Las Palmas

Province of Spain in the Canary Islands autonomous community, comprising the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura; area 4,072 sq km/1,572 sq mi; population (1991 est) 749,500. Las Palmas is one of two provinces in the Canary Islands, the other being Santa Cruz. The capital is Las Palmas. Tourism is important. Fruit is cultivated, especially bananas, and there is some fishing also.

The province contains archaeological evidence of the existence of the Gaunches, a population dating from ancient times, which includes rock paintings in caves near to Las Palmas city. The area was colonized by the Spanish in 1478, by Castilians under the orders of the Catholic monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand. The islands were used to cultivate sugar cane for European markets.

There is a museum dedicated to the Gaunches in the city of Las Palmas.