Los Realejos

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Los Realejos
Municipality
Flag of Los Realejos
Coat of arms of Los Realejos
Map
Location of Los Realejos
Los Realejos is located in Tenerife
Los Realejos
Los Realejos
Coordinates: 28°21′N 16°36′W / 28.350°N 16.600°W / 28.350; -16.600
CountrySpain
Autonomous CommunityCanary Islands
ProvinceSanta Cruz de Tenerife
IslandTenerife
Government
 • MayorManuel Domínguez (PP)
Area
 • Total57 km2 (22 sq mi)
Elevation420 m (1,380 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total36,405
 • Density640/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+0 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (CEST (GMT +1))
Postal code
38410\34418
Area code+34 (Spain) + 922 (Tenerife)
Websitewww.losrealejos.es

Los Realejos is a town and a municipality in the northern part of the island of Tenerife, which is the biggest town in the Canary Islands. It is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. The town is located 2 km (1.2 mi) from the north coast, 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Puerto de la Cruz, 6 km (3.7 mi) west of La Orotava, and 34 km (21 mi) southwest of the island's capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The inhabitants are known in Spanish as realejeros.

The latest population count consists of 37,970 (2013[2]), its density being 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) and the area is 57.08 km2 (22.04 sq mi). The highest peak is 420 m (1,380 ft). Los Realejos is the western terminus of the TF-5 motorway.

Background[edit]

The town is split into two distinct areas or districts:

  • Realejo Alto (Upper Realejo)
  • Realejo Bajo (Lower Realejo)

These areas are distinct from each other in terms of their geography (a large deep ravine splits both) and their history (during the Spanish conquest of the island, the indigenous people Guanches had a settlement in the lower area of the town. In contrast, the Spaniards occupied the upper area). Furthermore, each area has its own Baroque church, both of which were built shortly after completing the Spanish conquest. The municipality was originally founded and known as Realejo de Arriba.

The town governed by its local council also includes other smaller villages such as Palo Blanco, Cruz Santa, Mocan, Icod de Alto, and Tigaiga [es]. Over the years, an increase in population and housing have merged into what appears to be one big town nowadays.

Los Realejos also has a few beaches of note, Playa de El Socorro being the most popular one, not only with the locals but also with tourists. Other beaches like Playa de Castro and Playa de Fajana are worthy of mention, albeit they are slightly less accessible than El Socorro. Los Realejos is the home of the English language newspaper the Tenerife News. Los Realejos boasts the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which is the main Marian shrine in northern Tenerife.

Historical population[edit]

Year Population
1991 29,829
1996 32,599
2001 33,438
2002 35,299
2003 35,799
2004 35,756
2009 37,559
2013 37,970
2014 36,860
2015 36,276
2016 36,149
2017 36,218
2018 36,405
2019 36,402

Education[edit]

The British School of Tenerife has its Trinity Campus in Los Realejos.[3]

Natives of Los Realejos[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ Instituto Canario de Estadística Archived 2014-04-19 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Find Us Archived 2016-02-17 at the Wayback Machine." British School of Tenerife. Retrieved on 13 February 2016. "TRINITY Camino Montijo, 16; 38410 Los Realejos"

External links[edit]