Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: European Geography
| Coat of arms | Map |
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| Statistics | |
| Autonomous Region: | Canary Islands |
| Province: | Las Palmas |
| Island: | Gran Canaria |
| Municipality (shown in red) | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
| Capital City of the Island | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (not shown) |
| Area: | 100.55 km² some read 99.77 km² |
| Island Population: | 807,049 (in 2006) |
| City Population: | 376,953 ( ISTAC, 2003) 377,056 (in 2006) |
| City Ranking | #1 in Canaries, #9 in Spain |
| Population density: | 3,778.22/km² |
| Elevation: | Atlantic Ocean 8 m southern part |
| Postal code: | 35000 |
| Location: | |
| ISTAC code: | E-35016 |
| Mayor: | Jerónimo Saavedra ( PSOE) |
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a Spanish city (and municipality) on the island, Gran Canaria, which is one of the Canary Islands located just 210 kilometers (~130 miles) off the northwestern coast of the African continent within the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the capital city of the province of Las Palmas and the 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 9th 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 harbour) - 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.
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." 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 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
| 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 354,877 | 355,563 | 354,860 | 376,953 |
Historical population
| Year | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 354,887 | - |
| 1996 | 355,563 | - |
| 2001 | 354,860 | 3,513.49km² |
| 2002 | 370,649 | - |
| 2003 | 377,760 | 3,755.35/km² |
| 2004 | 376,953 | 3,778.2/km² |
Attractions
Festivals and Museums
- 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 Theatre and Dance Festival
- Fiestas de San Juan
- El WOMAD
- Triana
- Carnavales de Las Palmas
- Gala Drag queen
Parks and Squares
- 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
Roadways
The city is linked with three superhighways including the GC1 to the south, the GC2 to the west and GC3 to the centre of the island.
Airways
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
- Javier Bardem, a famous Spanish actor ( Academy Award-winning)
- Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Former Spanish Minister of Justice)
- Alfredo Kraus, was a Spanish tenor, one of the best tenors in the 20th Century
- Francisco Kraus, Spanish Baritone, and a voice teacher.
- Benito Pérez Galdós, one of the best writers in the 19th Century
- Jerónimo Saavedra (Former Spanish Minister of Education and Science, Minister of Public Administrations of Spain, President of Canaries and now Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
- Antonia San Juan, a Spanish actress, director and screenwriter
- Sven Giegold, a German politician
- Mateo Gil (Writer and Film Director)
- Juan José Armas Marcelo, a Spanish writer
- Marta Marrero, tennis player
- José Viera y Clavijo
- Juan Negrín, politician
- Nicolas Estevanez, military officer, politician and poet
- Magui Serna, tennis player
- Juan Carlos Valerón, football (soccer) player
- Manuel Pablo García Díaz, football (soccer) player
- Antonio Betancort, football (soccer) player. Former goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Deportivo de La Coruña and U.D. Las Palmas