# Santa Cruz de La Palma

> municipality of Spain

**Wikidata**: [Q433632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q433632)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cruz_de_La_Palma)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/santa-cruz-de-la-palma

## Summary

Santa Cruz de La Palma is a municipality and city on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands, Spain, serving as the capital of the island. Located at coordinates 28.6825°N, -17.765°W on the Atlantic Ocean coast, it is a municipality of approximately 15,690 residents (2025) covering 43.38 square kilometers at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level. The city is known for its historic architecture, role as an administrative center, and its twinned relationship with Buenos Aires, Argentina.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Santa Cruz de La Palma
- **Type:** Municipality of Spain, city
- **Country:** Spain
- **Province:** Santa Cruz de Tenerife (located in)
- **Island:** La Palma (located on/in physical feature)
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 28.6825°, Longitude -17.765°
- **Area:** 43.38 square kilometers
- **Elevation:** 4 meters above sea level
- **Population (2025):** 15,690 (register office, preferred)
- **Population (2023):** 15,441; (2022): 15,361; (2021): 15,446
- **Male Population (2019):** 7,595
- **Female Population (2019):** 8,121
- **Demonym:** Palmero, palmera
- **Timezone:** UTC+01:00 (standard, Central European Time); UTC+02:00 (daylight saving, Central European Summer Time)
- **Postal Code:** 38700
- **INE Code:** 38037
- **UN/LOCODE:** ESSPC
- **Licence Plate Code:** TF
- **Patron Saint:** Agatha of Sicily
- **Head of Government:** Sergio Carlos Matos (Mayor of Santa Cruz de La Palma)
- **Capital Of:** La Palma (the island)
- **Shares Border With:** Puntallana, El Paso, Breña Alta
- **Twinned Administrative Body:** Buenos Aires
- **Website:** http://www.santacruzdelapalma.es/ (Spanish)
- **Continent:** Europe

## FAQs

**What is Santa Cruz de La Palma known for?**

Santa Cruz de La Palma serves as the capital city of La Palma, the northwesternmost island of the Canary Islands archipelago. It is known for its historic colonial architecture, coastal location on the Atlantic Ocean, and role as the administrative center for the island's government.

**What is the population of Santa Cruz de La Palma?**

As of 2025, Santa Cruz de La Palma has a population of approximately 15,690 residents according to municipal register office data. The population has fluctuated over recent decades, with figures ranging from 18,228 in 2002 to a low of 15,361 in 2022.

**What province is Santa Cruz de La Palma in?**

Santa Cruz de La Palma is located in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of two provinces in the Canary Islands. The municipality shares borders with Puntallana, El Paso, and Breña Alta.

**What is the timezone of Santa Cruz de La Palma?**

Santa Cruz de La Palma follows Central European Time (UTC+01:00) as standard time and Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) during daylight saving time adjustments.

**What is the patron saint of Santa Cruz de La Palma?**

The patron saint of Santa Cruz de La Palma is Agatha of Sicily, also known as Saint Agatha.

**What countries have diplomatic or cultural ties with Santa Cruz de La Palma?**

Santa Cruz de La Palma is twinned with Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, establishing a formal cultural and administrative partnership between the two municipalities.

## Why It Matters

Santa Cruz de La Palma holds significant importance as the administrative and political capital of La Palma, one of the seven main Canary Islands. As the island's capital, it serves as the center of governmental functions, hosting the island council (cabildo insular) and other administrative offices that serve the approximately 85,000 residents of La Palma. The city's role as a capital makes it the primary point of contact for citizens and businesses seeking government services on the island.

The municipality's strategic coastal location at 28.6825°N, -17.765°W has made it a historical gateway between Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Its port facilities have historically facilitated trade and maritime activities, connecting the Canary Islands' economy with mainland Spain and international destinations. The UN/LOCODE identifier ESSPC reflects its function as a significant maritime location.

From a cultural perspective, Santa Cruz de La Palma preserves architectural and historical heritage that reflects its colonial past. The city's relationship with Buenos Aires through twinning demonstrates ongoing cultural connections between the Canary Islands and Latin America, a relationship rooted in historical migration patterns where many Canary Islanders emigrated to the Americas, particularly Argentina.

The municipality's population dynamics, with residents holding the demonym "Palmero" or "palmera," reflect the social fabric of this Atlantic island community. Its inclusion in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province positions it within a broader regional framework that includes the other Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, which serves as the provincial capital.

## Notable For

- **Island Capital:** Serves as the capital of La Palma, the northwesternmost of the Canary Islands
- **Administrative Center:** Hosts the island government (Cabildo Insular de La Palma) and provincial administrative functions
- **Maritime Location:** Designated UN/LOCODE ESSPC, indicating significance in maritime trade and logistics
- **International Twinning:** Formally twinned with Buenos Aires, Argentina, reflecting historical migration links between the Canary Islands and Latin America
- **Multiple Language Coverage:** Wikipedia articles exist in 58 different language variants, indicating international interest and diaspora connections
- **Historic Demographics Peak:** Population reached 18,228 in 2002, representing its highest recorded figure in recent decades
- **Canary Islands Identity:** Part of the unique autonomous community of the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa but belonging to Spain

## Body

### Geography and Location

Santa Cruz de La Palma is situated on the eastern coast of La Palma island, one of the seven major islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. The municipality occupies a coastal position along the Atlantic Ocean at coordinates 28.6825°N, -17.765°W. The municipality's land area spans 43.38 square kilometers, making it a moderately sized municipality within the Canary Islands.

The city's elevation of just 4 meters above sea level places it at sea level, characteristic of coastal settlement patterns in the Canary Islands. The municipality shares its administrative borders with three neighboring municipalities: Puntallana to the north, and El Paso and Breña Alta to the south and inland. This positioning establishes Santa Cruz de La Palma as a central point along the island's eastern coastline.

### Administrative Structure

As the capital of La Palma, Santa Cruz de La Palma serves as the primary administrative center for the island. The municipality is part of the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the two provinces that comprise the Canary Islands autonomous community. The head of local government is Sergio Carlos Matos, who holds the position of mayor (alcalde).

The municipality operates under the Spanish municipal governance system, with administrative functions managed through the city council (ayuntamiento). The municipal organization handles local services, urban planning, and coordination with higher levels of government including the island council (cabildo insular) and the regional government of the Canary Islands.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Santa Cruz de La Palma has experienced fluctuations over the past two decades. According to municipal register office data, the population reached its recent peak of 18,228 in 2002, followed by 18,206 in 2001. The population subsequently declined, reaching a low point of 15,361 in 2022 before partially recovering to 15,441 in 2023 and 15,565 in 2024.

As of the 2025 preferred figure, Santa Cruz de La Palma has a population of 15,690 residents. The 2019 census data provides gender breakdown figures: 7,595 male residents and 8,121 female residents, indicating a slight female majority in the population structure.

The residents of Santa Cruz de La Palma are known by the demonym "Palmero" (masculine) or "palmera" (feminine), reflecting their connection to the island of La Palma. This identity is significant within the broader context of Canary Islands culture and regional pride.

### Time and Communication

The municipality follows the standard time zone of UTC+01:00, corresponding to Central European Time (CET). During the summer months, the clocks are adjusted to UTC+02:00 to observe Central European Summer Time (CEST), in common with most of mainland Spain and other European Union countries.

For postal communications, Santa Cruz de La Palma uses the postal code 38700. The municipality's administrative identification number (INE code) is 38037, used for statistical and administrative purposes within Spain's national institute of statistics system.

In terms of transportation identifiers, the municipality is assigned licence plate code TF, which corresponds to the island of La Palma within Spain's vehicle registration system. The UN/LOCODE designation ESSPC identifies the municipality as a significant location for maritime trade and logistics.

### Cultural and Historical Significance

The patron saint of Santa Cruz de La Palma is Agatha of Sicily (Santa Águeda de Sicilia), a Christian martyr and saint venerated throughout the Catholic world. The city's connection to this saint is celebrated in local religious traditions and festivals.

Santa Cruz de La Palma maintains an international connection through its twinning with Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. This twinning reflects the historical migration patterns between the Canary Islands and Latin America, particularly Argentina, where many Canary Islanders emigrated over centuries seeking better economic opportunities.

The city's historical significance is evidenced by its inclusion in the New International Encyclopedia, demonstrating its recognition as a place of historical and cultural importance beyond the local context.

### International Connections and Identifiers

Santa Cruz de La Palma possesses numerous international identifiers used across various databases and knowledge systems. The VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) ID 136667632 connects the municipality to international library cataloging systems. The GND (Integrated Authority File) identifier 1148656847 provides German-language database references. The Freebase ID /m/07sfsn links to structured knowledge graphs, while the Geonames ID 6534195 connects to geographical databases.

The Library of Congress Authority ID n83018083 provides cataloging references in the United States, while the Bibliothèque nationale de France ID 13756362n establishes connections to French national library systems. The Canadian name authority ID ncf12006898 and National Library of Israel J9U ID 987007564401205171 further demonstrate the municipality's presence in international authority files.

The OpenStreetMap relation ID 340732 indicates the municipality's mapping and geospatial data representation in open-source cartographic platforms. The FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) ID 1223936 provides additional library subject heading references.

### Media and Digital Presence

The municipality maintains an official website at http://www.santacruzdelapalma.es/, providing information in Spanish for residents, businesses, and visitors. The city has a significant digital presence, with Wikipedia articles available in 58 different language variants, ranging from English and Spanish to less commonly used languages, reflecting the international interest in this Canary Islands capital.

The municipality has a presence on Google Play under the store ID Santa_Cruz_de_la_Palma, and a Quora topic (Santa-Cruz-De-La-Palma) aggregates discussions about the city. The BBC Things ID 78330c44-66bc-4b9c-9b91-02ad12258e90 provides additional media references.

### Infrastructure and Physical Features

Santa Cruz de La Palma is positioned at a low elevation of 4 meters above sea level, making it vulnerable to sea-level changes and coastal weather events. The municipality's coastal location places it directly on the Atlantic Ocean, defining much of its economic and recreational character.

The municipality's locator map and coat of arms are documented in Wikimedia Commons, with the flag image (Bandera_santa_cruz_de_la_palma.png) and coat of arms (Coat_of_Arms_of_Santa_Cruz_de_La_Palma.svg) serving as official symbols. The city's image is captured in various photographs, including the main image showing Santa Cruz de La Palma in Santa Cruz de Tenerife province, Spain.

### Category Memberships

Santa Cruz de La Palma is categorized in various Wikimedia Commons categories including the main category for the city, maps and plans of the municipality, and a category for people born in the city. The topic's main category on Wikimedia projects is Category:Santa Cruz de La Palma, while births in the city are documented in Category:Births in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Notable people from the municipality are collected in Category:People from Santa Cruz de La Palma.

The Yale Lux ID place/549099d4-57f9-4944-a0d3-ddc0d12b4f41 provides historical geographic references, while the Factgrid item ID Aris Tatarounis indicates the municipality's inclusion in structured fact databases. The Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana entries (santa-cruz-de-la-palma and former scheme ID 0058988) provide Catalan-language encyclopedic references.

### Historical Population Data

The population of Santa Cruz de La Palma has shown a general declining trend from its early 2000s peak:

- 2001: 18,206
- 2002: 18,228 (highest in dataset)
- 2004: 17,857
- 2005: 17,788
- 2006: 17,640
- 2007: 17,353
- 2008: 17,132
- 2009: 17,084
- 2010: 17,128
- 2011: 16,924
- 2012: 16,705
- 2013: 16,330
- 2014: 16,184
- 2015: 15,900
- 2016: 15,711
- 2017: 15,581
- 2018: 15,674
- 2019: 15,716
- 2020: 15,695
- 2021: 15,446
- 2022: 15,361 (lowest in dataset)
- 2023: 15,441
- 2024: 15,565
- 2025: 15,690 (preferred)

This demographic data, sourced from the Spanish INE (Instituto Nacional de Estadística), reflects the population trends in this Canary Islands capital municipality.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. OpenStreetMap
4. [Source](https://elapuron.com/foro/kiosco_plaza/2009-09-21/santa-agueda-olvidada-patrona-de-santa-cruz-de-la-palma/)
5. [Source](https://www.worlddata.info/europe/spain/timezones.php)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Municipal Register of Spain 2013
8. Municipal Register of Spain 2012
9. Municipal Register of Spain 2011
10. Municipal Register of Spain 2010
11. Municipal Register of Spain 2009
12. Municipal Register of Spain 2008
13. Municipal Register of Spain 2007
14. Municipal Register of Spain 2006
15. Municipal Register of Spain 2005
16. Municipal Register of Spain 2004
17. Municipal Register of Spain 2002
18. Municipal Register of Spain 2001
19. Municipal Register of Spain 2014
20. Municipal Register of Spain 2015
21. Municipal Register of Spain 2016
22. Municipal Register of Spain 2017
23. Municipal Register of Spain 2018
24. [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)
25. Municipal Register of Spain 2019
26. Municipal Register of Spain 2020
27. Municipal Register of Spain of 2021
28. Municipal Register of Spain of 2022
29. Municipal Register of Spain of 2023
30. Municipal Register of Spain of 2024
31. Municipal Register of Spain of 2025
32. List of Municipalities and their Codes by Provinces as of January 1, 2019
33. [Source](https://www.ine.es/dynt3/inebase/es/index.htm?padre=517&capsel=525)
34. GeoNames
35. BBC Things
36. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/es.htm)
37. Quora
38. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File