In October, the 69th anniversary of the declaration of La Caldera de Taburiente as a National Park was celebrated. This designation came about “in response to the efforts of a group of artists and scholars,” as stated by the main protected natural area in La Palma. The primary goal was to “safeguard an exceptional calderiform depression that houses a unique ecosystem of Canarian pine forests, characterized by endemic species of flora and fauna.”
The Caldera de Taburiente National Park resulted from significant landslides resulting from numerous volcanic eruptions spanning centuries. The geology of this primary protected natural area in La Palma is defined by an extraordinary cirque, eight kilometers in diameter, forming a caldera – from which it derives its name.
On October 6, 1954, the decree proclaiming La Caldera de Taburiente as a National Park was enacted. It became the second protected area in the Canary Islands and the fourth in all of Spain to receive this distinction. Encompassing 4,690 hectares, this green haven in El Paso municipality, La Palma, stands as a biodiversity-rich protected natural space, home to a multitude of endemic plant and animal species.
Of volcanic origin, it boasts the title of the world’s largest emerged crater, with a diameter exceeding 8 kilometers, shaped by the erosive forces of water and substantial landslides, resulting in its breathtaking geomorphology, featuring over 2,000 meters of elevation changes.
National Park on La Palma
The primary objective of any National Park is “the preservation of its natural values,” and as such, it operates under a unique legal framework designed to promote research and enhance scientific knowledge.
Additionally, it aims to “balance conservation with public use and enjoyment of its natural assets.” Specifically, it seeks to “raise environmental awareness within society and implement sustainable development models in its surroundings.” This interaction extends to society, encompassing park visitors, the local population within its socio-economic sphere, educators, the scientific community, and more.
