las palmas
MidNeutral
Definition
Meaning
The capital city of Gran Canaria, one of Spain's Canary Islands, and the most populous city in the archipelago.
Often used metonymically to refer to the island of Gran Canaria itself, its associated culture, or tourism to the destination. It can also refer to "Las Palmas CF," the city's professional football club.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A proper noun referring to a specific, well-known geographical location. Often used without the definite article (e.g., 'flying to Las Palmas'). In some contexts, especially tourism, it is shortened informally to 'Palmas'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The pronunciation may vary slightly based on accent. Both varieties use the Spanish name directly.
Connotations
Both associate it strongly with holidays, tourism, and winter sun. No specific national connotation differences.
Frequency
Likely of comparable frequency, given the destination's popularity with tourists from both the UK and North America.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
We are going [to] Las Palmas.The weather [in] Las Palmas is perfect.They live [near] Las Palmas.It's a direct flight [from] London [to] Las Palmas.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Las Palmas winter (meaning a warm, sunny winter escape).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In the tourism, aviation, and shipping industries (e.g., 'Our cruise itinerary includes a stop in Las Palmas.').
Academic
In geography, urban studies, or tourism research (e.g., 'The port of Las Palmas is a major Atlantic hub.').
Everyday
In travel plans and holiday conversations (e.g., 'We're booking a week in Las Palmas for February.').
Technical
In meteorology (e.g., 'The weather system is moving northeast of Las Palmas.') or sports reporting (e.g., 'Las Palmas secured a late equaliser.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Las Palmas-based company exports bananas.
- We enjoyed the Las Palmas lifestyle.
American English
- She bought a Las Palmas timeshare.
- The Las Palmas coastline is dramatic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Las Palmas is in Spain.
- The weather is good in Las Palmas.
- We spent our holiday in Las Palmas last summer.
- You can fly directly to Las Palmas from many European cities.
- Las Palmas, renowned for its year-round spring-like climate, attracts millions of tourists annually.
- The historic quarter of Vegueta is the cultural heart of Las Palmas.
- The strategic importance of the port of Las Palmas has shaped the city's economy for centuries.
- Urban development policies in Las Palmas have sought to balance tourism growth with heritage conservation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'The PALMS in LAS Vegas', but it's a Spanish island city (Las Palmas).
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATEWAY (to the Atlantic/Canary Islands), A SUN TRAP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate word-for-word as 'Ладони' ('palms of a hand'). It is a proper name. The standard Russian translation is 'Лас-Пальмас' or 'Лас-Пальмас-де-Гран-Канария'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'the' incorrectly before it (e.g., 'the Las Palmas').
- Misspelling as 'Los Palmas'.
- Confusing it with 'Palma' (the capital of Mallorca).
Practice
Quiz
Las Palmas is the capital city of which island?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Las Palmas is a city. It is the capital of the island of Gran Canaria, which is part of Spain's Canary Islands.
As part of Spain (which is in the EU but outside the Schengen area for the Canaries), standard EU/Schengen visa rules apply for non-EU citizens. Always check current requirements before travel.
It is known for its beautiful beaches (like Las Canteras), year-round warm climate, historic district (Vegueta), and vibrant Carnival celebrations.
Grammatically, it is plural ('The Palms'). However, as a proper noun for a single city, it takes a singular verb when referring to the city itself (e.g., 'Las Palmas is beautiful').