Las Palmas

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Province and capital of the Canary Islands and tourist resort on Gran Canaria; population (2000 est) 352,600. It lies in the northeast of the island on a narrow coastal strip, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and cliffs containing rock houses on the other. Products include sugar, bananas, and tobacco, and the area is an important tourist and administrative centre. Its port, Puerto de La Luz, is a hub of trade in the Archipelago, with fishing, servicing of fishing fleets, and the supply and refuelling of transatlantic ships being its most important industries.

History
The city was originally founded in 1478 by the Castilians who conquered the island. They introduced sugar cane to the island and produced sugar for the European market. The early city was built around the plaza of Santa Ana, where construction of a cathedral was begun in the 15th century. The city's port was located in the northern side of the town. The settlement was fortified in the face of threats of attack by sea, and it did not expand beyond the city walls until the 19th century.

The cog-wheel and rice plant stand for industry and agriculture. The stars represent the 14 states. Blue symbolizes peace. Red denotes courage. Effective date: 4 January 1974. >>