Port city (pop., 2001: 188,477), capital of the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands , Spain.
Founded in 1494, it occupies a small plain between two usually waterless ravines. It was attacked by the British in 1657 and 1797; the latter assault was led by Horatio Nelson . After 1877 growth was spurred by the banana and tomato trade and, later, by harbour improvements and tourism. In 1936 Francisco Franco , then captain general of the Canary Islands, organized from Santa Cruz the national uprising that led to the Spanish Civil War . Industries include oil refining.