The Canary Island La Palma

Facts:
Size: 706 sqkm
Population: approx. 80.000
Capital: Santa Cruz de la Palma (approx. 18.000 inhibants)

La Palma, greenest of the Canary Islands, is situated in the western part of the archipielago. The island has a surface of 706 km² and the highest peak has 2.426 m of altitude. Because of its geographical position the climate there is ideal and the atmospheric balance unique. Because of this and the particularly clean air, it was decided that La Palma is an ideal spot for the installation of the astrophysical observatory, which is now situated in ‘El Roque de los Muchachos’.


A large amount of nature areas are found here, which reach from coasts with subtropical climates, laurel- or pine tree forests to high mountain areas with continental climate. Plenty of volcano craters and rivers and walls of magma remind of the volcanic origin of this island, which lends the landscape a peculiar charm.

Even the most casual observer will notice the variety of the plant life. Apart from the beauty of the endemic plants they have an immense scientific value.
The flora is also remarkable because of its variety of insects and birds. The most important springs of the Canary Islands are situated here on this island. Only here you’ll find streams of fresh, clean water. The most important ones are in the ‘Caldera de Taburiente’, in ‘Marcos y Corderos’, in ‘Los Sauces’ and in the ravine of the ‘Rio’ (river) near Santa Cruz.