Mallorca
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| Capital |
Palma de Mallorca |
| The biggest city |
Palma de Mallorca |
| Gentilicio |
Mallorquín |
| Population (2004) |
758.822 hab. |
| Surface Area |
3.620.42 Km² |
| Pop. Density (2004) |
209,59 hab/km² |
| Anthem |
La Balanguera |
| Municipalities |
53 |
In latin Mallorca means ‘the main island’ and its later name Maiorica ‘the major island’. It is the biggest island in the Balearic archipelago. This group of islands form the eastern most territory of Spain. Together with Menorca and Ibiza, Mallorca is a big tourist destination. It has a surface area of about 3,620 km² and a population density of about 207 persons/km².
The capital of Mallorca and of the Balearic Islands as a whole is Palma de Mallorca. It is known as ‘the city’ to those who live outside it. The small island of Cabrera, off the southern coast, is administered by the Council of Palma.
Population
According to the 2004 census, the island has 955 045 inhabitants, of which little less than half live in Palma. The other towns with sizeable populations are Manacor (35,512), Inca (25,900), Llucmayor (28,591), Alcudia (15,057) and Soller (12,140). As tourism is the main industry here, there is a significant increase in the population over the summer months.
Languages
According to the constitution of the Balearic Islands, the official languages are Catalan and Spanish (Castillian).
Therefore both languages are spoken by most people on the island although locals tend to converse in Catalan.
Climate
The island enjoys typical Mediterranean climate with high temperatures in summer (+30 ºC) and moderatly
low tempratures in winter that rarely fall below 5ºC. As always on an island, the humidity is high.
Gastronomy
Among the typical Mallorcan dishes one finds ‘sobrasada’ and ‘ensaimada’, ‘frito mallorquin’, soups and various rice dishes. A typical recipe from Valldemossa is the ‘coca de patatas’. Be sure to try all the local delights on your visit!
Ensaimada de Mallorca
Mallorca
Licor
Palma. Situated 76 km from Cala Ratjada is the capital, Palma de Mallorca, it is well worth a visit. There is a direct bus service from Cala Ratjada to Palma or you can catch the train from Manacor which takes you to Palma via Inca. You can also rent a car and drive there yourself! The reception will be happy to help you with more details.
Palma de Mallorca
Look out for the Castle of Bellver when in Palma, it stands on a hill at a height of 140m, 3 km from the historic center. It dominates the landscape and the bay of Palma.
Bellver
catle
Other popular excursions are to places such as Valldemossa, Soller and its port and La Calobra.
Valldemossa
Pareis
There are many other places of interest towards the interior of the island. These are less known but as interesing to visit. Sineu, Petra, Sencelles and Lloret Mancor de Vall are some that have not been as affected by tourism.
The reception at Bellavista will be glad to give you more information on where to rent a car or motor cycle, with all garranties and full insurance.
Bunyola
Banyalbufar
