La Gomera is the second smallest island of the Canaries. The Canaries are located approximately 80 miles off the coast of Africa, but they are, in both province and territories, Spanish. It sits in the Atlantic Ocean, as part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The capitol is located in San Sebastian. La Gomera, like its sister islands, is mainly of a volcanic origin that provides both natural wonder for tourists and educational value for geologists and scientists who wish to study the famous volcanic plains of the island.
The inhabitants of La Gomera have several traits linked to their island that are unique to the rest of the Canary Islands. They have a special way of communicating with each other across the deep ravines, or Barrancos, that the volcanic eruptions of the past have formed. This communication system is known as Silbo Gomero, which is a type of whistling dialect unique to that area of the world. Although the Canaries were settled by those who came from Lisbon in 1336, then by Spain later on, the islands still retain their aboriginal heritage. In 1489, the natives that inhabited La Gomera faced defeat at the hands of the influx of settling Spaniards. They fled to the mountains of La Gomera and prayed to their god to deliver them from their enemies. Today, the mountains serve as the center of the island, and archaeologists have unearthed numerous relics and sites that indicate that the site was indeed very sacred to the natives of the island.
An interesting historical fact about this Canary Island is that Christopher Columbus made La Gomera his port of call before he was to cross the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. He was romantically attached to the then governor, Beatriz de Bobadilla y Ossario, and she gave him sugarcane, which in turn became the first to reach the New World.
The climate of La Gomera is generally dry, mirroring its large volcanic landscape. However, the mountains contained within the territory yield a dense, jungle-like climate, while the cliffs can be humid and sweltering.
The North of La Gomera showcases not only the beautiful ocean, but great villages and cities that depict the rich culture of the island. Hermigua is a romantic little village that’s beautiful to visit. The most popular destination in La Gomera, however, is the Valle Gran Rey, which is the legendary valley of the Great King. It’s historical and entertaining. Agulo is not to be forgotten. The valley boasts colonial housing structures and crooked streets that echo of days past, when Spanish settlers occupied the island. Also, due to the strategic placing of the island on the coast, you can indulge in whale-watching. La Gomera has everything from lush, rugged mountain ranges and beautiful blue oceans to misty tropical rain forests and historical points of interest. The volcanic wonders of the island are a great way for any family to examine the power of Mother Nature. La Gomera is a wonderful island to visit.
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Airports of Canary Islands |
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