Betancuria found itself under attack from berber pirates who burned the majority of the town including most of the church. The town was rebuilt and remained the capital of the island until the 19th century.
Betancuria is located in a small valley found between the mountains. It covers a total area of 103 km squared and is part of a significant mountain range that holds some of the oldest natural resources of the island.
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