La Palma Travel Guide, Canary Islands

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La Palma Click on the map to see our photo gallery for La Palma. The map requested shows only a limited number of the resorts on the island, if the resort you are looking for is not indicated on the map, please don't give up. If you are looking for a specific resort or place, you may find by browsing through our image gallery that you will find the location you are looking for and a brief summary of the place or image submitted. We hope to give you a good idea about the location, hotels and places of interest to help you make your mind up and find the perfect holiday destination for you. Click HERE to see our image gallery of the island you have chosen. If you find the holiday destination you are looking for, why not submit your favourite holiday photos and help others in there quest to find their perfect holiday destination. About La Palma La Palma, a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off Africa. It is located at 28°40′N 17°52′W. La Palma has an area of 706 km². Total population is about 85,000, of which 18,000 (2003 data) live in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma and about 20,000 (2004 data) in Los Llanos de Aridane. La Palma's geography is a result of the volcanic building of the island. The highest peaks reach about 2.4 km above sea level, and the foundation of the island reaches more than 3 km below sea level. The northern part of La Palma is dominated by the Caldera de Taburiente, the largest erosion crater in the world, with a width of 9 km and a depth of 1.5 km. It is surrounded by a ring of mountains ranging from 1.6 km to 2.4 km in height. Only the deep canyon Barranco de las Angustias leads into the inner area of the caldera which is a national park. It can be reached only by hiking. The outer slopes are cut by numerous gorges which run from 2 km down to the sea. Today, only few of these carry water due to the water tunnels. From the caldera to the south runs the ridge Cumbre Nueva. The southern part of La Palma is dominated by the Cumbre Vieja, a ridge formed by numerous volcanic cones built of ashes, providing a rather bizarre landscape. Several of these volcanoes are still active. The southern cape Punta de Fuencaliente, where the most recent volcanic activities took place, consists of lava and ashes. La Palma is dominated by the colours blue, green and black. Blue is the surrounding ubiquitous sea. Green comes from the abundant plant life which is the most diverse in the Canary Islands. Black comes from the volcanic rocks that still fill the landscape, and from the numerous small beaches made of black sand. The island was formed as a seamount by the volcanic activities like all of the Canary Islands. La Palma is the most active volcano of the Canary Islands and was formed 3 million years ago. It rises 3.5 km from the sea floor to the sea surface and reaches a height of 2.426 km above sea level. 500,000 years ago the primary volcano Taburiente collapsed with a giant landslide which formed the Caldera de Taburiente. The known historic eruptions are: · 1470-1492 Montaña Quemada · 1585 Tajuya near El Paso · 1646 Volcán San Martin · 1677 Volcán San Antonio · 1712 El Charco · 1949 Volcán San Juan, Duraznero, Hoyo Negro · 1971 Volcán Teneguía During the 1949 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja a small amount of surface subsidence occurred close to the small volcano vent. In a highly disputed BBC Horizon program, two scientists used this minor surface anomaly to claim that half of La Palma slipped four meters downwards into the Atlantic Ocean. There is overwhelming physical evidence that this did not in fact occur. They believe that this process was driven by the pressure caused by the rising magma heating and vaporizing water trapped within the structure of the island. They projected that during a future eruption, the western half of the island, weighing perhaps 500 billion tonnes, could slide into the ocean. This could generate a giant wave known as a megatsunami around 1 km high in the region of the islands. The wave would fan out across the Atlantic and strike the Caribbean and the eastern American seaboard several hours later with a wave possibly 90 m high causing massive devastation along the coastlines. However, based on long term analyses scientists at Southampton University state that the flank of the island would crumble away, instead of falling into the ocean in a large mass, sparing the coasts. Scientists in the Netherlands and America have shown the calculations to be incorrect and that even in the worst case any wave created would not be more than 1 m high if and when it reached the eastern American seaboard.[citation needed] The British authorities have analysed the evidence and do not believe that there is a risk. Since the showing of the program the BBC has issued a statement that the calculations are a so-called worst case scenario.
Around the Island La Palma has not been developed into a centre for mas tourism, and lets hope that it never does. The island is a nature lovers paradise and is predominantly geared up for tourists who just want to get out into the beautiful countryside and take in the magnificent views. It truly is an island for people who just want to get out and walk , relax and re wind their batteries. The island does have some beaches but if you like to get into the water these beaches can be quite rough and at times are not for the faint hearted, high waves and strong currents are often the case and you really do need to be cautious. Having said that, if the conditions are right the crystal clear waters can be fantastic for snorkeling and diving. The atmosphere of the island is quite laid back, natural and authentic. This generally means the night life is very low key. A meal at the local restaurant and a casual walk in the evenings is about as lively as it gets. If you are determined to find a more lively night life try Santa Cruz, you will find a more up beat night life in the capital. The capital Santa Cruz de La Palma was founded by Alonso Fernandez de Lugo in1493. The capital town is not that big and it does have some interesting old buildings mixed in with the more modern restaurants and cafes. Playa Nogales On the east coast of the island you will find Playa Nogales, this can be a relatively calm beach depending on the conditions. The beach is a good stretch of black sand, there are some facilities on this beach and it is said to be one of the best beaches on the island. Playa Zamora Playa Zamora is a black sandy beach in the south west of the island that never seems to get too crowded. This is another beach that when the conditions are right it is very good for snorkeling. Fuencaliente Right on the southern tip of the island and surrounded by national parks is Fuencaliente. A dark sand and stony beach with a few facilities. Playa de los Cancajos Just south of Santa Cruz on the west coast of the island Playa de los Cancajos is a rapidly growing resort located fairly close to the airport. The beach is a small cove of black sand and some rocky outcrops. Arenes Blancas The name of this resort is Arenes Blancas which translated means white sands, and strangely enough this beach does have white sands, very unusual for La palma. This area is also a favourite for the divers due to the excellent viability of the water. Puerto Naos Puerto Naos is one of the oldest tourist centres on the island. The wide black sandy beach has been planted with palm trees giving it a truly Caribbean appearance. The sea can be calm at times making diving and snorkeling an absolute must if you are interested. Bajamar Bajamar is a small cove with a few local facilities including a charming promenade that fronts the beach.

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La Palma

Click on the map to see our photo gallery for La Palma.

The map requested shows only a limited number of the resorts on the island, if the resort you are looking for is not indicated on the map, please don't give up. If you are looking for a specific resort or place, you may find by browsing through our image gallery that you will find the location you are looking for and a brief summary of the place or image submitted.

We hope to give you a good idea about the location, hotels and places of interest to help you make your mind up and find the perfect holiday destination for you.

Click HERE to see our image gallery of the island you have chosen.

If you find the holiday destination you are looking for, why not submit your favourite holiday photos and help others in there quest to find their perfect holiday destination.

About La Palma

La Palma, a Spanish island, is one of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off Africa. It is located at 28°40′N 17°52′W.

La Palma has an area of 706 km². Total population is about 85,000, of which 18,000 (2003 data) live in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma and about 20,000 (2004 data) in Los Llanos de Aridane.
La Palma's geography is a result of the volcanic building of the island. The highest peaks reach about 2.4 km above sea level, and the foundation of the island reaches more than 3 km below sea level. The northern part of La Palma is dominated by the Caldera de Taburiente, the largest erosion crater in the world, with a width of 9 km and a depth of 1.5 km. It is surrounded by a ring of mountains ranging from 1.6 km to 2.4 km in height. Only the deep canyon Barranco de las Angustias leads into the inner area of the caldera which is a national park. It can be reached only by hiking. The outer slopes are cut by numerous gorges which run from 2 km down to the sea. Today, only few of these carry water due to the water tunnels.

From the caldera to the south runs the ridge Cumbre Nueva. The southern part of La Palma is dominated by the Cumbre Vieja, a ridge formed by numerous volcanic cones built of ashes, providing a rather bizarre landscape. Several of these volcanoes are still active. The southern cape Punta de Fuencaliente, where the most recent volcanic activities took place, consists of lava and ashes.

La Palma is dominated by the colours blue, green and black. Blue is the surrounding ubiquitous sea. Green comes from the abundant plant life which is the most diverse in the Canary Islands. Black comes from the volcanic rocks that still fill the landscape, and from the numerous small beaches made of black sand.

The island was formed as a seamount by the volcanic activities like all of the Canary Islands. La Palma is the most active volcano of the Canary Islands and was formed 3 million years ago. It rises 3.5 km from the sea floor to the sea surface and reaches a height of 2.426 km above sea level. 500,000 years ago the primary volcano Taburiente collapsed with a giant landslide which formed the Caldera de Taburiente. The known historic eruptions are:

· 1470-1492 Montaña Quemada
· 1585 Tajuya near El Paso
· 1646 Volcán San Martin
· 1677 Volcán San Antonio
· 1712 El Charco
· 1949 Volcán San Juan, Duraznero, Hoyo Negro
· 1971 Volcán Teneguía

During the 1949 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja a small amount of surface subsidence occurred close to the small volcano vent. In a highly disputed BBC Horizon program, two scientists used this minor surface anomaly to claim that half of La Palma slipped four meters downwards into the Atlantic Ocean. There is overwhelming physical evidence that this did not in fact occur. They believe that this process was driven by the pressure caused by the rising magma heating and vaporizing water trapped within the structure of the island. They projected that during a future eruption, the western half of the island, weighing perhaps 500 billion tonnes, could slide into the ocean. This could generate a giant wave known as a megatsunami around 1 km high in the region of the islands. The wave would fan out across the Atlantic and strike the Caribbean and the eastern American seaboard several hours later with a wave possibly 90 m high causing massive devastation along the coastlines. However, based on long term analyses scientists at Southampton University state that the flank of the island would crumble away, instead of falling into the ocean in a large mass, sparing the coasts. Scientists in the Netherlands and America have shown the calculations to be incorrect and that even in the worst case any wave created would not be more than 1 m high if and when it reached the eastern American seaboard.[citation needed] The British authorities have analysed the evidence and do not believe that there is a risk. Since the showing of the program the BBC has issued a statement that the calculations are a so-called worst case scenario.