LAS PALMAS, the capital of the Spanish island of Grand Canary, in the Canary archipelago, in 28° 7' N. and 24' W. With pop. (1933 est.) of 81,858, it is the largest city in the Canary islands, of which it was the capital until 1833. Its bishop is sub ordinate to the archbishop of Seville. The palms from which the city derives its name are still characteristic of the fertile valley which it occupies. Las Palmas is built on both banks of a small river, and although parts of it date from the i6th century, it is on the whole a clean and modern city, well drained, and supplied with pure water, conveyed by an aqueduct from the highlands of the interior. Its principal buildings include a handsome cathedral, founded in the i6th century but only completed in the i9th, a theatre, a museum, an academy of art, and several hospitals and good schools. The modern development of Las Palmas is largely due to the foreign merchants, and especially to the British who control the greater portion of the local commerce. La Luz, the
port, is connected with Las Palmas by a railway 4 m. long. It is strongly fortified. The harbour, protected by the promontory of La Isleta, which is connected with the mainland by a narrow bar of sand, can accommodate the largest ships, and affords secure an chorage in all weathers. Ships can discharge at the breakwater (1,257 yd. long) or at the Santa Catalina mole, constructed in 1883-1902. The minimum depth of water alongside the quays is 41 ft. La Luz is one of the principal Atlantic coaling stations, and the coal-trade is entirely in British hands. The chief exports are fruit, vegetables, sugar, wine and cochineal; coal, iron, cement, timber, petroleum, manure, textiles and provisions are the chief imports. (See also CANARY ISLANDS.)