On the east coast of the island, with a surface area of 71 sq. Km. is this third largest municipality on the island, after El Paso and Garafía, Mazo.

To the north it is bordered by Breña Baja, and to the south by Fuencaliente. It has a population of 4,500 inhabitants, who are spread out among small but numerous neighbourhoods in the area. The main town centre lies at an altitude of 500m.
A most interesting fact is the large number of volcanic cones still in existence, many of which are now covered in vegetation, a reminder of their origin, whose surface creates a particularly charming effect.
Like most of the villages on the island, the population was drastically reduced between 1950 and 1970, a period of severe poverty and instability in La Palma. People emigrated to Cuba and later to Venezuela, as well as to the capital cities of the bigger islands of the archipelago. Many came to England, one of whom is my colleague, and he now shares his time between the two.
Agriculture and livestock are the main sources of income in the area. On the coast there are large banana plantations.
Wine production is also popular, and a successful example is the business prospering in the famous vineyards of El Hoyo de Mazo. 
Also important is the celebration of the festival of Corpus Christi, when arches, carpets and tapestries made of flowers and plants in multi-coloured splendour show the Christian devotion of the local people, and a most wonderful spectacle for the tourist.