|
The Balearic Islands are an
archipelago made up of 3 main
islands: Mallorca, Menorca
and Ibiza ; there are 2 smaller
islands known as Formentera
and Cabrera as well as a number
of tiny ones.
They are located to the east
of Spain in the mediterranean
sea. All the islands have
a warm climate - never very
hot nor very cold and it rains
very little. Their coastlines
are full of small coves, cliffs
and pine forests typical to
the mediterranean. The sea
water is both crystal clear
and clean.
The permanent population
of all the islands is under
a million at 796,483. Although
this number rises during the
summer months. Tourism is
one of the main industries
for the islands.
The islands were occupied
by the Phoenicians, the Cartaginenses,
the Romans, the Moors and
also the Turks, all of which
left their stamp. In 1229
they were conquered by Jaime
I, the king of Aragon, who
imposed Catalan as the official
language - and so it remains
to this day. Mallorca was
ruled by Jaime I, Jaime II
and Jaime III for 114 years.
The islands have been a Spanish
province until the 20th century
until becoming an autonomous
region in 1983.
There are some interesting
archeological remains on both
Mallorca and Menorca dating
back to 1400 B.C. from what
was know as the talayótica
culture.
The main industries on the
islands are agricluture on
Menorca, salt mines on Ibiza
and pearls and leather on
Mallorca. The construction
industry has recently become
one of the major industries
thanks to tourism.
The Balearic islands have
excellend facilities for tourists.
There are lots of good hotels,
restaurants, shops and sports
installations as well as a
great atmosphere.
To find out more about each
island click on the following
links.
|
