Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
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| Las Palmas | |||||
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| View of Las Palmas | |||||
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| Location | |||||
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| Coordinates : 28°13′N 15°43′W / 28.217°N 15.717°WCoordinates: 28°13′N 15°43′W / 28.217°N 15.717°W | |||||
| Administration | |||||
| Country | Spain | ||||
| Autonomous Community | Canary Islands | ||||
| Province | Las Palmas | ||||
| Administrative Divisions | 5 | ||||
| Mayor | Jerónimo Saavedra (PSOE) | ||||
| Geography | |||||
| Land Area | 100.55 km² | ||||
| Altitude | 8 m AMSL | ||||
| Population | |||||
| Population | 381,123 (2008) | ||||
| - rank in Spain: | 9 | ||||
| Density | 3,790 hab./km² (2008) | ||||
| General information | |||||
| Native name | Las Palmas (Spanish) | ||||
| Spanish name | Las Palmas | ||||
| Time zone | WET (UTC +0) | ||||
| - summer | WEST (UTC +1) | ||||
| Postal code | 35001-35020 | ||||
| Website | http://www.laspalmasgc.es | ||||
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria aka Las Palmas is the capital (jointly with the Santa Cruz) and most populous city of the Autonomous Community of Canary Islands and the ninth largest city in Spain, with a population of 381,123 in 2008. It is the fifth-most populous urban area in Spain with the population 700,000[1] and (depending on sources) ninth or tenth-most populous metropolitan area in Spain with the population 625,892[2], 640,000[3] or 741,826[4]. Located in northeast of the island of Gran Canaria, about 210 kilometers (~130 miles) off the northwestern coast of the African continent within the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a study carried out by Thomas Whitmore, director of research on climatology at Syracuse University (USA), the city of Las Palmas enjoys "the best climate in the world" [5][6][7].
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[edit] 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 de Gran Canaria is today a cosmopolitan city. It has five beaches (Las Canteras, Las Alcaravaneras, San Cristobal, El Confital and La Laja) and a big seaport (Puerto de la Luz harbor) that was very important during the 70s and early 90s (and benefited greatly from the closure of the Suez Canal during the Arab-Israeli conflict). Due to its situation as nexus of two continents and its importance as a touristic spot, many foreign workers have migrated and settled in the city.
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[2] 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.
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This section requires expansion. |
[edit] Administrative divisions
Las Palmas is divided administratively into five districts, which in turn are subdivided into districts, not necessarily consistent with the traditional neighborhoods.
| No | District | Population[8] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vegueta, Cono Sur y Tafira | 73,243 |
| 2 | Centro | 88,546 |
| 3 | Puerto-Canteras | 71,412 |
| 4 | Ciudad Alta | 101,684 |
| 5 | Tamaraceite-San Lorenzo | 39,191 |
[edit] Climate
Las Palmas has a Subtropical climate, with warm dry summers and moderately warm winters. Its average annual temperature is 20°C (68 °F): 23°C (75 °F) during the day and 17°C (63 °F) at night. In the coldest month - January, the typically temperature ranges from 18-21°C (64-70°F) during the day, 14-15°C (57-59°F) at night, the average sea temperature is 18°C (64°F). In the warmest months - August and September, the typically temperature during the day ranges from 24-28°C (75-82°F), above 20°C (68°F) at night, the average sea temperature is 23°C (73°F). Average number of days per year above 32°C (90°F) is only 3-4 (average 1 in July, 1 in August and 1 in September). Average morning relative humidity: 74%, average evening relative humidity: 60%[9]. Sunshine hours is till 2,776 per year, from 186 in December and January (6 hours of sunshine every day) to 310 in July (10 hours of sunshine every day)[10]. Average precipitation days per year is only 33, precipitation per year is only 13.3 cm (inches: 5.2)[11].
According to a study carried out by Thomas Whitmore, director of research on climatology at Syracuse University (USA), the city of Las Palmas enjoys "the best climate in the world"[12][13][14].
 Weather averages for Las Palmas  |
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 20.6 (69) |
21.0 (70) |
21.8 (71) |
22.1 (72) |
23.1 (74) |
24.7 (76) |
26.5 (80) |
27.1 (81) |
27.1 (81) |
25.8 (78) |
23.8 (75) |
21.8 (71) |
23.7 (75) |
| Daily Mean °C (°F) | 17.65 (64) |
17.95 (64) |
18.6 (65) |
18.9 (66) |
20.05 (68) |
21.7 (71) |
23.45 (74) |
24.15 (75) |
24.15 (75) |
22.75 (73) |
20.85 (70) |
18.75 (66) |
20.7 (69) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 14.7 (58) |
14.9 (59) |
15.4 (60) |
15.7 (60) |
17.0 (63) |
18.7 (66) |
20.4 (69) |
21.2 (70) |
21.2 (70) |
19.7 (67) |
17.9 (64) |
15.7 (60) |
17.7 (64) |
| Precipitation cm (inches) | 1.8 (0.7) |
2.4 (0.9) |
1.4 (0.6) |
0.7 (0.3) |
0.2 (0.1) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
1.0 (0.4) |
1.3 (0.5) |
1.8 (0.7) |
2.7 (1.1) |
13.3 (5.2) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 33 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[15]. | |||||||||||||
[edit] Demographics
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Ethnically, the population is mostly a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, European (German and British) and South American, especially Cuba and Venezuela as well as Northern and Sub-Sahara African. There are also important historical minorities such as Indians (Sindhi), Koreans (see Koreans in Spain#Las Palmas) and lately Russians[citation needed].
| Year | Population[citation needed] | Density |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 354,887 | 3,529.46/km² |
| 1996 | 355,563 | 3,536.18/km² |
| 2001 | 354,860 | 3,529.19/km² |
| 2002 | 370,649 | 3,686.22/km² |
| 2003 | 377,760 | 3,756.94/km² |
| 2004 | 376,953 | 3,748.92/km² |
| 2007 | 377,203 | 3,751.40/km² |
| 2008 | 381,123 | 3,790.38/km² |
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Festivals and Museums
- Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
- Carnavales de Las Palmas
- Castillo de la Luz
- Centro de Teatro Insular
- CICCA
- El WOMAD
- Fiestas de San Juan
- Gabinete Literario
- Gala Drag Queen
- International Film Festival
- International Theater and Dance Festival
- Museo CAAM Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno
- Museo Canario
- Museo Casa Colón
- Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnologia
- Museo Nestor
- Paseo Playa de Las Canteras
- Teatro Pérez Gáldos
- Teatro Cuyas
- Triana
[edit] Parks and Squares
- Avenida Marítima
- Avenida Mésa y López
- El Confital
- Fuente Luminosa
- Parque de la Mayordomía
- Parque de Santa Catalina
- Parque Doramas
- Parque Juan Pablo II
- Parque San Telmo
- Playa de las Alcaravaneras
- Playa de Las Canteras
- Plaza de Canarias
- Plaza de España
- Plaza de La Feria
- Plaza de Las Ranas
- Plaza Santa Ana
- Triana
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Roadways
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.
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This section requires expansion. |
[edit] Airways
Las Palmas is served by Gran Canaria Airport. In 2008, it handled 10,212,106 passengers[16], making it the busiest airport in the Canary Islands and the fifth busiest in Spain. It is also the only airport on the islands with two runways, allowing it to have up to 53 landings and take-offs per hour. The Airport is located to the east of Gran Canaria on the Bay of Gando (Bahía de Gando), about 18 km (11 mi) from the city.
There is an airbase of the Spanish Air Force to the east of the runways. Beyond several hangars opposite to the passenger terminal, the airbase contains ten shelters situated on the southern end of the eastern runway. They harbor F/A-18 Hornets of the Ala 46 fighter squadron, which defends the Spanish airspace around the Canary Islands.
[edit] Seaport
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This section requires expansion. |
[edit] Public transportation
Municipal Bus Lines (Spanish: Guaguas Municipales) offers 40 urban transport, covering both the bottom and the top of the city. The main lines are the 1 (Theater - Port), 2 (Alameda de Colón - Port), 12 (Port - Hoya de la Plata) and 30 (Alameda de Colón - Santa Catalina, by Rehoyas). In addition, two circular lines (0A: Santa Catalina - Santa Catalina, by Alcaraveneras) and 0B (Santa Catalina - Santa Catalina, by City High).
Global, inter-hire company, has 119 lines, many to or from the capital. This company emerged in 2000, resulting from the merger of the previous Salcai and interurban lines Utinsa.
There is also the Guagua Turística, which covers the most interesting sites of the city with a guide in several languages.
El Tren de Gran Canaria (TG) is a rail project initially proposed as an alternative to get from Las Palmas and Maspalomas[17] but was later raised to Agaete extension.
Another project is the Tramway Palmas (Gran Canaria), which recorrería the lower town in the same way that currently is done by the bus line 1, with an average frequency of 5 minutes and a journey time of 35 minutes.
[edit] Sports
Las Palmas is home to three major professional sports teams. These include:
- UD Las Palmas - football club plays in Segunda División on stadium is Estadio de Gran Canaria, with a capacity of 31,250 and Estadio Insular, with a capacity of 22,000. Honours: Spanish SuperLeague: Runner-up 1968-69, Spanish Cup: Runner-up 1977-78, Semifinal: 1974, 1984, 1997.
- CB Gran Canaria - basketball club plays in Liga ACB on Centro Insular de Deportes, with a capacity of 5,200. Honours: 1/8 finals of ULEB Eurocup: 2007.
- CV Las Palmas - volleyball club plays in Superliga Femenina de Voleibol on Centro Insular de Deportes, with a capacity of 5,200.
Las Palmas will be one of the arenas of 2014 FIBA World Championship. Matches will be played in the new arena - Palacio de Deportes de Las Palmas with a capacity of about 10,000.
In city and neighbourhood, you can engage in many sports, for example: surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, swimming, diving, skydiving, paragliding, running, cycling, rowing, tennis and golf (mainly in Las Palmeras Golf, Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas, El Cortijo Club de Campo and Oasis Golf). Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain. It was inaugurated on 17 December 1891[18].
[edit] Hotels
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[edit] Gallery
 City |
 University Hospital of Gran Canaria |
 Parque de San Telmo |
 Queen Mary 2 in Puerto de Las Palmas |
 "Lady Harimaguada" |
 One of the roads traversing Tafira Campus of the University of Las Palmas. |
 Panoramic view over Las Palmas |
 Old jail Barranco Seco |
 The Community of Canary Islands's government headquarters in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
 Avenue. Las Canteras Beach |
[edit] Sisters cities
- Palma de Mallorca
- Cádiz
- Móstoles
- Jerez de la Frontera
- Salamanca
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna
- Garachico
- Sevilla
- San Antonio
- Caracas
- Altagracia de Orituco
- Nouadhibou
- Rabat[19]
- Praia[20]
[edit] Notable natives and residents
- Alfredo Kraus, was a Spanish tenor, one of the best tenors in the 20th century;
- Antonia San Juan, a Spanish actress, director and screenwriter;
- Antonio Betancort, football (soccer) player. Former goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Deportivo de La Coruña and U.D. Las Palmas;
- Benito Pérez Galdós, one of the best writers in the 19th century;
- Carla Suarez Navarro, tennis player;
- Francisco Kraus, Spanish Baritone, and a voice teacher;
- Javier Bardem, a famous Spanish actor (Academy Award-winning)
- 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);
- José Viera y Clavijo;
- Juan Carlos Valerón, football (soccer) player;
- Juan Fernando López Aguilar (Former Spanish Minister of Justice);
- Juan José Armas Marcelo, a Spanish writer;
- Juan Negrín, politician;
- Kira Miró, actress;
- Magüi Serna, tennis player;
- Manuel Pablo García Díaz, football (soccer) player;
- Marta Marrero, tennis player;
- Mateo Gil (writer and film director);
- Nicolás Estévanez, military officer, politician and poet;
- Sven Giegold, a German politician;
- Francisco Lorenzo Aparicio, aka Paco, currently the Las Palmas ambassador to Bristol UK, working to improve links between the two cities.
[edit] External links
Definitions from Wiktionary
Textbooks from Wikibooks
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Images and media from Commons
News stories from Wikinews
Learning resources from WikiversityLas Palmas de Gran Canaria travel guide from Wikitravel
- Info Las Palmas
- Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
- CAAM Modern Art Gallery
- Canarian Museum
- Canary Islands Exhibition Centre
- City Council
- Columbus House
- Cuyas Theater
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Theater and Dance Festival
- Nestor Museum
- Pérez Gáldos Theater
- Science and Technology Museum
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- WebSite of the Las Canteras Beach
- Social Network of the Las Canteras Beach
- Club Vista Serena Hotel and Resort
[edit] References
- ^ Demographia: World Urban Areas
- ^ Eurostat - Urban Audit
- ^ European Spatial Planning Observation Network - Study on Urban Functions: Final Report, ISBN 2-9600467-2-2
- ^ Conurbaciones
- ^ "Gran Canaria Weather – The best climate in the world". http://www.monteleon-grancanaria.com/gran-canaria-weather.asp. Retrieved on 29 November 2008.
- ^ según el propio ayuntamiento
- ^ www.grancanaria.com - Geographical information
- ^ Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain) - Datos Poblacionales del término municipal de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Avance del Padrón Municipal. Datos provisionales. [1], 1 January 2007
- ^ Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Las Palmas, Canary Islands
- ^ "Weather2Travel.com: Las Palmas Climate Guide". http://www.weather2travel.com/climate-guides/index.php?destination=las-palmas.
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization: Weather Information for Las Palmas". http://www.worldweather.org/083/c01234.htm.
- ^ "Gran Canaria Weather – The best climate in the world". http://www.monteleon-grancanaria.com/gran-canaria-weather.asp. Retrieved on 29 November 2008.
- ^ según el propio ayuntamiento
- ^ www.grancanaria.com - Geographical information
- ^ "Weather Information for Las Palmas". http://www.worldweather.org/083/c01234.htm.
- ^ AENA passenger and aircraft movements for 2008
- ^ El tren de Gran Canaria pasará de la capital al sur de Gran Canaria
- ^ Official page of Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas
- ^ Las Palmas Gran Canaria y Rabat, hermanadas para promover desarrollo social
- ^ El Ayuntamiento de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria se hermana con Praia
| North: Atlantic Ocean | ||
| West: Arucas | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | East: Atlantic Ocean |
| South: Santa Brígida and Telde |
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