The
island of La Palma is one of the seven that make up the Canarian
Archipelago. It is located in the northwest of the group and covers
an area of 726 square kilometres in which its 84,000 inhabitants
are distributed between 14 small towns and villages. With an impressive
variation in altitude, it is the steepest island in the world
in relation to its height compared with its surface area. It's
highest point is El Roque de Los Muchachos at 2,426 metres above
sea level, on which is located the international Roque de Los
Muchachos astronomical observatory.
The northern half of the island is dominated by the National Park
of "La Caldera de Taburiente", with a crater of 10 kilometres
in diameter, completely colonised by endemic pine trees and plants.
The geology of the Caldera provides breathtaking scenery and makes
it an exceptional location, an unforgettable place for those who
have had the pleasure of visiting it.
La Palma could be considered very fortunate due to the fact that,
although it is on the same latitude as the Sahara Desert, its
shape and its situation deep in the Atlantic Ocean, permit it
to pick up all the benefits of the "Alisios Winds".
It has a very stable climate with temperatures averaging 22C throughout
the year and a rainfall that maintains its rich vegetation, best
witnessed in the forest of "Los Tilos" which has been
declared Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.
The
summits, the deep ravines, the brightness of its skies, the deep
green of its countryside made possible by the abundance of water,
together with its roads, footpaths, beaches of black sands of
volcanic origin, make La Palma a calm and incomparably agreeable
place for the holidays of your dreams.
Its artistic heritage, together with its natural beauty, provide
a combination which allows La Palma to be of particular interest
to the visitor conscious of Nature and Art. Its fabulous collection
of XVI century Flamenco art pieces, is outstanding and the most
important in the Canaries. Its traditional architecture, both
urban and rural, its archaeological heritage, its handicrafts,
food, wines, folklore; all this is enveloped by the idiosyncrasy
of the cheerful and hospitable "Palmeros".
The island can be reached by both air and sea. "El Puerto"
(the harbour) located in the capital of Santa Cruz de La Palma,
has direct links with the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria
by modern ferry boats. There are air links with the rest of the
archipelago and Madrid by regular flights, as well as flights
to some other important European cities. In the interior, there
is a network of buses (guaguas) plus taxis, cars and bicycles
for hire. Everything is available to enable the visitor to explore
tourist attractions and places of specific interes
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