Balearic Islands

The Balearics Islands are an autonomous region and province of Spain and lie in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain. There are four major islands which are Mallorca, the largest, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The capital of the islands is Palma on Mallorca.

The Islands are a well known tourist area and increasingly popular cruising ground with many modern and safe marinas and voyages between islands are easy day sails.

The islands were first inhabited by the Iberians, but were later occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and the Byzantines. The moors occupied the islands during the 8th century and became a base for pirates until James I, King of Aragon, expelled them.

Balearic Islands or Baleares (Spanish, Islas Baleares), group of islands, comprising an autonomous region and province of eastern Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. The group's eleven islets and the four large islands of Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera constitute the group; the capital is the city of Palma on Majorca, the largest of the islands. Fishing and farming are the main occupations. Citrus fruit, grapes, olives, wheat, figs, vegetables, and almonds are grown, and fruit, wine, olive oil, and hogs are exported. The chief industries are the manufacture of shoes and maiolica pottery. The islands are well-known resort areas. First inhabited by the Iberians, the islands were later occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, and Byzantines. In the 8th century the islands were conquered by the Moors and became a base for pirates preying on the ships in the Mediterranean. James I, King of Aragón, expelled the Moors in 1229. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Majorca and Ibiza sided with the Nationalists and Minorca the Republicans. Area, 5,014 sq km (1,936 sq mi); population (1991) 709,138.

Minorca (in Spanish, Menorca), island in eastern Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea, the second-largest of the Balearic Islands, near the island of Majorca. It is 48 km (30 mi) long and about 16 km (10 mi) wide, with an area of 702 sq km (271 sq mi), rising to a high point of 358 m (1,175 ft). The chief town is Mahón, which has been prized since ancient times for having the finest harbour in the Balearics. Wine, oil, grain, flax, and sweet potatoes are the main products. The island is the site of many megalithic remains, including unique structures known as taulas, which are thought to have been massive structural supports of originally larger structures. Like the other islands in the group, tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of Minorca's economy. The population (1989 estimate) is 66,900.

Majorca (in Spanish, Mallorca), island, eastern Spain, the largest of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. In the north-west are mountains, reaching between 1,070 and 1,525 m (3,500 and 5,000 ft) in height; the area of the island is about 3,640 sq km (1,405 sq mi). Farming, mining, and fishing are the main occupations. Grapes, grain, flax, and olives are grown, and pigs and sheep are raised. Marble, copper, and lead are the chief minerals mined. Majorca is a popular holiday destination, particularly Palma, the capital of the island. Among famous residents of the island have been the poet Robert Graves, and the composer Frédéric Chopin who, with the novelist George Sand, lived at Valldemosa, where he wrote several of his most significant works. The population of the island (1989 estimate) is 601,600.

Many marinas on the islands do get very crowded during te peak season so calling ahead is advisable check our marina guide for contact details.