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Santa Cruz de Tenerife (commonly known as Santa Cruz) is the capital (jointly with Las Palmas), second-most populous city of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and the 21st largest city in Spain, with a population of 221,956 in 2008. It is, depending on sources, the 13th, 14th, or 16th-most populous metropolitan area in Spain, with the population 404,913, 481,592 or 581,947. Santa Cruz is the second largest city and metropolitan area of the European Union outside Europe. The cities of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal de La Laguna and urban are physically linked, so that together have a population of over 382,331 inhabitants. What makes them the largest urban area in the Canary Islands (independent of municipal lines) of the European Union outside Europe. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also the capital of the island of Tenerife (most populated of archipelago and Spain)and capital of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Located in northeast of the Spanish island of Tenerife, about 210 kilometres (130 mi) off the northwestern coast of the Africa within the Atlantic Ocean. Between 1833 and 1927 Santa Cruz de Tenerife was the sole capital of the Canary Islands, until in 1927 a decree ordered that the capital of the Canary Islands is shared, it remains as at present. Therefore during this time was the cultural, political and economic Canary Islands, these powers now shared with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Santa Cruz is the busiest port in the Canary Islands and second Spain (after Algeciras), so it is a major Atlantic port cities and has the largest cruise port in Spain and the like. The port is of great importance, is the communications hub between Europe, Africa and Americas, and she and cruise ships arriving from all nationalities. The city is the nerve center on domestic and inter-communications in Canary Islands.

The city is home to the Parliament of the Canary Islands, the Canarian Ministry of Presidency (shared in a four-year term with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), one half of the ministries and boards of the Canarian Government, (the other half being located in Gran Canaria), the Tenerife Provincial Courts and two courts of the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands. There are several facilities of the La Laguna University in Santa Cruz, including the Fine Arts School and the Naval Sciences Faculty. Its harbour is one of Spain's busiest; it comprises three sectors. It is important for commercial and passenger traffic, as well as for being a major stopover for cruisers en route from Europe to the Caribbean. Actually has the largest port in the Canary Islands and throughout Spain in the second operation. Also has one of the world's largest carnivals. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife now aspires to become a World Heritage Site, and is the most important of Spain.

The main landmarks of the city include the Auditorio de Tenerife (Auditorium of Tenerife), the Santa Cruz Towers (Torres de Santa Cruz) and Church Counterfoil of the Concepcion. Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts the first headquarters of the Center UNESCO in the Canaries. The city is a melting pot of diverse cultures that give it a cosmopolitan character. The largest distinct communities have immigrants from: Peru, Bolivia, Hindu and Arab etc.

The area where Santa Cruz currently lies belonged to Menceyato Guanche Anaga, which was the most easterly of the island. The city that is now Santa Cruz had a few names throughout its history: Añazo (name Guanche), Puerto de Santiago Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (current), which means; "holy cross in the island Tenerife". In memory of when the city was founded stuck a Christian cross in the place is now the center of town.