Barlovento, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Barlovento is a municipality in the northeast of the island of La Palma. The valley is the administrative seat.

Places in the municipality

The population numbers in parentheses are from the year 2007.

• Barlovento (712 inhabitants)
• Las Cabezadas ( 458 inhabitants)
• La Cuesta ( 333 inhabitants)
• Gallegos ( 334 inhabitants)
• Lomo Machin (312 inhabitants)
• Las Paredes (101 inhabitants)
• La Tosca (59 inhabitants)
• La Palmita (49 inhabitants)
• Topaciegas (25 inhabitants)

Demographics

Since the fifties, a significant population decrease was recorded ( from 1950 to 2004: -26.4 %).

General

Before the Spanish conquest in the 15th century was called Barlovento Tagaragre. The limits Barloventos form of Barranco La Herradura in the south to San Andrés y Sauces and the Barranco de Franceses in the north to Garafía. Until 1678 Barlovento was dependent on San Andrés y Sauces, then it became independent. Right in the influence of the moist northeast trade winds are very mountainous and forested community is relatively rich in water resources. Banana, potato, avocado and citrus plantations form the basis of the local economy. Although the tourism is increasing, but is a far more low economic factor.

Places of interest

• Mirador de La Tosca with views of the green north of the island
• The Lighthouse (Faro) Punta Cumplida, 1867
• Natural swimming pools of Piscinas Fajana
• Lagoon of Barlovento, the largest reservoir of the island with five million cubic meters of capacity; here is a recreational area with bars, tables, playground and toilets
• Centre for Arts & Crafts Las Mimbreras ( the basket willow ), where baskets of various kinds are made
• The single-nave church Virgin del Rosario, the start of construction in 1581, expanded in the 17th century, the bells are to come from a Cuban sugar mill.