Since October 1, more than 5,000 people have landed on the islands, a figure that has forced the Spanish government to organize transfers to the mainland
What do you mean by going straight to the mainland? Most of Spain is separated from Africa by the strait of Gibraltar, where waters are remarkably dangerous.
Some people attempt to reach Spain by land via Ceuta or Melilla, two Spanish towns that are geographically located in Africa across the strait. The border between these two towns and Morocco is rather heavily protected, though, precisely to discourage people from entering illegally.
The Canary Islands have been part of Spain for centuries. Thus, once you reach them you are inside Spain, the EU and the Schengen area.
Ok but why risk the open ocean when you could just go straight to the mainland and achieve the same result?
What do you mean by going straight to the mainland? Most of Spain is separated from Africa by the strait of Gibraltar, where waters are remarkably dangerous.
Some people attempt to reach Spain by land via Ceuta or Melilla, two Spanish towns that are geographically located in Africa across the strait. The border between these two towns and Morocco is rather heavily protected, though, precisely to discourage people from entering illegally.