Mallorca

Majorca (Mallorca in Catalan and Spanish; from Latin insula maior, later Maiorica "major island") is one of the Balearic Islands (Illes Balears Catalan official name), which are located in the Mediterranean Sea and are a part of Spain. Like the other Balearic Islands Eivissa (Ibiza Spanish) and Minorca (Menorca Catalan official name), the island is a popular tourist destination, also for birdwatchers.

The capital of the island is Palma, which is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. The Cabrera archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca (in the municipality of Palma).

Typical dishes of Majorca are ensaïmada, a pastry made with pork lard (saïm) and sobrassada, sausage with lard and paprika.

History

The island was conquered by James I of Aragon in 1229; prior to that, it was under Moorish or Arab domination.

Language

The local dialect of Catalan is know as "Mallorquín".

Politics

The island is administratively divided in these municipalities:

• Alaró
• Alcúdia
• Algaida
• Andratx
• Ariany
• Artà
• Banyalbufar
• Binissalem
• Buger
• Bunyola
• Calvià
• Campanet
• Campos
• Capdepera
• Consell
• Costitx
• Deia
• Escorca
• Esporles
• Estellencs
• Felanitx
• Fornalutx
• Inca
• Lloret de Vistalegre
• Lloseta
• Llubi
• Llucmajor
• Manacor
• Mancor de La Vall
• Maria de La Salut
• Marratxi
• Montuiri
• Muro
• Palma
• Petra
• sa Pobla
• Pollença
• Porreres
• Puigpunyent
• Santa Eugènia
• Santa Margalida
• Santa Maria del Camí
• Santanyi
• Sant Joan
• Sant Llorenç des Cardassar
• Selva
• Sencelles
• Ses Salines
• Sineu
• Sóller
• Son Servera
• Valldemossa
• Vilafranca de Bonany

Weblink: Map of Mallorca