Las Palmas

Las Palmas, officially called Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the capital and largest city of the Canary Islands in Spain. It is the ninth-largest city in the country. The city is on the northeastern part of Gran Canaria, about 150 km west of the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

Las Palmas has a desert climate, but it stays cooler because of the nearby Canary Current. The city stays warm all year, with an average temperature of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F). It was founded in 1478 and has been an important center for the Canary Islands for many years. Today, it still holds many government offices for the region.

History

See also: Timeline of Las Palmas

The city was founded by Juan Rejón in 1478 and was called "Real de Las Palmas". At that time, Rejón led soldiers from Castilian against the local people.

The fighting lasted for five years and was hard on the local people. The war ended in 1483 when Pedro de Vera brought the island into the Crown of Castile.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus stopped in Las Palmas to fix his ship Pinta before continuing his journey to the Americas. You can visit the Colón House, a museum in the Vegueta district, which is named after him.

Las Palmas' seaport, called Puerto de la Luz, began construction in 1883 and helped the city grow. The port became very important, especially when the Suez Canal closed from 1967 to 1975.

In 1927, the area was split into two parts, and Las Palmas became the capital of one of them, which includes the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Administrative divisions

Las Palmas is divided into five main areas. These areas are split into smaller parts, but they may not always match the old neighborhoods of the city.

Geography

Las Palmas has four main beaches: Las Canteras, Las Alcaravaneras, La Laja, and El Confital.

Las Canteras Beach is the largest beach in the city. Many people like to visit it. It is safe for swimming because it is protected by a natural barrier. The beach has a wide sidewalk next to it.

Las Alcaravaneras Beach is long, with fine golden sand. It is good for walking, running, and water sports like sailing and canoeing.

La Laja Beach is popular with surfers because of its waves. It is also where boat races start in the summer.

Confital Beach is smaller and has hard, volcanic sand. It is good for surfing and has sunny spots to relax.

Climate

Las Palmas has a desert climate with tropical influences. The city stays warm all year, with average temperatures around 21 °C (70 °F). Summers are dry and warm, and winters are mild. The city rarely gets very hot or very cold. It never snows or sleets. The area gets very little rain, about 151 mm (5.9 in) each year, and has lots of sunshine, over 2,800 hours a year.

Demographics

As of 2008, almost half of the people on the island of Gran Canaria lived in Las Palmas, and about one in five people in all of the Canary Islands lived there too. People in Las Palmas live about 81 years on average.

In 2024, about one in six people in the city were born in another country. Over time, many people from Spain and other parts of the world have moved to Las Palmas. Most people are Spanish, but there are also many people from Africa, Latin America (especially from Venezuela), and smaller groups from India (Sindhi), Korea (Koreans), and China (Chinese).

Near the city's port, there is a street with many Korean shops and businesses. People from Korea who arrive by ship often visit this area, which they call the "Second Busan" after a port city in South Korea.

Most people from the Canary Islands come from a mix of the original islanders (guanches), and people from Spain and other European countries who came later.

Education

Las Palmas has the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which started in 1989.

The city has many state and public schools for children. It also has several international schools, such as:

• Deutsche Schule Las Palmas (German)
• The British School of Gran Canaria (Tafira School is in the city limits)
• The American School of Las Palmas
• Lycée Français René-Verneau, the French international school, is in the city limits of Telde
• Canterbury School of Gran Canaria, a British international school.

The Escuela Complementaria Japonesa de Las Palmas once had a weekend Japanese programme.

Culture

Las Palmas has many places where people can enjoy theater, movies, music, art, and dancing. The city holds special events like the Canary Islands Music Festival, a Theatre and Dance Festival, and an International Film Festival. In June, the city celebrates its founding with big parties called the "City Fiestas de San Juan." The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a big attraction for visitors. Parts of the city center, like Vegueta and Triana, might be added to a special list of important places to protect.

Museums, theatres and exhibition halls

The Museo Canario is in the old part of Vegueta. It has many old objects from the Canary Islands and a big library.

The Casa Museo de Colón is near the cathedral of Santa Ana and tells the story of the Canary Islands and its links with America. It has rooms showing different topics, like the life before people came and the trips of Christopher Columbus.

The Casa Museo Pérez Galdós is where the writer Benito Pérez Galdós was born. It has many things that belonged to him.

The Museo Néstor is dedicated to the artist Néstor Martín-Fernández de la Torre and has rooms for art shows.

The Elder Museum of Science and Technology helps people learn about science and technology in fun ways.

The Maritime Museum is in an old building and will soon have a big pool where people can pretend to drive a ship.

The Atlantic Center of Modern Art shows modern and new art from the Canary Islands and other places.

The Teatro Pérez Galdós was built in 1867 and has been fixed up many times. It was named after the writer Benito Pérez Galdós.

The Cuyás Theater is in an old cinema and can hold many people for shows.

The Sala Insular de Teatro is in an old church and is used for small performances.

Auditorium and Convention Centre

The Auditorio Alfredo Kraus is a big place for concerts and events near the beach.

The Palais des congrès de Gran Canaria can hold big meetings and events.

The Center for Initiatives of the Caja de Ahorros de Canarias is a smaller place for meetings in an old building.

Libraries

Las Palmas has many libraries. The Library Island can hold many people to read and study.

La Biblioteca Simón Benitez Padilla has books about nature and the environment.

The Archives Joaquín Blanco has old documents about the city's history.

There is also a library in the Woermann Tower.

Cultural events

Las Palmas has many festivals and events, including:

• Dance Center
• Festival of Theater and Dance
• Festival Internacional de Cine de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Canary Islands Music Festival
• Jazz Festival
• Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Founding Celebrations
• WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Opera Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Fantastic and Terror Film Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Districts

Las Palmas has several districts, including:

• Vegueta, Cono Sur and Tafira
• Centro
• Isleta – Puerto – Guanarteme
• Ciudad Alta
• Tamaraceite – San Lorezo – Tenoya

Parks and squares

Las Palmas has many beautiful parks and squares where people can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Some well-known ones are Avenida Marítima, Avenida Mésa y López, El Confital, and Fuente Luminosa.

Other popular spots are Parque de la Mayordomía, Parque de Santa Catalina, Parque Doramas, and Parque Juan Pablo II. There are also several lovely plazas such as Plaza de España, Plaza de La Feria, Plaza de Las Ranas, Plaza Santa Ana, and Triana.

Architecture

Las Palmas has many interesting buildings and places to see. One famous spot is the Bandama Caldera in Santa Brígida, a big volcanic crater that is fun to walk around. You can see interesting rocks and plants there.

There are also old ruins and caves in Santa Brígida and Telde that show what life was like for people who lived there long ago. You can visit churches like the Church of San Juan Bautista in Arucas, which has beautiful stonework and stained glass windows. Another special place is the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino in Teror, built in 1760. There are many places to discover in Las Palmas that tell the story of its past!

Places of worship

Las Palmas has many special buildings where people go to pray. Most of these are for Christian groups, such as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Canarias, the Spanish Evangelical Church, and the Assemblies of God. There are also places for Muslim worship, like mosques. These buildings are important to the people who live there.

Transportation

Roads and highways

The roads in Las Palmas can get busy on workdays, and the streets might seem confusing even to experienced drivers. But there are no toll roads, and all entrances, exits, main streets, and important places have clear signs.

Las Palmas is the center of the island’s motorway network. The city connects to three highways: the GC-1 to the south, the GC-2 to the west, and GC-3 which goes around the city.

The GC-1 links Las Palmas with Puerto de Mogán in the south. It is the fastest way to travel from the top of the island to the bottom. The highway is about 75 km long and runs along the eastern and southern coasts. It helps tourists get to major cities and resorts like Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés.

The GC-2 North Highway connects Las Palmas with the small northern port and village of Agaete. It starts near the beach, goes through the downtown area, and ends in Agaete.

Airport

Las Palmas has Gran Canaria Airport, also called Las Palmas Airport (IATA: LPA, ICAO: GCLP).

The airport is about 18 km east of the city center. It is the only airport on the islands with two runways. The airport is also a base for Binter Canarias and Canaryfly, which fly between the Canary Islands.

Seaport

Puerto de Las Palmas, also called Puerto de la Luz, is a major port for fishing, commercial ships, passengers, and sports boats in the northwest of the city. For centuries, it has been a key stop for ships traveling through the Middle Atlantic. It is the main port in the Canary Islands and one of Spain’s most important ports.

Even though it has seen some decline, it remains the top port for fishing in the Canary Islands. The port has special facilities for handling and storing fish. It also has a special area for checking imports and exports between the European Economic Union and other countries.

Muelle Deportivo is the main marina on the island, with space for 1,250 boats. It is close to the city center and is a popular place for sailors getting ready to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Bus

Las Palmas has a bus system run by the company Guaguas Municipales. There are 40 urban bus routes, with the most important ones being lines 1, 2, 17, 25, 12, and 30. There are also two circular routes, A and B.

The main bus lines run every 3 to 15 minutes during the day and every 10 to 40 minutes at night. Some buses run all night. The bright yellow buses are called ‘guaguas’.

There is also a separate bus company called Global with blue buses, offering many routes, many going to and from the capital.

There is also a tourist bus called Guagua Turística, which visits the city’s most interesting places with a guide speaking several languages.

Rail

There is currently no rail transport system on Gran Canaria. In the early 2000s, plans were made to build a rapid transit railway called the Tren de Gran Canaria to connect Las Palmas with the airport and Maspalomas. However, this project is currently suspended due to funding problems.

Sports

Las Palmas has three big sports teams. There is a football club, a basketball club, and a women's volleyball club.

The city hosted games for a big basketball event in 2014. People like to do outdoor activities such as surfing, swimming, and golf. Real Club De Golf De Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain.

Health system

Las Palmas has two big hospitals that help people stay healthy. One hospital, called Doctor Negrín University Hospital, helps people in the north and west parts of the island. The other hospital, Insular University Hospital, helps people in the south and east parts of the island. There are also smaller private hospitals and clinics in the area.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Spain

Las Palmas has friendly partnerships with cities around the world. Some of these cities are:

• Garachico, Spain
• San Antonio, United States
• Guanajuato, Mexico
• Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Las Palmas is also working to become partners with these additional cities:

• Rabat, Morocco
• Ekaterinburg, Russia
• Praia, Cape Verde
• Vigo, Spain
• Gdańsk, Poland
• Genoa, Italy
• Martinsicuro, Italy
• Jalisco, Mexico
• Xiamen, China

People from Las Palmas

Las Palmas is home to many talented people from different fields. Some well-known individuals include Santi Aldama, a basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies, and Javier Bardem, a famous actor. The city has also been home to Alfredo Kraus, a well-known singer, and Antonio Betancort, a former football player. Other famous people from Las Palmas include writers, artists, musicians, and athletes who have done great work in their areas.

• Santi Aldama (10 January 2001), professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies
• Wenceslao Benitez Inglott (1879–1954), counter admiral, scientist, and engineer
• Alfredo Kraus (1927–1999), 20th-century tenor
• Javier Bardem (born 1 March 1969), actor
• Antonio Betancort (13 March 1937 – 15 March 2015), former football player
• Juan Bordes (15 July 1948), sculptor
• Pino Caballero Gil (born 1968), scientist
• Juan Hidalgo Codorniu (1927–2018), composer
• José Comas Quesada (3 February 1928 – 14 January 1993), painter
• Pedro Déniz (1 August 1964), Spanish interdisciplinary artist
• José Doreste (19 September 1956), Spanish sailor and olympic champion
• Luis Doreste (7 March 1961), Spanish sailor and 2x olympic champion
• Nicolás Estévanez (1838–1914), military officer, politician and poet
• Manuel Pablo García Díaz (25 January 1976), football (soccer) player
• Nicolás García Hemme (20 June 1988), taekwondo olympic medalist
• Sven Giegold (17 November 1969), German politician
• Mateo Gil (23 September 1972), writer and film director
• Patricia Guerra (21 July 1965), sailor and Olympic champion
• Jesé (26 February 1993), footballer
• María Juncal (c. 1981), flamenco dancer
• Francisco Kraus (1926–2016), Spanish baritone and voice teacher
• Juan Fernando López Aguilar (10 June 1961), former Spanish Minister of Justice
• Úrsula López (1870–1966), singer
• Marta Marrero (16 January 1983), tennis player
• Kira Miró (13 March 1980), actress and presenter
• Roberto Molina (5 June 1960), Spanish sailor and olympic champion
• Juan Negrín (1892–1956), politician; President of Government of Republican Spain 1937–39
• Rebeca Nuez Suarez (10 November 1993), Classical Violinist.
• Pinito del Oro (1930–2017), trapeze artist, member of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
• Benito Pérez Galdós (1843–1920), 19th-century writer
• Sandro Ramirez (born 1995), football player
• María del Carmen Reina Jiménez (born 1942), essayist, writer, activist, and politician
• Misa Rodríguez (born 1999), goalkeeper for Spain
• Leticia Romero (28 May 1995), Spanish international basketball player
• Borja del Rosario (14 January 1985), footballer
• Jerónimo Saavedra Acevedo (3 June 1936), President of the Government of the Canaries, minister of Public administrations, minister of Education and Sciences of Spain and Mayor
• Antonia San Juan (22 May 1961), Spanish actress, director and screenwriter
• Magüi Serna (1 March 1979), tennis player
• David Silva (8 January 1986-), Spain National Team footballer
• Carla Suárez Navarro (3 September 1988), tennis player
• Domingo Tejera de Quesada (1881–1944), publisher and politician
• Juan Carlos Valerón (17 June 1975), footballer
• José de Viera y Clavijo (28 December 1731 – 1813), ecclesiastic historian and botanist
• Isabel Torres (1969–2022), radio and television presenter, talk-show host, and actress.
• Cristina Ramos (19 February 1979), singer