Puntagorda

Punta Gorda is one of the 14 municipalities of the Canary Island of La Palma. Council is based in the same place, while El Pinar is the largest village.

Places in the municipality

The population numbers in parentheses are from the year 2007.

• El Pinar ( 1062 )
• Punta Gorda ( 442)
• Fagundo (305 )
• El Roque (165 )

Demographics

General

In the north- west of La Palma, limited by the gorges Barranco de Garome in the south and Barranco de Izcagua in the north, there is the community of Punta Gorda. It is characterized by agricultural vegetable growing, species-rich vegetation and a variety of almond trees. The picturesque village of Punta Gorda is the administrative center in a gently sloping area at about 600 meters above sea level. The climate is dry and sunny in the winter there is plenty of rainfall.

The natives ( Guanches ) left significant traces in the remaining remnants of buildings and cave (pictures, cairn, canals and cup). In the 16th century the first historic site was built in the area of ​​San Mauro. Here the first church was built in the Canary Islands, already referred benefice. The Portuguese population largely made ​​San Mauro as their Patron. They cleared the Canarian pine to transform the land into arable fields. They also run cattle and put tanks on the water supply. The city had its own granary for storing grain. The original site was abandoned and moved to a different, higher location. It is located in between the centers of Cuatro Caminos, El Pinar, Fagundo and El Roque.

The unfavorable political and economic conditions in the late 19th century to early 20th century forced many residents to leave the island or to move to other communities. Today is a big proportion of the population of foreign origin, and it is recorded a moderate growth, which has brought increased prosperity to its inhabitants.

Places of interest

• El Fayal: A forest with beautiful pine trees and undergrowth of heather ( bog myrtle ). There is a recreational park and sports facilities.
• Mirador de Miraflores: vantage point on the same mountain.
• Church of San Mauro Abad: Built in the early 16th century, the church contains valuable pictures.
• As witnesses of the past are still two windmills have been preserved in the church.
• The Izcagua Gorge and large parts of the cliff are part of a nature reserve. The vegetation consists mainly of Tabaiba and spurge, both are here endemic plants.
• The old dragon trees near El Roque