Arucas, Las Palmas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arucas
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Municipal location in Gran Canaria
Arucas Location in Province of Las Palmas Show map of Province of Las Palmas Arucas Location in Canary Islands Show map of Canary Islands Arucas Location in Spain, Canary Islands Show map of Spain, Canary Islands
Country	Spain
Autonomous region	Canary Islands
Province	Las Palmas
Island	Gran Canaria
Area
• Total	33.01 km2 (12.75 sq mi)
Elevation	240 m (790 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	37,691
• Density	1,141.81/km2 (2,957.3/sq mi)
Municipal code	E-35006

Arucas is a town located on the northern side of Gran Canaria island in the Canary Islands, Spain. It is part of the Las Palmas province. Arucas is next to the city of Las Palmas and is part of its larger urban area.

In 2013, about 36,852 people lived in Arucas. The town covers an area of about 33.01 square kilometers (12.75 square miles). A main road, the GC-2 motorway, runs north of the town, making it easy to get around.

Cool Places to See in Arucas

Arucas has some amazing places to visit. The most important building is the Church of San Juan Bautista. It's a huge church built entirely from local Arucas stone.

The Church of San Juan Bautista

This beautiful church started being built in 1909. Local builders, known as master masons, carefully carved its stone columns and their decorative tops. Inside, you can see stunning stained glass windows made by a Canary Island artist named Cristobal Hernandez de Quintana. There is also a special carving of the Reclining Christ by Manuel Ramos.

Montaña de Arucas

To the north of the town is a hill called Montaña de Arucas. People believe this is where a brave leader named Doramas was killed. He was a Guanche, which was the name for the native people of the Canary Islands. Doramas died in a battle in 1481.

Rum Production

Arucas is also famous for making rum! It has been producing rum for a very long time.

Arucas Through Time

Arucas has a rich history. The town was completely destroyed in 1478, but it was rebuilt just two years later in 1480.

Sugar Cane and Rum

Since the 1400s, sugar cane has been the main crop grown in the Arucas area. This means rum was made here even before sugar plantations became common in places like Cuba. Today, one of the most important places in Arucas is its rum factory.

Cochineal Boom

In the second half of the 1800s, Arucas became very successful because of something called cochineal. Cochineal is a small beetle that lives on cactus plants. When these beetles are crushed, they produce a bright red dye. There was a big demand for this dye, which helped Arucas grow and prosper.

Gallery

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  The Church of San Juan Bautista

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  City of Arucas

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  Jardín de la Marquesa de Arucas, the Botanical Garden in Arucas.

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  Jardín de la Marquesa de Arucas, the Botanical Garden features more than 500 plant species.

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  Church of San Juan Bautista as seen from Calle Párroco Morales.

Images for kids

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  Arucas in 2016

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  Another view of Arucas in 2016

See also

In Spanish: Arucas para niños