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The Canary Islands - La Gomera

A brief summary of La Gomera.

La Gomera is one of the smaller of the Canary Islands. Quite tranquil and largely unspoilt, you can expect a real chill-out holiday or visit here.

The island of La Gomera, has an area of 378 sq.km. It is the second smallest of the Canary Islands. The highest mountain is the "Garajonay", reaching an altitude of 1487m. About 16.000 people live on the island. The capital is San Sebastian de la Gomera, with a ferry harbour and a marina for sport boats. The airport for flights between the islands is situated in Playa de Santiago in the south of the island. La Gomera's marvellous character comes from its rough nature, and the deep, spectacular valleys, called "barrancos". In the middle of the island you find the national park "Garajonay", which is a protected area, with it`s "Laurisilva" forest. This has been declared by the UNESCO as an Human Heritage area. The forest gets the water it needs, from the trade wind clouds, coming from the north towards the island. This is the reason, why it is also called misty forest. All over the island you can find remote beaches and impressive tracks for hiking tours. Today, the main income of the island is, tourism with small apartment establishments and the "turismo rural", with traditional "fincas" predominating on the island.

The "baile del tambor" is a typical and rhythmic dance with drums, traditionally for celebrating religious fiestas. Chácaras, a type of castanets are also used. When celebrating the religious festivities the islanders carry the patron saint of a village or of the fishermen, from the chapel to their village and back. This is an impressive event for all visitors of La Gomera. In Playa de Santiago, they have the "Fiesta del Carmen", patron saint of the fishermen, in the middle of July. In the mountain village of Alajerķ you can visit the "Fiesta de nuestra Seņora del Buen Paso" in the middle of September, with a large procession and traditional customs.

El Silbo is an old whistling language of the inhabitants. Only by whistling signals was it possible to talk to each other without climbing for hours through the large barrancos from one village to the other. Today el Silbo is again taught in the local shools.

On the island of La Gomera you can find also traditional handicrafts like hand made pottery, basket-making, carving or weaving. Visitors who are interested in pottery, can have a little course with Doņa Rufina, in the mountain village of El Cercado. She knows everything about this traditional handicraft.
 

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