Coca-Cola celebrates 70 years in the Canary Islands

Coca-Cola is celebrating 70 years of presence in the Canary Islands, marking its history from the opening of its first factory in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1955. However, historical investigations suggest the company's relationship with the islands may date back significantly further than the current official commemoration.

Parallel to the history of the beverage, the cultural phenomenon of mixing wine with Coca-Cola—known as 'kalimotxo' in the Basque Country—shares a similar timeline with the drink 'bambus' in the former Yugoslavia. While kalimotxo originated in Getxo in the 1970s, the Yugoslavian version emerged around the same time following the introduction of Coca-Cola to the region, which began local production in Zemun in 1968.