| Las Palmas is a very large city in a rather small | | | | Shopping |
| Atlantic island, Gran Canaria. With almost 400.000 | | | | Being such a large city, shopping abound of course. |
| inhabitants, It is the capital of Gran Canaria as well as | | | | The centric zone of Mesa y López offers all |
| the administrative center of the province of Las | | | | mayor stores and brands such as El Corte |
| Palmas (covering the islands of Gran Canaria, | | | | Inglés and Zara. If you prefer a more classic |
| Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). This city is situated | | | | shopping area, Triana would be your choice. Now, for |
| about 200 km of the African coast. | | | | the serious shoppers, this capital offers a whole bunch |
| Foundation of the city | | | | of shopping malls, like Las Arenas (at the Canteras |
| Las Palmas was founded in 1478 by castillian millitary | | | | beach), El Muelle (in the port area), Siete Palmas as |
| forces (from mainland Spain, as we now it today), | | | | well as La Ballena. |
| defeating the local guanche aborigines. The city laid its | | | | Beaches |
| foundations in the area of La Vegueta, today known | | | | One of the landmarks of Las Palmas is of course the |
| as the old town. If you ever visit the city, a walk | | | | famous Las Canteras beach, a 3 km long beach in the |
| through Vegueta is highly recommended with its | | | | middle of the city, offering year-round relax. |
| narrow streets and medevial buildings and houses. | | | | You´ll also have the option to visit the |
| Las Palmas and Christopher Columbus | | | | Alcaravanera beach on the port side of Las Palmas. |
| The conquest of America soon took off and this city | | | | The people is very proud of its beach, and this is an |
| became the final outpost before heading over towards | | | | area where you can not only relax at the beach, but |
| New Spain. Christopher Columbus (Colón in | | | | also enjoy good food, take a walk with your friends or |
| Spanish) stopped by several times, and the house in | | | | just sit down to have a 'caña de Tropical' (a |
| where he stayed during his visits is today a museum | | | | small glass of the local beer). |
| over the American Conquest (Casa Colón). | | | | Events |
| Las Palmas climate | | | | The most important fiesta of the year is the Carnival. |
| There is a study carried out by the Syracuse | | | | This yearly mega-event starts in february. The carnival |
| University, USA, concluding that the city enjoys the | | | | has a long tradition in Las Palmas as well as all over |
| best climate in the world. A proper description would | | | | the Canary Islands. Well worth a visit! |
| be "eternal spring". | | | | |