# Alajeró > municipality of Spain **Wikidata**: [Q932914](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q932914) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alajeró) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alajer ## Summary Alajeró is a municipality located on the island of La Gomera, which is part of the Canary Islands archipelago of Spain. Established as an administrative territorial entity in 1842, Alajeró is situated in the southwestern Atlantic region of Spain and serves as a local government unit within the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The municipality covers a geographic area on one of the seven main Canary Islands and operates under the administrative framework of the Kingdom of Spain. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type:** Municipality of Spain - **Location:** La Gomera island, Canary Islands, Spain - **Inception:** 1842 (as municipal administrative entity) - **Country:** Spain (Q29 - Kingdom of Spain) - **Province:** Santa Cruz de Tenerife - **Autonomous Community:** Canary Islands - **Coordinates:** Latitude 28.0619917° N, Longitude -17.2383666° W - **Official Website:** https://www.ayuntamientoalajero.es/ - **Wikipedia Title:** Alajeró - **Wikidata Description:** municipality of Spain - **Sitelink Count:** 42 - **Island Classification:** La Gomera is one of the main islands of the Canary archipelago ## FAQs **Where is Alajeró located?** Alajeró is a municipality situated on La Gomera, which is one of the seven main islands making up the Canary Islands archipelago. The Canary Islands are an autonomous community of Spain located in the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa, though they are administratively part of Europe. Alajeró's specific coordinates are 28.0619917° N latitude and -17.2383666° W longitude. **What type of administrative entity is Alajeró?** Alajeró is classified as a municipality of Spain (municipio de España), which is the lowest level of administrative territorial entity in Spain. Spanish municipalities are the basic territorial units of local government, each governed by a city council (ayuntamiento). The municipality was formally established in 1842 as part of the reorganization of local administration in Spain. **What is the relationship between Alajeró and the Canary Islands?** Alajeró is located on La Gomera, one of the main islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. The Canary Islands constitute an autonomous community of Spain with significant self-governance. La Gomera is known for its dramatic volcanic landscape, deep ravines, and the Garajonay National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Canary Islands are geographically located in the Atlantic Ocean but are politically and administratively part of Spain, which is a member of the European Union. **What province is Alajeró in?** Alajeró belongs to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the two provinces that make up the Canary Islands (the other being Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). The province includes the western islands of the archipelago, including Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro. **What is the administrative structure of Spain that includes Alajeró?** Alajeró fits into Spain's administrative hierarchy as follows: Spain (sovereign state) → Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands → Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife → Municipality of Alajeró. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities, which are further subdivided into 50 provinces, and then into approximately 8,124 municipalities. **What is known about Alajeró's population?** According to the structured properties data, Alajeró has had varying population figures over time, with recorded values including 2,066; 2,039; 2,016; 2,048; 2,110; 2,146; 2,142; 2,054; 1,954; 1,894; 1,533; 1,406; 2,025; 1,971; 1,983; 2,006; 2,017; 2,026; 2,047; 2,029; 2,056; 2,071; and 2,061 residents. These figures represent different census years or estimates throughout the municipality's history. ## Why It Matters Alajeró represents the local governmental structure on the island of La Gomera, which holds significant geographic and ecological importance within the Canary Islands archipelago. The municipality serves as a representative example of how Spain's municipal system operates in the Canary Islands, a region that occupies a unique geopolitical position as a transcontinental territory with territories in both Europe and Africa. La Gomera itself is notable for its exceptional biodiversity and dramatic terrain, making it a destination of interest for researchers, tourists, and those studying volcanic island ecosystems. The existence of Alajeró as a municipality since 1842 demonstrates the continuity of Spain's administrative framework in the post-colonial period and illustrates how local governance has evolved to serve the residents of this Atlantic island. The municipality's website (https://www.ayuntamientoalajero.es/) indicates active local governance serving the population. From a broader perspective, Alajeró exists within a region of considerable strategic importance. The Canary Islands serve as a bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, with the archipelago playing roles in transatlantic trade, migration, and European Union external border management. The municipality's location on La Gomera places it within proximity to significant maritime routes and at the edge of European Union territory. ## Notable For - **Island Location:** Situated on La Gomera, one of the seven main Canary Islands, known for its unique ecosystem and dramatic volcanic terrain - **Administrative History:** Established as a Spanish municipality in 1842, reflecting the modern municipal organization of Spain - **Geographic Coordinates:** Located at 28.0619917° N, -17.2383666° W, placing it in the Atlantic Ocean region west of the African continent - **Canary Island Context:** Part of the Canary Islands, which are one of only two Spanish autonomous communities located entirely outside continental Europe - **Garajonay Proximity:** Located on an island home to Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring laurisilva (laurel forest) vegetation - **Digital Presence:** Maintains an official municipal website, indicating active local governance and public service provision ## Body ### Geography and Location Alajeró is positioned on the island of La Gomera, which is one of the seven principal islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. The municipality's precise coordinates are 28.0619917° north latitude and 17.2383666° west longitude. La Gomera is located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 1,000 kilometers south of the Spanish mainland and about 500 kilometers from the African coast. The island has a circular shape with a diameter of approximately 25 kilometers and is characterized by a central volcanic massif with deep ravines (barrancos) radiating outward to the coast. The island's terrain is predominantly mountainous, with the highest point being Garajonay at 1,487 meters above sea level. The island's geography has historically contributed to its isolation, with the different valleys and ravines developing distinct cultural characteristics. La Gomera's volcanic origin has created a diverse landscape including cliffs, beaches, and the famous laurel forests in the higher elevations. ### Administrative History Alajeró was established as a municipality of Spain in 1842, during the reign of Queen Isabella II. This period marked a significant reorganization of Spain's administrative divisions following the Carlist Wars and the centralization of state authority. The creation of municipalities across Spain during this period established the framework for local governance that continues to the present day. The municipality operates under the Spanish municipal government system, with a city council (Ayuntamiento de Alajeró) serving as the governing body. The municipal structure in Spain consists of elected officials including the mayor (alcalde) and council members (concejales), who serve the local population and manage municipal services. ### Relationship to Higher Administrative Divisions Alajeró is part of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which encompasses the western Canary Islands including Tenerife, La Palma, and El Hierro. The province is named after its capital city, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which also serves as the capital of the Canary Islands Autonomous Community. The Canary Islands constitute one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities, granted significant self-governance including control over matters such as education, health, culture, and environmental protection. The autonomous status was formalized in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which recognized the historical and cultural distinctiveness of the archipelago. Spain itself is organized as a parliamentary monarchy under the official name Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España), with King Felipe VI as the Head of State and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as the Head of Government. Spain is a member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, among other international organizations. ### Population and Demographics The population data for Alajeró shows variation across different recording periods, with figures ranging from approximately 1,400 to over 2,100 residents. These population fluctuations reflect broader trends affecting rural and semi-rural municipalities in the Canary Islands, including migration patterns, economic opportunities, and quality of life factors. The population figures recorded include: 2,066; 2,039; 2,016; 2,048; 2,110; 2,146; 2,142; 2,054; 1,954; 1,894; 1,533; 1,406; 2,025; 1,971; 1,983; 2,006; 2,017; 2,026; 2,047; 2,029; 2,056; 2,071; and 2,061. These numbers suggest a municipality of modest size, typical of smaller municipalities in the Canary Islands outside the major urban centers. ### Connection to La Gomera Alajeró exists within the context of La Gomera's unique characteristics. The island is known for: - **Garajonay National Park:** A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, featuring the best-preserved laurisilva (laurel forest) in the Canary Islands, representing a relic of the forests that covered much of southern Europe and North Africa in the Tertiary period - **Whale and Dolphin Watching:** The waters around La Gomera are home to numerous cetacean species, making it a destination for marine wildlife observation - **Silbo Gomero:** The island is famous for Silbo Gomero, a whistled language used to communicate across the deep ravines, which has been declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO - **Traditional Agriculture:** The island's economy has historically been based on agriculture, particularly banana cultivation, vineyards, and cochineal production ### Tourism and Economic Context La Gomera, and by extension Alajeró, benefits from tourism as a significant economic driver. The island's natural attractions, including its hiking trails, beaches, and unique landscapes, draw visitors throughout the year. The Canary Islands as a whole receive millions of tourists annually, with the tourism sector representing a substantial portion of the regional economy. The municipality's official website (https://www.ayuntamientoalajero.es/) indicates active local governance and provides information about municipal services, local events, and administrative procedures for residents and visitors. ### Broader Context: Spain and the Canary Islands The Canary Islands occupy a unique position in Spanish and European geography: - **Transcontinental Location:** The Canary Islands are geographically part of Africa but politically and administratively part of Europe, representing one of the few European territories on the African continent - **European Union Territory:** As part of Spain, the Canary Islands are within the European Union, though they have special status as an Outermost Region (OR) with certain derogations - **Strategic Position:** The islands' location has historically made them important for maritime routes between Europe, Africa, and the Americas - **Autonomous Status:** The Canary Islands have self-governance similar to other Spanish autonomous communities, with the Canary Islands Government (Gobierno de Canarias) handling regional affairs Spain as a country has a population of approximately 48.6 million people (as of January 2024), uses the Euro as its currency, and operates as a parliamentary monarchy. The country is a member of numerous international organizations including the European Union (since 1986), NATO (since 1982), and the United Nations (since 1955). ### Identifier Information Alajeró carries various identifiers within different systems: - **Wikidata:** The entity is documented with sitelink_count of 42, indicating its presence across Wikimedia projects - **Wikipedia:** Has a dedicated article under the title "Alajeró" - **Geographic Coordinates:** 28.0619917° N, -17.2383666° W These identifiers facilitate the municipality's representation in knowledge bases, geographic information systems, and digital resources. ## References 1. Nomenclátor Geográfico de Municipios y Entidades de Población (20240402 edition) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. OpenStreetMap 4. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php) 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Municipal Register of Spain 2013 7. Municipal Register of Spain 2012 8. Municipal Register of Spain 2011 9. Municipal Register of Spain 2010 10. Municipal Register of Spain 2009 11. Municipal Register of Spain 2008 12. Municipal Register of Spain 2007 13. Municipal Register of Spain 2006 14. Municipal Register of Spain 2005 15. Municipal Register of Spain 2004 16. Municipal Register of Spain 2002 17. Municipal Register of Spain 2001 18. Municipal Register of Spain 2014 19. Municipal Register of Spain 2015 20. Municipal Register of Spain 2016 21. Municipal Register of Spain 2017 22. Municipal Register of Spain 2018 23. [Cifras oficiales de población resultantes de la revisión del Padrón municipal a 1 de enero. National Statistics Institute](http://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/index.htm?padre=525) 24. Municipal Register of Spain 2019 25. Municipal Register of Spain 2020 26. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021 27. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022 28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023 29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024 30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025 31. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019 32. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525) 33. GeoNames