Almost always the figure of the explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) is linked to South America and specifically the Amazon. It is true that the German scientist on his way 5 years by the South American continent made great discoveries usually associated with geography, but also to wildlife, flora and meteorology. In American lands drew the connection between the Orinoco and Amazon.
But it is also true that before crossing the Atlantic, Humboldt made a scale that changed his life and laid the foundation, inter alia, of modern phytogeography. It was in Tenerife, where he arrived on 19 June 1799.
The departure of the Spanish corvette Pizarro, who should bring to America, was delayed and, a la postre, allowed for longer succumb to the charms of the island of Tenerife, from which came to express to his departure in a family letter: "I'm leaving almost with tears in my eyes. I would like to come and live here».
He visited the Garden of Acclimation of La Laguna and botanical inventories conducted in different parts of the island, but 3.718 Teide meters exercised hypnotic power over him and over all and each one of those who tread Tenerife-, moreover. Humboldt took special relevance to the Orotava Valley.
Their experiences, studies and comments were reflected in his book Kosmos and above, further, en su obra Voyager. Another famous Teutonic, Leopold von Buch was tremendously influenced by Humboldt and did not hesitate to go to the fortunate islands. In the latter study was the physical geographical treatise Canary. Humboldt came to write:
At present the figure of Alexander von Humboldt is very present in different parts of the island but maybe the icon is the gazebo erected in his honor at the end of last year on the valley he loved: La Orotava
"The summit of Pico de Tenerife, when a horizontal layer of dazzling white clouds separates the cone from the ashes of the lower plateau, and when, suddenly, result of a current that goes, sight can finally penetrate from the edge of the crater, to the vineyards of La Orotava, the gardens of orange trees and the leafy groups of banana trees on the coast». (Humboldt. Cosmos).
At present the figure of Alexander von Humboldt is very present in different parts of the island but maybe the icon is the gazebo erected in his honor at the end of last year on the valley he loved: La Orotava. From this fantastic vantage point are observed not only bananas to those mentioned in Kosmos, but different levels of vegetation that defined in the altitudinal gradient from sea to Teide and as I say, were the basis for phytogeography or geobotánica know today. Humboldt reflected as differences in altitude between crops catena, laurel forests of them, the pine, the broom and the summit. Vegetation and wildlife, somehow, changing and are related to the altitude at which it is located and the environmental conditions developed there.
In the viewpoint, sitting at sunset, visitors will be engrossed watching the wide view of the valley since ancient times is considered the Garden of the Hesperides. You can take advantage and buy at the little store attached to the restaurant of the viewpoint, some of the works of Humboldt, although they seem dedicated to their countrymen. Ie, best that you know what you bear German or home already translated ..., if not, is always delight in the contemplation of the landscape; to see the vineyards, the banana, and the infinite horizon one day ocean crossing Humboldt. Although in many cases as usual, the traditional sea of clouds to strive to hide the Teide, below this "ass belly" cloud, visions are always well worth the Puerto de la Cruz, The Realejos and the town of La Orotava settled one d elos world's most beautiful valleys.
