La Gomera

La Gomera is the second smallest of the seven main islands of the Canaries.

It is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife & is divided into 6 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.

La Gomera is of volcanic origin and roughly circular.It 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.

The slopes are criss-crossed by paths that present varying levels of difficulty to visitors, and stunning views to seasoned hikers.

The local wine is distinctive, and is often accompanied with a tapa (snack) of local cheese, roasted pork or goat meat. Other culinary specialities include almogrote, a cheese spread, and miel de palma, a syrup extracted from palm trees.

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 of La Gomera required all children to learn it in school.