Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a Spanish city, the capital city of Gran Canaria which is one of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean, 210 kilometers located off the northwestern coast of Africa. It is also the capital of the province of Las Palmas and co-capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands.

The population of the city of Las Palmas was 377,600 as of the 2003 census, making it the largest city in the Canary Islands. The population of the whole urban area was estimated in 2003 to be 609,628, ranking as the 10th-largest urban area of Spain. (Gran Canaria island had 789,908 inhabitants in 2003).

The city was founded in 1478 by Juan Rejón, after fighting the local Guanches. In 1492, Christopher Columbus stopped in the city prior to his first trip to the Americas. He also stopped on the way back to Spain.

Las Palmas is today a very cosmopolitan city. There are popular beaches nearby (Las Canteras) and a busy harbor (Puerto de la Luz harbor).

The main City Festival (Fiestas de San Juan) is in June, celebrating the foundation of the City..

The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria[1] is one of the most typical and famous parties of the city, and is not only well known in Spain, but also has worldwide fame.

There is also a good Theater and Dance Festival and an International Film Festival. You can find also the very beautiful Alfredo Kraus Auditorium named after the unforgettable tenor from Gran Canaria. It is just next to Las Canteras Beach.

Some good museums in the city are:

• Canarian Museum
• CAAM Modern Art Gallery
• Science and Technology Museum
• Nestor Museum
• Columbus House

Links:

• Info, maps, forum and webcams from Las Palmas and Gran Canaria
• City Council