 La Gomera is characterised by its central massif which reaches a height of 1,487 meters and drops steeply to the sea. The region of Alto de Garajonay was declared a National Park.Particularly interesting are the ancient and very original popular customs.
In order to overcome the problem of distance and remoteness, the inhabitants of the valleys use a language that comprises mostly of whistling to communicate with each other. Although this language has been compared to the "yodling" of Central European Alps, its purpose is completely distinct.
Since the arrival of the Europeans, La Gomera has witnessed a colourful history. Its name is the product of a legend that reaches back in time to the biblical age of a son of Jafet, himself was a son of Noah, named Gomer.
The island was known of by the Phoenicians and was quoted about by classical authors such as Pliny and Ptolemy, who called the island Pluvialia, island without rivers, where the only water is provided by rainfall.
La Gomera entered western history in the 15th century with the arrival of the conquistadores. Before that, in 1492 and on his way on a journey into the unknown, Christopher Columbus stopped in the bay of San Sebastián, where the island's capital is located.
Since this period, Gomerans have called their island the Isla Colombina, in reference to this famous visit. The Tower del Conde, the Church of La Asunción, where members of the expedition and their mission were blessed, and the Well of the Aguada, which all still exist, were witness to the presence on the island of the discoverers of America.
More information:
www.gomera-island.com
http://turismodecanarias.com/
http://www.dis.ulpgc.es/
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