Founded in the year 1478 at the mouth of the ravine Barranco de Guiniguada in the North-eastern part of Gran Canaria island of the Canary Islands on the Atlantic ocean, Las Palmas has always been the capital city. Surrounded by beaches, interspersed with rich architecture that serves as a testimony to the history of the city. Said to have one of the best climates in the world, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is definitely a city worth knowing more about.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the city.
Origin And History | Las Palmas
The city was founded on 24th June 1478 by Juan Rejon, the head of the invading Castilian army, and named “Real de Las Palmas”, attributing to the abundance of palm trees present on the island at that time. The island was visited by Christopher Columbus, who anchored there on his way to the Americas and also on his way back. It survived attacks by Francis Drake that led to the “Battle of Las Palm” in 1595 and also by the Dutch vice-admiral Pieter van der Does in 1599 and was the de facto capital until the seventeenth century.
The city began to grow and develop to what it is in the present in the year 1883 when the development of the seaport began and much of the development is attributed to foreign merchants. The city also benefited greatly from the migration of foreign workers when the Suez Canal was closed during the Suez Crisis. Today, this city is the home of the Canarian Ministry of Presidency along with half of the departments and boards of the Canarian government and the high court is also located here.
Climate, Geography, And The Beaches
Las Palmas is located on the Atlantic Ocean, which classifies its climate to be the “hot desert” type, but in a study conducted by Thomas Whitmore of Syracuse University, it was described to have one of the best climates in the world. Being an island, the city, with a maximum rise of 8m, is surrounded by beaches that help it to have pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
The four main beaches on Las Palmas are El Confital, Las Alcaravaneras, Las Canteras and La Laja. Stretching for 3100m, the Las Canteras is the largest beach in the capital city, that is frequented by both localities and foreign tourists all year round.
The Las Alcaravaneras beach, stretching from a pit of dunes to mountains is famous for offering facilities to play beach sports, court sports, and water sports, whereas the 1200m long Las Laja beach is favoured by surfers for its streams and incoming waves. El Confital is a narrow, volcanic beach with comfortable pathways and spots for relaxation, and every year, qualifying events for world surfing championships are hosted here.
Culture And Architecture | Las Palmas
The largest city in the Canary Islands boasts of a rich culture that is attributed to it being founded back in 1478. Las Palmas has everything from complexes that housed Christopher Columbus to museums dedicated to modern art, from maritime museum to centre of science and technology, and from theatres to exhibition halls, each documenting the history and culture of the city. There are 101 archaeological sites in the neighbourhood of Telde and the neighbourhoods of Vegueta and Triana have been included in a tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It has many famous buildings like Santa Ana Cathedral Casa Museo de Colón, Casa Museo Pérez Galdós, Cuyás Theater, Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Telde, Basílica de San Juan Bautista, Church of San Juan Bautista, Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino and so many others. The Bandama Caldera is located in the Santa Brigada and is of geological significance for having a volcanic caldera. There are also many auditoriums and parks and squares in the city that hosts numerous cultural festivals every year.
Connections And Conventions
Las Palmas, the capital city of Gran Canaria, has a well-established transportation system with an airport and high-quality bus systems present. The city also has a seaport that has contributed and continues to contribute to its development and economy. Being a well-connected island in the Atlantic Ocean also means that city is a highly preferred tourist attraction for people all around the world. There are many shopping centers and souvenir shops in the museums that ensure that tourists can take a part in Las Palmas with them.
The city is home to three major sports teams: UD Las Palmas, CB Gran Canaria, and La Caja de Canarias. The oldest golf club in Spain, Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas, was established here in 1891. It also has a well-developed education system and healthcare facilities.
The city of Las Palmas, home to people who have pioneered their field of work and study, has an economy largely dependent on tourism and the fishing industry. Surrounded by the ocean on all sides, it provides scenic views that are enjoyed by both localities and foreigners. The various historical buildings and neighbourhoods, along with the exhibitions in the museums, paint a picture of everything about Las Palmas. It is the ninth-largest city in the country of Spain with a population of almost 400,000 is bustling with ambience, history and culture.
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