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Natasha
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« on: January 24, 2010, 07:19:10 AM » |
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Gran Canaria (in English, "Grand (or Great) Canary") is the second most populous island of the Canary Islands, after Tenerife.
Gran Canaria is divided into 21 municipalities;
* Agaete
* Agüimes
* Artenara
* Arucas
* Firgas
* Gáldar
* Ingenio
* Mogán
* Moya
* Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
* San Bartolomé deTirajana
* San Nicolás de Tolentino
* Sta. Brígida
* Sta. Lucía de Tirajana
* Santa María de Guía
* Tejeda
* Telde
* Teror
* Valleseco
* Valsequillo
* Vega de San Mateo
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of the province of Las Palmas, and also one of the two capitals of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Gran Canaria has highways encircling the whole island and extending into the mountain areas.
The Gran Canaria International Airport is the only airport on the island.
It has so many aircraft and passengers passing through it each year that it is placed as one of the busiest in Spain.
Gran Canaria is also responsible for controlling all air traffic in The Canaries.
This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, with its long golden beaches and endless dunes of white sand, its green ravines and picturesque villages.
Tourism is predominantly in the southern part of the island as the climate in the south is warmer with the north being markedly cooler & has more rainfall.
The south boasts a large bird park, Palmitos Park, as well as many beach resort communities.
The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.
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In the Municipality of Mogán, where the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán are located,there is a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account of its many canals.
Other attractions include Cocodrilos Park, Roque Nublo (an 80m monolith), Cenobio de Valerón with about 290 caves, Cueva Pintada the most important archaeological park in Canary Islands and the botanical gardens Jardin Canario (in Tafira Alta) and Cactualdea (in La Aldea de San Nicolás).
El Dedo de Dios, or "God's Finger" was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves, and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands until destroyed by Tropical Storm Delta, that crossed the archipelago on November 2005.
The highest peak of the island is the Pico de las Nieves measuring 1.950 m.
Las Canteras Beach lies in the heart of the city & Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also well known for its annual Carnival.
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