The real Atlantis? Scientists discover lost islands that sank off the coast of the Canary Islands millions of years ago - and claim they could have been the inspiration for the famous legend

Atlantis is the world's most famous fictional island, invented by Greek philosopher Plato 2,300 years ago. The underwater islands, located east of Lanzarote, may have provided inspiration for the myth of Atlantis, the experts say According to a statement, the islands were located east of Lanzarote which is one of the seven main Canary Islands that are located just off the coast of Africa Somoza and colleagues do not specify how exactly Plato – who was alive about 2,300 years ago – would have known about the islands. It's generally believed the story about the world of Atlantis was first told 2,300 years ago by the Greek philosopher Plato It's generally believed the story about the world of Atlantis was first told 2,300 years ago by the Greek philosopher Plato who made it up, but some history fans persist with the idea that it actually existed Land sinking to the seafloor is not unusual; in fact Britain is also surrounded by former islands and coastal spots that are now submerged, many sunk by wild weather events. It's generally believed the story about the world of Atlantis was first told 2,300 years ago by the Greek philosopher Plato who made it up, but some history fans persist with the idea that it actually existed.