| Gran Canaria | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Gran Canaria |
|
| Geography | |
 |
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | |
| Archipelago | Canary Islands |
| Area | 1,560 km² |
| Highest point | Pico de Las Nieves 1,949 m |
| Administration | |
 Spain |
|
| Autonomous Community | Canary Islands |
| Province | Las Palmas |
| Largest city | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (376,953) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 802,257 (as of 2005) |
| Density | 514/km² |
Gran Canaria (in English, "Grand Canary") is a island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from the northwest coast of Africa and is in Spain. The Canary Islands ( English pronunciation kəˈnæriː ˈaɪləndz Spanish: Islas Canarias, ˈizlas kaˈnarjas are a Spanish Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Canary Islands ( English pronunciation kəˈnæriː ˈaɪləndz Spanish: Islas Canarias, ˈizlas kaˈnarjas are a Spanish In addition to its autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty Provinces. Las Palmas is a province of Spain, consisting of the eastern part of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands ( English pronunciation kəˈnæriː ˈaɪləndz Spanish: Islas Canarias, ˈizlas kaˈnarjas are a Spanish An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. Tenerife (previously known and spelled as "Teneriffe" in English before mass tourism adopted the Spanish spelling a Spanish Island, is the largest Fuerteventura, a Spanish Island, is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The island is of volcanic origin, mostly made of fissure vents. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the A fissure vent, also known as a volcanic fissure or simply fissure, is a linear Volcanic vent through which Lava erupts usually without any
The island was populated by the Canarios, who may have arrived as early as 500 BC. See also Canary Islands in pre-colonial times Guanches (also Guanchis or Guanchos) now extinct as a distinct people were the first known The Canarios called the island Tamarán. It was claimed by Spain in the 15th century. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.
Gran Canaria's surface is 1,560 km² and its maximum altitude is 1,949 meters (Pico de Las Nieves). It has a round shape, with a diameter of approximately 50 km.
It is divided into twenty-one municipalities:
The island has a population of 820,257 with 378,628 (year 2005) of those in the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is a list of the municipalities in the province of Las Palmas in the Autonomous community of the Canary Islands, Spain. Geography and Information Location Latitude 28083 (28°5' N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 278833 (27°53' N Longitude 15433 (15°26' W Altitude Lowest Atlantic Geography and Information Location Latitude 2802 (28°1'15' N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 2911667 (29°7" N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 281 (28°6" N Longitude 1555 (15°33' W Altitude Lowest northern Geography and Information Location Latitude 28133 (28°8' N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 2791667 (27°55' N Longitude 1541667 (15°25' W Altitude Lowest Geography Location Latitude 278667 (27°52' N Longitude 157883 (15°43' W Altitude Lowest Geography and Information Location Latitude 2811667 (27°8' N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 2785 (27°51' N Longitude 1565 (15°33' W Altitude Lowest Atlantic Geography Location Latitude 279 (27°54' N Longitude 1595 (15°57' W Altitude Lowest Atlantic Ocean Geography Location Latitude 28033 (28°2' N Longitude 135 (13°30' W Altitude Lowest about Geography Location Latitude 2785 (27°51' N Longitude 1557 (15°28' W Altitude Lowest Geography and Information Location Latitude 28133 (28°8' N Longitude 15 Geography and Information Location Latitude 28 (28°0' N Longitude 15 Telde is sometimes confused with Spain's and the Canary Island's tallest mountain Teide. Geography and Information Location Latitude 2805 (28°3' N Longitude 15 Geography Location Latitude 2801 (28°1' N Longitude 1555 (15°33' W Altitude Lowest Geography Location Latitude 2801667 (28°1' N Longitude 1551667 (15°31' W Altitude Lowest Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the biggest city of the Canary Islands, also the capital of the province of Las Palmas, and also one of the two capitals of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In addition to its autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty Provinces. Las Palmas is a province of Spain, consisting of the eastern part of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Canary Islands ( English pronunciation kəˈnæriː ˈaɪləndz Spanish: Islas Canarias, ˈizlas kaˈnarjas are a Spanish See also Santa Cruz de Tenerife (province. Historical population In 1990 the population slowly boomed above the 200000 mark falling
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History
The capital city of Las Palmas was founded on June 24, 1478, with the name "Real de Las Palmas" by Juan Rejón, head of the invading Castilian army. Juan Rejón (d 1481 was an Aragonese captain in the service of the Castilian navy who was appointed by the Catholic Kings to participate in the conquest Kingdom of Castile was one of the medieval kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. 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. Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer
Transportation
Gran Canaria has highways encircling the whole island and extending into the mountain areas. In the late 20th century, its superhighways, among the first in the Canary Islands, were opened and ran around Las Palmas, and were later extended to the north coast and the airport and subsequently to the south coast to account for increased tourist traffic. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on The superhighways are GC1, GC2, and GC31, and dual carriageways GC4 and GC5. The GC1 is a superhighway (or motorway on the island of Gran Canaria. The GC-2 (also the GC2) North Highway in Gran Canaria ( Canary Islands) A dual carriageway or divided highway is a road or Highway in which the two directions of traffic are separated by a central barrier or strip of land known as a The western and the northwestern parts, with the fewest tourists, are linked only with highways.
The International Airport of Gran Canaria-Gando is the only airport on Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria Airport, formerly known as Gando Airport, in Spanish Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria, is an airport located on Gran Canaria Island It has so many aircraft and passengers passing through it each year that it is placed as one of the busiest in Spain. Gran Canaria also hosts the responsibility of controlling all air traffic of The Canaries.
The most important ports in Gran Canaria are The Port of La Luz, in the city of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria; Arguineguín's Port, which exports cement from a large factory; and Arinaga's Port, placed in the major industrial zone of Canaries and one of the major ones of Spain.
The ports which transport the most passengers are the Port of La Luz and the Port of Las Nieves, placed in the municipality of Agaete
Public transport on the island is provided by an extensive network of buses (Guaguas) and run by GLOBAL and Guaguas Municipales who operate a fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses. Geography and Information Location Latitude 28083 (28°5' N Longitude 15 Drivers are helpful and the mix of tourists and 'locals' (especially in the resort areas) makes for an interesting ride, not to mention it being one of the best ways to actually see the island.
Plans for a Railway network linking the capital with the South have been approved by both the Gran Canaria Cabildo and the Canary Islands Government, though the discussion with the central Spanish Government hinges now on budget.
Tourism
This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The island is under protection as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. A biosphere reserve is an international Conservation designation given by UNESCO under its Programme on United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established on November 16
The number of annual visitors is 2. 2 million (2,200,000). Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island.
The north tends to be cooler while the south is warmer and sunny. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous.
The island possesses 32[1] Natural Protected Spaces, that they emphasize the Rural Park of Nublo, Doramas's Jungle, the Ravine of Azuaje, Tamadaba, Pino Santo, etc.
Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. However, just below the airport in the town of Vecindario there is a large shopping center "Commercial Atlantico" that includes a Carrefour and shopping mall. Vecindario is the town where the "locals" live and there is a significant price decrease from the south. Only a short walk from the shopping mall is an open air shopping mall on Wednesdays in the am hours. In the south there is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island (currently closed to the public until further notice) as well as many beach resort communities. Palmitos Park is a large 200000 m² Botanical garden and Aviary on the island of Gran Canaria, one of the Canary islands, which are a part The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Sonnenland, and Maspalomas where most tourists visit. San Agustin ( Spanish for Saint Augustine) is the first of the towns located near the Maspalomas dunes Playa del Inglés ( Spanish for " Englishman 's Beach" is a town in the south coast of the island of Gran Canaria. Sonnenland is a district of Playa del Inglés in the south of Gran Canaria, set on a hillside above Maspalomas. Maspalomas is the oldest touristic town in the south coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.
In Tarajalillo an Aeroclub exists from where tourist flights can be taken over the island.
Playa del Inglés is a popular destination for European gay tourists with bars, restaurants and businesses centered primarily in the Yumbo Centrum shopping center. Playa del Inglés ( Spanish for " Englishman 's Beach" is a town in the south coast of the island of Gran Canaria. In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. A shopping mall or shopping centre is a building or set of buildings that contain Retail units with interconnecting Walkways enabling visitors A wonderful beach is found near the Maspalomas Dunes. Maspalomas is known throughout the world for its lighthouse, lagoon and magnificent beach.
Still further to the west along the southern shore, in the Municipality of Mogán, are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account of its many canals. Puerto Rico is a specially constructed holiday resort situated on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria. Puerto de Mogán is a picturesque resort and fishing village in the municipality of Mogán, set at the mouth of a steep-sided valley on the southwest coast of the island
Other attractions include Reptilandia Park, Cocodrilos Park, Roque Nublo (an 80m monolith), Cenobio de Valerón with about 290 caves, Cueva Pintada the most important archaeological park in Canary Islands and the botanical gardens Jardin Canario (in Tafira Alta) and Cactualdea (in La Aldea de San Nicolás). Roque Nublo ( Spanish meaning the "Rock Clouded" is a Monolith feature that is 80 m tall El Dedo de Dios, or "God's Finger" was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves, and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands until it was destroyed by Tropical Storm Delta, that crossed the archipelago on November 2005 [1]. El Dedo de Dios (translated God's finger) was a famous rock structure in the Atlantic Ocean located in the northern part of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas Tropical Storm Delta was a late-forming tropical storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season which struck the Canary Islands as a strong Extratropical storm With its numerous off shore underwater attractions, scuba diving centres, guides and courses are readily available to take in the full beauty of the island.
Other famous rock formations are El Cura (also known as El Fraile), The Frog (La Rana), Bentayga, the Roque de Gando, and the Peñón Bermejo. The highest peak of the island is the Pico de las Nieves, with 1. 950 m
The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the north of the island, has a vibrant city life. Las Canteras Beach lies in the heart of the city. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also known for its annual Carnaval. Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March It was the first stop of Christopher Columbus' expedition on his way back from the Americas, a commemoration of which is the Hermitage of San Antonio Abad, where the navigator prayed, and the Casa de Colón. Other attractions in the capital city include the Museo Canario (the most important archaeology museum in the archipelago), the Cathedral and the Plaza del Espíritu Santo.
The town of Agüimes, on the eastern part of the island, has been carefully restored, and its town centre, centered around its old church and a peaceful square, now evokes the quiet living of a traditional Canarian town. Geography Location Latitude 278833 (27°53' N Longitude 15433 (15°26' W Altitude Lowest Atlantic The district also has some of the best preserved cave dwellings, in the protected area of the Guayadeque Ravine, where even the church has been built into the hillside and visitors can find a number of popular cave restaurants. The district also includes the most renowned scuba diving area on the island: the marine reserve at the playa de El Cabrón just outside the town of Arinaga.
Other important towns are Telde and Vecindario (within the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana) and Gáldar. Telde is sometimes confused with Spain's and the Canary Island's tallest mountain Teide. Geography and Information Location Latitude 28133 (28°8' N Longitude 15 In Arucas there is a magnificent Neogothic temple, popularly known as "Arucas' Cathedral", as well as a large fertile plain where bananas are grown. Geography Location Latitude 2911667 (29°7" N Longitude 15 In Gáldar and its surroundings there is also a banana-growing plain and some remarkable archaeological remains, such as Cueva Pintada or Cenobio de Valerón's communal silos, ancient tombs, and the port of Sardina del Norte (one of the island's ports where, as in Las Palmas', Christopher Columbus used to get supplies for his ships). Geography and Information Location Latitude 28133 (28°8' N Longitude 15 Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer In Teror is kept the catholic image of Virgen del Pino, the patron saint of the Canary Islands. The Virgen del Pino (or "Virgin of the Pine" is the patron of the Diocese of the Canary Islands (province of Las Palms, Canary Islands)
Heading west along the southern coast is the fishing city of Arguineguín in the Municipality of Mogán. Arguineguín ( Guanche for "quiet water" also Arguinegín is one of the most populated towns along the south coast of Gran Canaria, Geography Location Latitude 278667 (27°52' N Longitude 157883 (15°43' W Altitude Lowest The market, which is held on Tuesdays, is the largest on the island.
See also
References
- ^ [http://www.gobcan.es/cmayot/espaciosnaturales/informacion/grancan_todo.html Espacios Naturales Protegidos de Gran Canaria Font: Gobierno de Canarias
External links
- Gran Canaria Official Website
- Gran Canaria travel guide from Wikitravel
- Biosphere reserve of Gran Canaria
- Museum and archaeological park Cueva Pintada
- Webcam Gran Canaria
- Gran Canaria Info Guide to the Island in English and Spanish
- Pictures of Gran Canaria
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