SPOTLIGHT ON LA GOMERA La Gomera is the second smallest of the 7 main Canary Islands and has a population of approximately 22,000, with San Sebastian de La Gomera being the capital. The island is of volcanic origin and roughly circular; it is about 22 km (14 mi) in diameter and rises to 1487 m (nearly 5000 feet) at the islands highest peak, Alto de 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. The uppermost slopes of these barrancos, in turn, are covered by the laurisilva - or laurel rain forest, where up to 50 inches of precipitation fall each year. 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 Spains 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.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 11:39:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015