Island Chronology of La Palma

A timeline reading of the milestones that shaped its historical and cultural formation.

La cronologia palmera enlaza conquista, comercio atlantico, volcanes historicos, observatorios y reconstruccion contemporanea.

Key points

Poblamiento benahoarita (s. III-XIV)

Los primeros habitantes de La Palma llegaron posiblemente desde el norte de Africa; dejaron una cultura material propia con cuevas artificiales, ceramica y grabados rupestres.

Conquista (1492-1493)

Alonso Fernandez de Lugo conquisto la isla en nombre de los Reyes Católicos; Tanausu fue el ultimo en resistir antes de ser deportado a la Peninsula, donde murio.

Esplendor atlantico (s. XVI-XVII)

Santa Cruz de La Palma se convirtio en el tercer puerto del Imperio, con comercio de azucar, vinos y esclavos; la ciudad crecio con arquitectura colonial de primer nivel.

Erupciones historicas (1585-2021)

La Palma tiene el registro eruptivo historico mas extenso de Canarias: erupciones en 1585, 1646, 1677, 1712, 1949, 1971 y la erupcion de Cumbre Vieja en 2021, la mas reciente.

Milestones of La Palma

Arrival of the first Berber settlers from North Africa and development of pre-Hispanic culture across the islands.c. 1000–500 BCArrival of the first Berber settlers from North Africa and development of pre-Hispanic culture across the islands.Niccoloso da Recco's expedition explores the Canary Islands.julio de 1341Niccoloso da Recco's expedition explores the Canary Islands.John II authorises Alfonso de las Casas to conquer four Canary Islands.29 de agosto de 1420John II authorises Alfonso de las Casas to conquer four Canary Islands.The Treaty of Alcáçovas recognises Castilian rights over the Canary Islands.4 de septiembre de 1479The Treaty of Alcáçovas recognises Castilian rights over the Canary Islands.Wine exports from Tenerife and La Palma begin to appear in the documentary record.c. 1520Wine exports from Tenerife and La Palma begin to appear in the documentary record.François Le Clerc attacks and sacks Santa Cruz de La Palma.21 de julio de 1553François Le Clerc attacks and sacks Santa Cruz de La Palma.Droughts, famines, plagues and depopulation strike Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.1628–1671Droughts, famines, plagues and depopulation strike Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.The wine trade shapes commercial relations between the Canary Islands and England.1650–1800The wine trade shapes commercial relations between the Canary Islands and England.The Virgin of Candelaria is moved to La Laguna during a locust plague.16 de noviembre – 29 de diciembre de 1659The Virgin of Candelaria is moved to La Laguna during a locust plague.Fuencaliente volcanic eruption on La Palma.17 de noviembre de 1677 – 21 de enero de 1678Fuencaliente volcanic eruption on La Palma.The Free Trade Regulations include Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Spanish-American trading system.12 de octubre de 1778The Free Trade Regulations include Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Spanish-American trading system.The Constitution of Cádiz is promulgated with Canarian representation in the Cortes.1812-03-19The Constitution of Cádiz is promulgated with Canarian representation in the Cortes.The Canary Islands become a single province with its capital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.1822-01-27The Canary Islands become a single province with its capital in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.A royal decree declares seven free ports in the Canary Islands.11 de julio de 1852A royal decree declares seven free ports in the Canary Islands.The Canary Islands experience one of their periods of highest modern emigration.1882–1890The Canary Islands experience one of their periods of highest modern emigration.1 de julio de 1890The first issue of Diario de Avisos, dean of the Canarian press, is published in Santa Cruz de La Palma.The Island Councils Act establishes self-government for each island.1912-07-11The Island Councils Act establishes self-government for each island.The Canary archipelago is divided into two provinces.21 de septiembre de 1927The Canary archipelago is divided into two provinces.The 1936 military uprising spreads from the Canary Islands.18 de julio de 1936The 1936 military uprising spreads from the Canary Islands.Venezuela becomes the principal destination of a new wave of mass emigration from the Canary Islands.1948–1958Venezuela becomes the principal destination of a new wave of mass emigration from the Canary Islands.24 de junio de 1949Eruption of the San Juan volcano in La Palma, the first after 237 years without volcanic activity on the island.Declaration of Caldera de Taburiente National Park in La Palma.1954-10-06Declaration of Caldera de Taburiente National Park in La Palma.Eruption of the Teneguía volcano on La Palma.26 de octubre – 18 de noviembre de 1971Eruption of the Teneguía volcano on La Palma.The Canary Islands Statute of Autonomy enters into force.16 de agosto de 1982The Canary Islands Statute of Autonomy enters into force.The Canary Islands enter the EEC structural-funds system.1 de enero de 1986The Canary Islands enter the EEC structural-funds system.The Treaty of Amsterdam enshrines the European framework for the outermost regions.1997-10-02The Treaty of Amsterdam enshrines the European framework for the outermost regions.The euro becomes the currency of Spain and therefore of the Canary Islands.1 de enero de 1999The euro becomes the currency of Spain and therefore of the Canary Islands.The cayuco crisis raises irregular arrivals in the Canary Islands to 31,678 people.2006The cayuco crisis raises irregular arrivals in the Canary Islands to 31,678 people.The Canary Islands receive 15.1 million tourists.2019The Canary Islands receive 15.1 million tourists.The COVID-19 pandemic causes an economic and social crisis in the Canary Islands.14 de marzo de 2020The COVID-19 pandemic causes an economic and social crisis in the Canary Islands.Eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, causing evacuations and damage.19 de septiembre de 2021Eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, causing evacuations and damage.The Canary Islands approve La Palma's reconstruction and recovery plan.18 de julio de 2022The Canary Islands approve La Palma's reconstruction and recovery plan.

Related sections

History

La Palma's history joins the Benahoarite world of the twelve chiefdoms, Alonso Fernández de Lugo's conquest of 1492-1493, the sugar and wine of the Atlantic circuits and the eruptive record that culminates in Cumbre Vieja 2021.

Linked Figures

Benahoarita leaders, cultural figures and scientific profiles connect the island with history, art and knowledge.

Heritage

Santa Cruz de La Palma, old trails, traditional architecture, archaeological sites and farming landscapes form a remarkably dense heritage.

Related content

Cumbre Vieja

Hito contemporaneo sobre la erupcion de 2021.

Tanausu

Figura vinculada a la resistencia benahoarita.