"Las Palmas a big city on a small island" Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by Joacim

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a Spanish city (and municipality) on the island, Gran Canaria,It is also the capital city of the province of Las Palmas and the co-capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, sharing this status with Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The population of the city of Las Palmas was 377,056 as of 2006, making it the largest city in the Canary Islands and the 9th most populous city in Spain. The population of the whole urban area was estimated in 2005 to be 723,629, ranking as the eighth largest metropolitan area in Spain. (Gran Canaria island had 807,049 inhabitants in 2006).

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The city was founded on June 24, 1478, with the name "Real de Las Palmas" by Juan Rejón, head of the invading Castilian army, before engaging in war with the local Guanches (aboriginal people of the Canary Islands). In 1492, Christopher Columbus anchored in the Port of Las Palmas (and spent some time on the island) on his first trip to the Americas. He also stopped on the way back to Spain. Today, a museum is named after him - Casa Colón - in the Vegueta area of the city.