La Gomera is the second smallest island of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is located at 28°06′N 17°08′W. Capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife Official language(s) Spanish Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % of Spain Ranked 13th  7,447 km²  1. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ...

Los Organos, La Gomera.

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Political organization

La Gomera is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is divided into six municipalities: In addition to its seventeen autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty provinces. ... Santa Cruz de Tenerife province Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a province of Spain, consisting of the western part of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. ... This is a list of the municipalities in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, Spain. ...

• Agulo
• Alajeró
• San Sebastián de la Gomera
• Hermigua
• Valle Gran Rey
• Vallehermoso

The island government (cabildo insular) is located in the capital, San Sebastián. Agulo is located on the north coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ... Alajeró is located on the southern coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ... San Sebastián de la Gomera (Spanish meaning Saint Sebastian) is located on the northeastern coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ... Hermigua is located on the northeastern coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ... Valle Gran Rey (Spanish meaning the Valley of the Great Kings) is located on the southwestern coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ... Vallehermoso is located on the southwestern and the northwestern coasts of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ...

Ecology

The island is of volcanic origin and roughly circular, about 15 miles in diameter and rising to nearly 5000 feet at the central peak of Garajonay. It is shaped rather like half of a peeled orange from which the segments have been parted, leaving deep ravines or barrancos which are coated, like icing, with laurisilva - or laurel rain forest. Volcano 1. ... Laurisilva on in the National Park Garajonay on La Gomera Laurisilva on La Palma Laurisilva is a type of humid subtropical laurel forest found on several of the Macaronesian islands of the north Atlantic, namely the Azores, Madeira Islands, and the Canary Islands. ...

The upper reaches of this densely wooded region are almost permanently shrouded in cloud and swirling mist, which has created lush and diverse vegetation. This is the Garajonay National Park which enjoys UNESCO recognition and protection of the environment. The slopes are criss-crossed by paths, presenting varying levels of challenge to walkers, and stunning views to reward the energetic. Garajonay National Park (Parque nacional de Garajonay) is located in the center and north of the island of La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands. ... UNESCO logo UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ...

The central mountains catch the moisture from the trade wind clouds and create a jungle climate rich in vegetation high in the cooler air, which contrasts with the warmer sun-baked cliffs near sea level. The trade winds are a pattern of wind found in bands around the Earths equatorial region. ...

Between these extremes is a fascinating range of vegetation, and the Gomerans have for centuries farmed the lower levels, channelling water for the irrigation of their vines, fruits and vegetables, such as bananas.

Culture

In 2003, some 19,580 people lived on La Gomera. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The local wine is distinctive, and complements a tapa (snack) of Gomerian cheese, roasted pork or goat meat.

The Gomerans have a unique way of communicating across the barrancos (valleys) by an amazing kind of whistled speech called Silbo. Invented by the original inhabitants of the island, the Guanches, Silbo was adopted by the Spanish settlers in the 16th century and survived after the extinction of the Guanches. When this unique medium of communication was about to die out early in the 21st century, the local government required all children to learn it in school. This article or section should be merged with Whistled language . ... The Silbo Gomero (Gomeran whistle) is a whistled language spoken by inhabitants of La Gomera in the Canary Islands to communicate across the deep valleys (barrancos) that radiate through the island (Busnel and Classe 1976: 1). ... Guanches (also: Guanchis or Guanchos) were the first known inhabitants of the Canary Islands. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The 21st century is the present century of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Christopher Columbus made La Gomera his last port of call before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. The house in San Sebastián in which he stayed is now a tourist attraction. Christopher Columbus (1451?-1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... San Sebastián de la Gomera (Spanish meaning Saint Sebastian) is located on the northeastern coast of La Gomera in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. ...

Notable Natives and Residents

• Antonio José Ruiz de Padrón (1757-1823), Franciscan priest and politician.
• José Aguiar (1895-1975), painter.
• Pedro García Cabrera (1905-1981), writer and poet.

Pedro García Cabrera (August 19, 1905-March 20, 1981), Spanish writer and poet. ...

External links

• Cabildo de La Gomera
• Photo gallery Gomera
• La Gomera map