Jump to content

Las Palmas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 85.211.65.180 (talk) at 00:49, 23 February 2008 (→‎External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Template:Redirect6

Coat of arms Map
Statistics
Autonomous Region: Canary Islands
Province: Las Palmas
Island: Gran Canaria
Area: 100.55 km²
some reads 99.77 km²
Population: 376,953 (ISTAC, 2003)
Population density: 3,778.22/km²
Elevation: Atlantic Ocean
8 m
southern part
Postal code: 35000
Location: 28°08′06″N 15°26′06″W / 28.135°N 15.435°W / 28.135; -15.435
ISTAC code: E-35016
Mayor: Jerónimo Saavedra (PSOE)

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a Spanish city, the capital city of Gran Canaria which is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, 210 kilometers located off the northwestern coast of Africa. It is also the capital of the province of Las Palmas and co-capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, sharing this status with Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The population of the city of Las Palmas was 377,056 as of 2006, making it the largest city in the Canary Islands and the eighth most populous city in Spain. The population of the whole urban area was estimated in 2005 to be 723,629, ranking as the eighth largest metropolitan area in Spain. (Gran Canaria island had 807,049 inhabitants in 2006).

History

The city was founded on June 24, 1478, with the name "Real de Las Palmas" by Juan Rejón, head of the invading Castilian army, before engaging in war with the local Guanches (aboriginal people of the Canary Islands). In 1492, Christopher Columbus anchored in the Port of Las Palmas (and spent some time on the island) on his first trip to the Americas. He also stopped on the way back to Spain. Today, a museum is named after him - Casa Colón- in the Vegueta area of the city.

Las Palmas is today a cosmopolitan city. It has three beaches (Las Canteras, Las Alcaravaneras and San Cristobal) and a big sea-port (Puerto de la Luz harbor) - a very important on during the 70s and early 90s (that benefited greatly from the closure of the Suez Canal during the Arab-Israeli conflict). Due to its situation as nexus of three continents and its importance as a touristic spot, many foreign workers have migrated and settled in the city. Merchants and traders from Africa, China, Russia and the Middle East mingle with one other in the streets of the city's business centers. The Korean and Indian communities are the largest ones, although the majority have been acquiring Spanish citizenship over the years.

View of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from La Isleta

According to a study carried out by Thomas Whitmore, director of research on climatology at Syracuse University (USA), the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria enjoys "the best climate in the world."[citation needed] The main City Festival (Fiestas de San Juan) is in June, celebrating the foundation of the City.

The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[1] is also widely known not only in Spain but worldwide, one of the main attractions for tourists.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a sister city of San Antonio, Texas in the United States, which was founded in 1718 by about 25 Canary Islanders.

Demographics

Template:Demography 4col

Historical population

Year Population Density
1991 354,887 -
1996 355,563 -
2001 354,863 3,513.49km²
2002 370,649 -
2003 377,760 3,755.35/km²
2004 376,953 3,778.2/km²

Attractions

Cathedral of Canary islands in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  • Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
  • Teatro Pérez Gáldos
  • Paseo Playa de Las Canteras
  • Museo de las Ciencias ELDER
  • Gabinete Literario
  • Museo Casa Colón
  • Museo CAAM Centro de Arte Moderno
  • Museo Canario
  • Castillo de la Luz
  • Museo Nestor
  • Centro de Teatro insular
  • Teatro Cuyas
  • CICCA
  • International Film Festival
  • International Theater and Dance Festival
  • Fiestas de San Juan
  • El WOMAD
  • Triana
  • Carnavales de Las Palmas
  • Gala Drag queen

Parks and Squares

Las Canteras beach
  • Parque de Santa Catalina
  • Parque Doramas
  • Parque Juan Pablo II
  • Parque de la Mayordomia
  • Plaza Santa Ana
  • Plaza de La Feria
  • Plaza de España
  • Parque San Telmo
  • Fuente Luminosa
  • Plaza de Las Ranas
  • Plaza de Canarias
  • Triana
  • Avenida Mésa y López
  • Avenida Maritima
  • Playa de Las Canteras
  • Playa de las Alcaravaneras
  • El Confital

Transportation

The city is linked with three superhighways including the GC1 to the south, the GC2 to the west and GC3 to the center of the island. The nearest airport is the Gran Canaria International Airport or the Las Palmas - Gando International Airport located 18 km from the capital.

Notable Natives and Residents

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.


North: Atlantic Ocean
West: Arucas Las Palmas de Gran Canaria East: Atlantic Ocean
South: Santa Brígida and Telde
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Las_Palmas&oldid=193393614"