Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
—  Municipality  —
View of Las Palmas
Flag Coat of arms
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Location in the Canary Islands
Coordinates:
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Canary Islands
Province	Las Palmas
Isla	Gran Canaria
Founded	24 June 1478
Government
- Alcalde	Jerónimo Saavedra (PSOE)
Area
- Total	100.55 km2 (38.8 sq mi)
Elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Highest elevation	300 m (984 ft)
Lowest elevation	8 m (26 ft)
Population (2009)
- Total	381,847
- Density	3,797.6/km2 (9,835.7/sq mi)
Demonym	Palmense
Time zone	WET
- Summer (DST)	WEST (UTC)
Postal code	35001-35020
Language(s)	Spanish (official) English (partly)
Website	Official website

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spanish pronunciation: [las ˈpalmaz ðe ɣɾaŋ kaˈnaɾja]) commonly known as Las Palmas ([las ˈpalmas]) is the capital (jointly with Santa Cruz) and the most populous city in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the ninth largest city in Spain, with a population of 381,847 in 2009. Nearly half (45.9%) of the people of the island and nearly 1/5 (18.35%) of all inhabitants of the Canary Islands live in this city. It is also the fifth most populous urban area in Spain with a population of around 700,000^[1] and (depending on sources) ninth or tenth most populous metropolitan area in Spain with a population of 625,892,^[2] 640,000^[3] or 741,826.^[4] Las Palmas is the largest city of the European Union outside Europe. Located in the northeast of the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, about 150 kilometers (~93 miles) off the northwestern coast of Africa^[5] within the Atlantic Ocean.

Las Palmas enjoy a Subtropical climate, with spring-summer like temperatures dominating throughout the year.

The city is home to the Canarian Ministry of Presidency (shared in a 4-year term with Santa Cruz de Tenerife), one half of the ministries and boards of the Canarian Government, (the other half being located in Tenerife), Gran Canaria Provincial Courts and two courts of the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands.

Contents 1 History 2 Administrative divisions 3 Climate 4 Demographics 5 Culture 5.1 Museums, theatres and exhibition halls 5.2 Auditorium and Convention Center 5.3 Libraries 5.4 Other cultural events 6 Nightlife 7 Tourism 7.1 Beaches 7.2 Parks and Squares 8 Transportation 8.1 Roads and highways 8.2 Airport 8.3 Seaport 8.4 Public transportation 9 Sports 10 Gallery 11 Sister cities 12 Notable natives and residents 13 External links 14 References

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.

In 1927 Las Palmas was designated the second capital of the Canary Islands; from the 1833 territorial division of Spain until that time, the only capital of the Canaries was the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.^[6][7]

In July 1936 from Las Palmas Franco launched the coup that eventually turned into the Spanish Civil War.

Las Palmas seaport (Puerto de la Luz) 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.

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.

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	La Isleta-Puerto-Canteras	71,412
4	Ciudad Alta	101,684
5	Tamaraceite-San Lorenzo	39,191

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 (73 °F) during the day and 17 °C (63 °F) at night. In the coldest month – January – the typically temperature ranges from 18 to 23 °C (64 to 73 °F) during the day (sometimes exceeding this temperatures), 14 to 15 °C (57 to 59 °F) at night, the average sea temperature is 18–19 °C (64–66 °F). In the warmest months – August and September – the typically temperature ranges from 25 to 29 °C (77 to 84 °F) during the day, 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%, evening relative humidity: 60%.^[9] Sunshine hours is till 2,805 per year, from 189 in December (above 6 hours of sunshine every day) to 304 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]

Climate data for Las Palmas
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	20.6 (69.1)	21.0 (69.8)	21.8 (71.2)	22.1 (71.8)	23.1 (73.6)	24.7 (76.5)	26.5 (79.7)	27.1 (80.8)	27.1 (80.8)	25.8 (78.4)	23.8 (74.8)	21.8 (71.2)	23.7 (74.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	17.6 (63.7)	17.9 (64.2)	18.6 (65.5)	18.9 (66)	20.0 (68)	21.7 (71.1)	23.4 (74.1)	24.1 (75.4)	24.1 (75.4)	22.7 (72.9)	20.8 (69.4)	18.7 (65.7)	20.7 (69.3)
Average low °C (°F)	14.7 (58.5)	14.9 (58.8)	15.4 (59.7)	15.7 (60.3)	17.0 (62.6)	18.7 (65.7)	20.4 (68.7)	21.2 (70.2)	21.2 (70.2)	19.7 (67.5)	17.9 (64.2)	15.7 (60.3)	17.7 (63.9)
Precipitation mm (inches)	18 (0.71)	24 (0.94)	14 (0.55)	7 (0.28)	2 (0.08)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	10 (0.39)	13 (0.51)	18 (0.71)	27 (1.06)	133 (5.24)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)	3	3	3	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	4	21
Sunshine hours	191	192	218	224	265	281	304	294	238	218	191	189	2,805
Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN)[12], Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[13]

Demographics

As of 2008 nearly 1/5 (18.35%) of all inhabitants of the Canary Islands live in Las Palmas.

Ethnically, the population is mostly a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, Germans, British, and Latin Americans, especially Cubans and Venezuelans as well as Northern and Sub-Sahara Africans. There are also important historical minorities such as Indians (Sindhi) and Koreans. Koreans in Las Palmas form a community distinct from that on the Spanish mainland. In Las Palmas is the only concentration of Koreans in Spain whose presence has resulted in a recognisable Koreatown.^[14] They trace their origins to South Korean migrant workers who worked on deep-ocean fishing boats based on the island starting in the 1960s.^[15] Fishing, along with construction, was one of the main sources of overseas employment for South Koreans for decades; by the 1970s, nearly 7,000 Koreans resided in Las Palmas, making them about 2% of the city's population of 350,000. Many brought their families over and became rooted in Spain, sending their children to local schools.^[16] However, with the decline of South Korea's ocean fisheries industries in the 1990s, their population shrank, from 2,283 individuals in 1997 to just 1,292 by 1999, a number which has remained roughly stable since then.^[17][18] Most of the remaining Korean population have shifted away from the fishing industry, and their children have largely entered professional fields, achieving relative affluence.^[19]

Year	Population	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

Culture

Las Palmas offers a relatively wide cultural variety of theater, cinema, opera, concerts, visual arts and dance performances. The city hosts the Canary Islands Music Festival, the Theater and Dance and the International Film Festival. The main City Festival, celebrating the foundation of the City (Fiestas de San Juan) is held in June. The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria^[20] is also known not only in Spain but also worldwide, and is one of the main attractions for tourists. Historic City-Centre of Las Palmas (Vegueta and Triana neighbourhoods) are included in Spain's Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Museums, theatres and exhibition halls

• The Museo Canario is located in the historic district of Vegueta. Founded in 1879 it is international partner of the Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). It has a valuable collection of Canary archaeological objects, which are exhibited in 16 halls. It is also equipped with a library of over 60,000 volumes, many of them dealing with the Canary Islands topics. Its archive covers period from 1785 until today.

• The Casa Museo de Colón is in the Plaza de San Antonio Abad, in the back of the cathedral. Its exposition focuses on the history of the Canary Islands and its relations with America. It has 13 permanent exhibition halls, a library and study center dedicated and diverse spaces for temporary activities. The complex consists of several houses, one of which was the residence of former Governor (now better known as home of Columbus), accessed by Christopher Columbus during his first trip to America in 1492. It is organized into five subject areas: America before the Discovery, Columbus and his journeys, Canary enclave strategic base for experimenting with the New World, The History and genesis of the city of Palmas, and painting of the sixteenth century to start of XX.
• The Casa Museo Pérez Galdós is located in the Triana neighborhood of the city. It is the birthplace of Benito Pérez Galdós. It has an extensive collection of documents, books, furniture and personal belongings of the writer.

• The Museo Néstor is in the neighborhood of Garden City. Dedicated to the modernist painter Néstor Martín Fernández de la Torre, museum was opened in 1956 in the architectural ensemble of the Pueblo Canario, which was conceived and built by his brother Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre . It has 10 exhibition halls, as well as a documentation center and pedagogy.
• The Elder Museum of Science and Technology is an innovative, interactive, engaged in scientific and technological culture. Elder located in the building, which dates from the end of nineteenth century has 4500 m² of exhibition halls, workshops, interactive modules, large-format film and greenhouse ecosystem.
• The Maritime Museum, located in the former station Jet Foil has around 1,000 m². Soon, when they finish the expansion, will have a giant pool to simulate interactive bay, where a large ship can be handled by visitors.

• The Atlantic Center of Modern Art (CAAM), opened in 1989 is one of the most important references for the cultural and artistic life of the Canary Islands. Is responsible for disseminating the art made in the islands with the rest of the world, especially Africa, America and Europe. Has permanent and temporary exhibitions that range from the historical avant-garde to the latest trends. Located on Calle Los Balcones de Vegueta preserves the original facade of the eighteenth century.

• The Teatro Pérez Galdós was designed by the architect Francisco Jareño y Alarcón in 1867. Its current appearance, with some modifications, is due to the intervention of Fernando Navarro and Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre after the fire that destroyed it almost entirely in 1928. Miguel Martín's brother, painter Néstor de la Torre, was commissioned to decorate the stalls, lounges and the stage. It was originally called Teatro Tirso de Molina until 1901, when, with occasion of the premiere of Electra, the theatre was renamed after the canarian writer Benito Pérez Galdós. Following works of renovation, the theatre reopened in April 2007.
• The Cuyás Theater, on the stage of the former Cine Cuyás is a work of rationalist Canarian architect Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre. Its main hall has a capacity for 940 people, divided between the stalls and two amphitheatres. It also has a large patio that allows the organization of outdoor events. It is currently constructing an alternative test room with capacity for one hundred seats.
• The Sala Insular de Teatro is a unique scenic area which lies in the main hall of an old church. In 2007, after some refurbishment works, the Board reopened its doors to the public, welcoming small local assemblies.
• The Guiniguada Theater, which is currently closed while waiting for reforms, has for years been the scene of the representation of numerous theatrical production canaria.

Auditorium and Convention Center

• The Auditorio Alfredo Kraus is located on the shores of the Atlantic, near the Playa de Las Canteras, one of the most privileged areas of the city. It has 13,200 m², which has 11 rooms which accommodate from large conventions and concerts to conferences.
• The Palais des congrès de Gran Canaria is in the premises of the Institución Ferial de Canarias with a capacity for 800 people on 16,000 m².
• The Center for Initiatives of the Caja de Ahorros de Canarias (CICC) has made one of the buildings in the middle of the nineteenth century in the neighborhood of Triana by the architect Manuel Ponce de Leon. It is a small conference center with the latest technology and up to 500 guests.

Libraries

The city has a wide network of libraries spread over different districts. Along with the 11 municipal libraries need to review these three centers:

• The Library Island, which has capacity for 500 users in its three floors, besides a hall and more than 100 computer connections with 20 Internet access points.
• La Biblioteca Simón Benitez Padilla, center specializing in geology, biology and ecology that contains valuable bibliographical former president of the Museum Canario Simón Benitez Padilla, notable advocate of the study of the Canarian culture.
• The Archives Joaquín Blanco, which contains 160 years of history of the city, as the burning of the Houses Consistoriales in 1845 destroyed the previous documentary.

A library is situated in the first floor of Woermann Tower.

Other cultural events

• 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 (World of Music Arts and Dance)
• Opera Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
• Fantastic and Terror Film Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Nightlife

The historic district of Vegueta has regained great popularity in recent years, the meeting place of choice for many young people on weekends fill its bars and discos. In the port area are also numerous bars and nightclubs, particularly in the vicinity of Santa Catalina.

During the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, usually between January and February, you can enjoy many activities such as popular Mogollon (dances) and galas of Franco and the drag queen. Special mention deserves the Festival WOMAD (World Of Music, Art & Dance), usually in November each year scenario is the capital of Gran Canaria. In 2008 has held its fourteenth edition.

Tourism

Beaches

The city has four main beaches, the most important is Las Canteras, Las Alcaravaneras, la Laja and Confital.

• Las Canteras beach (Playa de Las Canteras) has certificate ISO 14001, Spain that they only have the beaches of La Concha in San Sebastián and La Victoria in Cádiz, the introduction of a system for the management of the Environment. Frequently throughout the year, is the beach preferred by most city dwellers and foreign visitors, who can enjoy it at any time of year thanks to the mild climate. Length: 3,100 m. Las Canteras lies on the west side of the Isthmus of Guanarteme, old language of sand dunes and mountains linking the peninsula of La Isleta, located to the northeast, with the rest of the island of Gran Canaria. The beach is the largest of the existing city. It is oriented to the northwest in what is known as Confital bow or bay, and stretches from the foothills of La Isleta until shortly before the mouth of the ravine Tamaraceite, for just over three miles of extensive fine and golden sand. In much of this length, the beach is sheltered from the currents of the Atlantic by a natural barrier, and coral sandstone, which is popularly known by the name of "the bar" and can be reached by swimming from shore. On the inner side of the coast, runs the Paseo de Las Canteras, pedestrian street that runs parallel along the beach from near the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus to the area known as "Puntilla" and hence, in line, until reaching near the beach Confital, place some years ago was only frequented by surfers, which creates what many consider as the best wave right in Europe. La Playa de Las Canteras covers three areas that correspond to the arches and inflections that it conducts on the coast. Each presents certain morphological characteristics.^[21]
• Las Alcaravaneras beach (Playa de Las Alcaravaneras) stretches rising side of the Isthmus of Guanarteme, old language of sand dunes and mountains linking the peninsula of La Isleta, located to the northeast, with the rest of the island of Gran Canaria. It extends from the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria until his meeting with the new marina breakwater of the city for just over half a mile of fine golden sand.^[22] The whole beach is covered by the promenade, which starts in Las Alcaravaneras, communicates with the Playa de San Cristobal and ending in Playa de La Laja, ten miles south. This ride is one of the recreational areas of the city and is popular with people who take the opportunity to walk, run, play sports or cycling. The tranquility of the bay and yacht clubs proximadad of existing beach makes a great place to practice sports such as sailing and canoeing. Furthermore, the beach there are facilities for the practice of other sports like beach volleyball, beach soccer or futvóley (organized tournaments in the summer) and court sports such as basketball, indoor soccer and volleyball.
• La Laja beach (Playa de la Laja) with fine sand and gray, there is approximately 1200 m long and 40 m average width. Its moderate waves and currents is no longer dangerous, thanks to the construction of a dam in the south of it carried out around the 90s, too, in the same decade the Ministry of Environment conducted a performance on the beach, to bring sand from the seabed near and in recent years has built a boardwalk that has brought a significant improvement in access on foot. Due to the intensity of their streams and receiving waves, has been hailed as one of the favorite beaches among surfers. It should also be noted that between April and October, every weekend is taken as a starting point to its southern end the race week, from where boats depart lateen.
• Confital beach (Playa del Confital) is located southwest of the peninsula of La Isleta, and is a natural extension of the beach of Las Canteras. The area normally used for swimming covers about two kilometers, but the coastal strip is much greater. It consists of panels of rock with a layer of gravel at the end of them. Until some years ago, on the beach stood a small shanty town, but recently was eradicated and the land of the Confital went back to being publicly giving way to a conservation and maintenance works quite controversial because of doubts, of some environmental movements and the residents of the city, on the legality of the proceedings. The waves arriving at the beach are highly valued by amateur and professional surfers, some consider the Confital right as one of the best waves in Europe.^[23] Here, the ocean currents form a tube that is used by more experienced for its speed and strong contrasts. Occur annually in this beach qualifying events for the professional world surfing championship.^[24]

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
• Plaza de Canarias
• Plaza de España
• Plaza de La Feria
• Plaza de Las Ranas
• Plaza Santa Ana
• Triana

Transportation

Roads and highways

Las Palmas, being the centre of the Las Palmas metropolitan area, is the logical hub for the island's motorway network. The city is linked with three highways including the GC-1 to the south, the GC-2 to the west and GC-3 to the center of the island.

The GC-1 is a highway (or motorway) on the island of Gran Canaria. It links the capital Las Palmas in the north with Puerto Rico in the south. It is the fastest route from the top of the island to the bottom and vice versa with a speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph). It is approximately 75 km (47 mi) in length and runs along the eastern and the southern coasts of this circular island and is also the second longest superhighway in the Canary Islands. The road provides easy access from the airport to the major cities and resorts. The resorts include Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. The increase in tourism over the years has seen the GC1 route slowly being upgraded and widened to cope with extra traffic. The GC-1 begins south of the downtown area of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the highway runs within the beach of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and 2 km south intersects with the GC-2 and later runs with a few clover leaf interchanges and later forms a junction with GC-5 and south, the GC-31. The GC-2 North Highway in Gran Canaria. Connects Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with the north little port and village of Agaete. The eastern portion for about 20 km is a superhighway with interchange numbers, the rest of the highway is a two-lane highway, the western part is like a freeway but only two-lanes because it has exit numbers. The highway begins by the beach area of the island or the Canary Islands' co-capital with the highway GC-1. The highway runs through the downtown area and links with a roundabout interchange with GC31. The freeway runs within the beaches and the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean for the half part but at around the 20th km, it becomes a highway after the unidirectional parclo interchanges and runs within the coastline, it later has several interchanges and several towns as it passes to the northwest and finally, it ends in Agaete.

Dense traffic on workdays and in certain commercial leisure zones mean that driving is really no fun here. The city street plan is not at all rectilinear, so the streets can confuse even experienced drivers. Parking is also pretty expensive in most places. On the upside, the price of gasoline is significantly cheaper that the rest of Spain and Europe, there are no toll roads, and entrances, exits, main streets and important zones are all well-signposted.

Airport

Las Palmas is served by Gran Canaria Airport, often called Las Palmas Airport (IATA: LPA, ICAO: GCLP). In 2008, it handled 10,212,106 passengers,^[25]. Airport handeles 33,695,248 kg of cargo, is the fourth 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 lengthy runways make the airport an alternative landing site for the NASA Space Shuttle.^[26] Also this airport is a base for Binter Canarias and Navegacion y Servicios Aéreos Canarios (NAYSA) airlines, which operate as a regional carriers providing inter-island connection within the Canary Islands. The Airport is located in the eastern part of the island, about 18 km (11 mi) from the Las Palmas city center.

There is an airbase of the Spanish Air Force to the east of the runways. Beyond several hangars opposite to the passenger terminal, the Gando Air Base (Base Aérea de Gando) contains ten shelters situated on the southern end of the eastern runway.

Seaport

Puerto de Las Palmas, also known as Puerto de la Luz, or Puerto de la Luz and the Las Palmas is a port of fishing, commercial, passenger and sports in the north-west of the city. For five centuries, the Port of Las Palmas is the traditional basis of scale and supplying ships on their way through the Middle Atlantic. The Port of Las Palmas is not only the first port of the Canary Islands, but also the first port in the Mid-Atlantic, the most traffic at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and America. In turn, constitutes one of the main ports of Spain and the first of the geographical area of West Africa. The port in 2007 earned a total of 907,782 passengers a 16.26% more than in 2006, and the growing cruise passenger traffic in a 21.23%. In 2007 he received some 11,262 ships. Regarding annual TEUs the port of Las Palmas has the 5th position of Spain, resulting in year 2007 1,449,773 placed among the first 15 ports of Europe.

The Port of Las Palmas is the first Mid-Atlantic fishing base, with an annual traffic of more than 4,500 scales and with some 400,000 tonnes of frozen fish manipulated. Despite having experienced some decline in recent years, the Port of Las Palmas retains its dominance in the fishery landed over other ports in the Canary Islands. In the port provides 175,000 cubic meters of cold storage facilities at the foot of pier, parks special refrigerated containers supported by Trastainer and room preparation of frozen products. Within these facilities, have a great importance of the wide variety of refrigeration present, which can carry out all activities necessary for postprocessing and conservation of fish, from refrigeration and storage of the product at low temperatures for subsequent distribution, to manufacture and supply of industrial ice. In the port's facilities include a border inspection post (BIP) approved by the European Union, which is responsible for inspecting all types of imports from third countries or exports to countries outside the European Economic Area.

Public transportation

Las Palmas has the best quality bus system in the archipelago and one of the best in Spain. The service is provided by Guaguas Municipales.^[27] Municipal Bus Lines offers 40 urban transport, covering both the bottom and the top of the city. The main lines are the 1 (Teatro - Puerto), 2 (Alameda de Colón - Puerto), 12 (Puerto - Hoya de la Plata) and 30 (Alameda de Colón - Santa Catalina, via Rehoyas). In addition, two circular lines (0A: Santa Catalina - Santa Catalina, via Alcaraveneras) and 0B (Santa Catalina - Santa Catalina, via City High).

The most important bus lines have frequencies of between 3 and 15 minutes during the day and between 10 and 40 minutes at night. Most lines have service throughout the night. The bright yellow buses are known simply as guaguas. The simple fare, paid directly to the driver, is 1.20 euro. A ticket good for 10 rides is available for 6.50€ at official shops in the city. The Tarjeta Insular (Island Card) is good on both municipal buses and Global buses, offering a 20% discount.

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 way to get from Las Palmas to Maspalomas^[28] but was later raised to Agaete extension.

Another project is the Tramway Palmas (Gran Canaria), which would cover the same journey as the bus line 1, with an average frequency of 5 minutes and a journey time of 35 minutes.

Sports

Las Palmas is home to four 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.
• La Caja de Canarias (Club Voleibol J.A.V. Olímpico) - volleyball club plays in Superliga Femenina de Voleibol.

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.^[29]

Gallery

Hotel AC Gran Canaria	Historical center of Vegueta	Canarian Village ("Pueblo canario"). Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	Streets in Las Palmas
"Lady Harimaguada"	Cairasco Square, 2008.	Queen Mary 2 in Puerto de Las Palmas	The Community of Canary Islands's government headquarters in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Sister cities

Palma de Mallorca, Spain Cádiz, Spain Móstoles, Spain Jerez de la Frontera, Spain Salamanca, Spain San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain Garachico, Spain

San Antonio, United States Caracas, Venezuela Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela Nouadhibou, Mauritania Rabat, Morocco[30] Praia, Cape Verde[31]

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 Suárez 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.
• José Doreste, a Spanish sailor and olympic champion
• Luis Doreste, a Spanish sailor and 2x olympic champion
• Roberto Molina, a Spanish sailor and olympic champion
• Patricia Guerra, a Spanish sailor and olympic champion
• Björn Dunkerbeck, a windsurfer and World Championships a record twelve times

External links

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria travel guide from Wikitravel

• 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

References

	North: Atlantic Ocean
West: Arucas	Las Palmas de Gran Canaria	East: Atlantic Ocean
	South: Santa Brígida and Telde

Island capitals of the Canary Islands Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Santa Cruz de Tenerife • Santa Cruz de La Palma • San Sebastián de La Gomera • Valverde Province of Las Palmas Las Palmas de Gran Canaria • Arrecife • Puerto del Rosario • Caleta de Sebo

Municipalities of Gran Canaria Agaete • Agüimes • Artenara • Arucas • Firgas • Gáldar • Ingenio • Mogán • Moya • Las Palmas de Gran Canaria • San Bartolomé de Tirajana • San Nicolás de Tolentino • Sta. Brígida • Sta. Lucía de Tirajana • Sta. María de Guía • Tejeda • Telde • Valleseco • Valsequillo • Vega de San Mateo