Garajonay National Park

Garajonay National Park, Canary Islands, Spain

Garajonay National Park, national park located at the centre of La Gomera island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife provincia (province), in the Canary Islands comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), Spain. The park, created in 1980, occupies about 15 square miles (40 square km) and encompasses the peak of Garajonay (4,869 feet [1,484 metres]) and a small plateau rising 2,600 to 4,600 feet (790 to 1,400 metres) above sea level. Laurel dominates the flora, which includes Azores laurel, Canary holly, and Canary willow. Rare laurel pigeons and long-toed pigeons inhabit the area. Atlantic mists support a lush vegetation that abounds in ferns; lichens and mosses cover tree trunks. The climate is influenced by trade winds and heavy rainfall (more than 31 inches [800 mm] annually). The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.