La Gomera

:"an entirely different island is Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera off Morocco" Infobox Islands
name = La Gomera


image caption = Flag of La Gomera
image size = 150 px
locator

native name =
native name link = Spain
nickname =
location = Atlantic Ocean
coordinates = coord|28|06|N|17|08|W|
archipelago = Canary Islands
area = 369,76 km²
highest mount = Garajonay
elevation = 1,484 m
country = Spain
country admin divisions title = Autonomous Community
country admin divisions = Canary Islands
country admin divisions title 1 = Province
country admin divisions 1 = Santa Cruz de Tenerife
country admin divisions title 2 =
country admin divisions 2 =
country capital city = San Sebastián de la Gomera
country largest city = San Sebastián de la Gomera
country largest city population = 8451
country leader title =
country leader name =
population = 21,952
population as of = 2006
density = 55,32
ethnic groups =
additional info =

La Gomera is the second-smallest of Spain's Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is located at coord|28|06|N|17|08|W|.Gomera is an Arabic word meaning 'small firebrand'.

Political organization

La Gomera is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is divided into six municipalities:
*Agulo
*Alajeró
*San Sebastián de la Gomera
*Hermigua
*Valle Gran Rey
*Vallehermoso

The island government ("cabildo insular") is located in the capital, San Sebastián.

Ecology

The island is of volcanic origin and roughly circular; it is about 22 km (15 miles) in diameter and rises to 1487 m (nearly 5000 feet) at the island's highest peak, Garajonay. Its shape is rather like an orange that has been cut in half and then split into segments, which has left deep ravines or "barrancos" between them. These "barrancos", in turn, are covered by the "laurisilva" - or laurel rain forest.

The upper reaches of this densely wooded region are almost permanently shrouded in clouds and mist, and as a result are covered in lush and diverse vegetation: they form the protected environment of Spain's Garajonay National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The slopes are criss-crossed by paths that present varying levels of difficulty to visitors, and stunning views to seasoned hikers.

The central mountains catch the moisture from the trade wind clouds and yield a dense jungle climate in the cooler air, which contrasts with the warmer, sun-baked cliffs near sea level.

Between these extremes one finds a fascinating gamut of microclimates; for centuries, the inhabitants of La Gomera have farmed the lower levels by channelling runoff water to irrigate their vineyards, orchards and banana groves.

Culture

In 2003, some 19,580 people lived on La Gomera.

The local wine is distinctive, and is often accompanied with a "tapa" (snack) of local cheese, roasted pork or goat meat.

The inhabitants of La Gomera have a unique way of communicating across deep ravines by means of an amazing whistled speech called "Silbo Gomero". This whistled language is indigenous to the island, and its existence has been documented since Roman times. Invented by the original inhabitants of the island, the Guanches, "Silbo Gomero" was adopted by the Spanish settlers in the 16th century and survived after the Guanches died out. When this unique means of communication was threatened with extinction at the dawn of the 21st century, the local government required all children to learn it in school.

In the mountains of La Gomera, its original inhabitants, worshipped their god, whom they called Orahan; the summit and centre of the island served as their grand sanctuary. Indeed, many of the natives took refuge in this sacred territory in 1489, as they were faced imminent defeat at the hands of the Spaniards, and it was here that the conquest of La Gomera was drawn to a close. Modern-day archaeologists have found several ceremonial stone constructions here, which appear to represent sacrificial altar stones, slate hollows or cavities. It was here that the Guanches built pyres upon which to make offerings of goats and sheep to their god. This same god, Orahan, was known on La Palma as Abora and on Tenerife and Gran Canaria as Arocan.

Christopher Columbus made La Gomera his last port of call before crossing the Atlantic in 1492. He stopped here to replenish his crew's wine and water, intending to stay only four days. However, he became romantically involved with Beatriz de Bobadilla, the governor of La Gomera, and he ended up staying one month. When he finally sailed she gave him cuttings of sugarcane, which became the first to reach the New World. The house in San Sebastián in which he stayed is now a tourist attraction.

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.

External links

* [http://www.cabildogomera.org/ Cabildo de La Gomera]