| Majorca | |
|---|---|
 Flag of Majorca |
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Mediterranean Sea |
| Coordinates | |
| Archipelago | Balearic Islands |
| Area | 3,640. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean 11 km² |
| Highest point | Puig Major 1445 m |
| Administration | |
 Spain |
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| Autonomous Community | Balearic Islands |
| Province | Balearic Islands |
| Largest city | Palma de Mallorca (375,048) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 790,763 (as of 2006) |
| Density | 217. Puig Major is the highest peak on the Spanish island of Majorca. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean In addition to its autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty Provinces. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain 2/km² |
Majorca (Spanish and Catalan: Mallorca) is the largest island of Spain. Catalan ˈkætəˌlæn ( català kətəˈla or) is a Romance language, the national and official language of Andorra, and a co-official Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands archipelago (Catalan: Illes Balears, Spanish: Islas Baleares). The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian Catalan ˈkætəˌlæn ( català kətəˈla or) is a Romance language, the national and official language of Andorra, and a co-official Like the other Balearic Islands, Ibiza (Catalan: Eivissa), Formentera, and Minorca (Catalan and Spanish: Menorca), the island is a popular tourist destination. Ibiza (Eivissa is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea about 80 km off the coast of Spain Formentera is the smallest and southernmost Island of the Illes Pitiüses group (which includes Ibiza and Formentera and belongs to the Balearic Islands Minorca ( Catalan and Spanish: Menorca; from Latin Balearis Minor, later Minorica "minor island" is one of the In Germany and the United Kingdom, where package tourism to the island started in May 1952, Majorca has remained a popular destination. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A package holiday or package tour consists of Transport and accommodation advertised and sold together by a vendor known as a Tour operator. Since the 1960s, it has also become a synonym for mass tourism. This article deals with the general meaning of the term "synonym" Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel The name derives from Latin insula maior, "larger island"; later Maiorica. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome.
The capital of the island, Palma, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Cabrera archipelago is administratively grouped with Majorca (in the municipality of Palma). Cabrera ( Capraia) is one of the minor Balearic Islands belonging to Spain just south of Mallorca, in the Mediterranean Sea, at approximately The anthem of Majorca is La Balanguera. La Balanguera is the anthem of Majorca (Mallorca Spain. The official Anthem is an adaptation of Joan Alcover i Maspons (1854-1926 poem
Contents |
History
Founding of Majorca
Majorca has been inhabited since antiquity. Burial chambers and traces of habitation from the Paleolithic period (6000–4000 BC) have been discovered. The term Paleolithic (or Palaeolithic) (from Greek παλαιός palaios, " Old " and λίθος Lithos, "stone" The island was occupied by the Romans in 123 BC under Quintus Caecilius Metellus. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Caecilii Metelli were one of the most important and wealthiest families in the Roman Republic. It flourished under Roman rule, during which time the towns of Pollentia (Alcúdia), and Palmaria (Palma) were founded. Alcúdia is a Municipality and township of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, and a main tourist centre on Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain The local economy was largely driven by Olive cultivation, viniculture, and salt mining. The Olive ( Olea europaea) is a Species of small Tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Viticulture (from the Latin word for Vine) is the Science, production and study of Grapes which deals with the series of A salt mine is an operation involved in the extraction of salt from Rock salt or halite a type of evaporitic deposit Majorcan soldiers were valued within the Roman legions for their skill with the sling. A sling is a projectile Weapon typically used to throw a blunt Projectile such as a stone
In 426, the Vandals sacked the island, and annexed it to their kingdom in 465. In 534, Majorca was conquered by the Byzantine Empire, and administered as part of the province of Sardinia. Sardinia (sɑrˈdɪnɪə Sardegna Sardigna or Sardinnya is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily) Under Byzantine rule, Christianity flourished and numerous churches were built. But from 707, the island was increasingly attacked by Muslim raiders from North Africa. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan
In 902, the Caliphate of Cordoba conquered Majorca, ushering in a new period of prosperity for the island. The Caliphate of Córdoba (Arabic خلافة قرطبة ruled the Iberian peninsula ( Al-Andalus) and North Africa from the city of With the Caliphate at its height, the Moors improved agriculture with irrigation, developed local industries and the island benefited from the overall prosperous times. The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops After the Caliphate dismembered in 1015, a new, more decadent, era started. Majorca came under rule by the Taifa of Denia, and from 1087–1114 was an independent taifa. A taifa (from طائفة ṭā'ifa, plural طوائف ṭawā'if) in the history of Iberia was an independent Muslim -ruled principality Dénia (in Catalan; Spanish: Denia) is the judicial seat of the ''comarca'' of Marina Alta, in the province of Alicante However, in 1114, an expedition of Pisans and Catalans overran the island, laying siege to Palma for 8 months. Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the Arno River on the Ligurian Sea. Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. After the city fell, the invaders retreated, and were replaced by the Almoravides from North Africa, who ruled till 1203. The Almoravids, was a Berber dynasty from the Sahara that spread over a wide area of North-Western Africa and the Iberian peninsula during The Almoravides were replaced by the Almohad dynasty until 1229. The Almohad Dynasty (From Arabic الموحدون al-Muwahhidun, i In the ensuing confusion and unrest, King James I of Aragon launched an invasion with 15,000 men and 1,500 horses, annexing the island to his Crown of Aragon after a 3 month campaign. James I the Conqueror ( Catalan: Jaume el Conqueridor, Aragonese: Chaime lo Conqueridor, Spanish: Jaime el Conquistador The Crown of Aragon was a permanent union of multiple titles and states in the hands of the King of Aragon.
After the death of James I in 1276, his kingdom was divided between his sons. James II became king of the new Kingdom of Mallorca. James II (Jaume (died 1311 was King of Majorca and Lord of Montpellier from 1243 until his death The Kingdom of Majorca was founded by James I of Aragon, also known as James The Conqueror. In 1344, King Peter IV of Aragon invaded, and re-incorporated the island into the Crown. Peter IV (also known as Pedro or Pere 5 September 1319, Balaguer – 5 January 1387) called the Ceremonious ( el Ceremonioso
From 1479, the Crown of Aragon was in dynastic union with that of Castile. The Crown of Castile, as a historic entity is usually considered to have begun in 1230 with the third and definitive union of the two kingdoms of León and Castile In the early 18th century, the War of the Spanish Succession resulted in the replacement of that dynastic union with a unified Spanish monarchy. In the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 several European powers combined to stop French succession to the Spanish throne and what would likely have been a resulting In 1716 the Decretos de Nueva Planta made Majorca part of the Spanish province of Baleares, roughly equivalent to present-day Illes Balears province and autonomous community. The Nueva Planta decrees (Decretos de Nueva Planta were a number of Decrees signed between 1707 and 1716 by Philip V &mdashthe first Bourbon king of In addition to its autonomous communities, Spain is divided into fifty Provinces. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean
Palma
The capital of Majorca, Palma, was founded as a Roman camp called Palmaria upon the remains of a Talaiotic settlement. Calvià is a Municipality on the island of Majorca, which adjoins the suburbs of Palma, the capital of the Spanish autonomous community Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC The talaiots, or talayots, are Bronze Age Megaliths on the islands of Minorca and Majorca. The turbulent history of the city saw it subject to several Vandal sackings during the fall of the Roman Empire. The Decline of the Roman Empire, leading to the Fall of the Roman Empire, or the Fall of Rome, was the end of the Western Roman Empire. It was later reconquered by the Byzantine, colonised by the Moors (who called it Medina Mayurqa), and finally established by James I of Aragon. The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of Muslim (and earlier non-Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent James I the Conqueror ( Catalan: Jaume el Conqueridor, Aragonese: Chaime lo Conqueridor, Spanish: Jaime el Conquistador In 1983, Palma was adopted as the capital of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. The Balearic Islands ( Catalan and official Illes Balears; Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an Archipelago in the western Mediterranean
20th century and today
.PNG/180px-Demografía_Palma_(España).PNG)
Since the 1950s, the advent of mass tourism radically changed the physiognomy of both the city and the island, transforming it into a centre of attraction for foreign visitors and attracting workers from mainland Spain. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. This contributed to a huge change in the traditions, the sociolinguistic map, urbanisation and acquisitive power.
The boom in tourism caused Palma to grow significantly, with repercussions on immigration. In 1960 Majorca received 500,000 visitors, while in 1997 it received 6,739,700. In 2001, more than 19,200,000 people passed through Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma, with an additional 1. Palma de Mallorca Airport or Aeropuerto de Palma de Mallorca is an Airport located approximately 8 km east of Palma de Mallorca, adjacent 5 million arriving by sea.
In the 21st century, urban redevelopment, by the so-called Pla Mirall (English "Mirror Plan"), attracted important groups of immigrant workers from outside the European Union, especially from Africa and South America. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a
On November 14, 2005, the local newspaper Diario de Mallorca reported allegations that the CIA used an airport on the island for its controversial extraordinary rendition program. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Geography
Majorca has two mountainous regions each about 70 km in length. These occupy the north-western (Serra de Tramuntana or Tramuntana range) and eastern thirds of the island. The highest peak on Majorca is Puig Major (1,445 m) in the Serra de Tramuntana. Puig Major is the highest peak on the Spanish island of Majorca. As this is a military zone, the neighbouring peak at Puig de Massanella is considered the highest accessible peak (1,364 m). The northeast coast comprises two sweeping bays: the Badia de Pollença and the larger Badia d'Alcúdia. The northern coast is generally rugged and has many cliffs. The central zone extending from Palma is generally flat fertile plain known as Es Pla.
The climate is Mediterranean, with markedly higher precipitation in the Serra de Tramuntana. A Mediterranean climate is one that resembles the Climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, which includes over half of the area with this climate type world-wide Summers are hot in the plains and winters mild to cool, getting colder in the Tramuntana range; in this part of the island brief episodes of snow during the winter are not unusual.
The island is surrounded by two uninhabited small islands: Cabrera (southeast of Palma) and Dragonera (west of Palma). Dragonera is an uninhabitted islet in the Balearics, Spain, located just off the west coast of Majorca.
Administration
The island is administratively divided into these municipalities:
Attractions
- Bellver Castle
- La Seu
- Coves del Drach
- S'Albufera d'Alcudia
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Cales de Mallorca
- S'Albufera d'Alcudia
- Ferrocarril de Soller
- Hipodromo Son Pardo
- Sa Calobra
People
Famous Majorcans include writer and philosopher, Ramon Llull, and Junípero Serra, the Franciscan friar who founded the mission chain in Alta California. The Alfabia Mountains are a Mountain range in Majorca located in the municipality of Fornalutx. Els Cornadors are a Mountain range in Majorca located in the municipality of Sóller. Cap de Formentor forms the eastern end of Majorca 's Formentor peninsula Alaró is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Alcúdia is a Municipality and township of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, and a main tourist centre on Geography The municipality of Algaida is located in the south-east of the island of Majorca 25 km along the main highway from Palma to Manacor. Andratx is a Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, in Spain. Ariany may refer to Ariany Spain Ariany Poland Arta is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Geography The municipality of Banyalbufar has an area of 181 km² and lies next to the Serra de Tramuntana mountain off the C-710 along the road from Andratx Binissalem is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Búger is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Calvià is a Municipality on the island of Majorca, which adjoins the suburbs of Palma, the capital of the Spanish autonomous community Campanet is a town situated in the northeast of Majorca close to Búger, Selva, Escorca, Sa Pobla, and Inca. Capdepera is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Consell is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Costitx is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Deià is a small coastal village in the northern ridge of the Spanish island of Majorca. Escorca is a Municipality in northwest Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Esporles is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Estellencs is a small Municipality to the west of Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Felanitx is a Municipality in the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, and is located in the southeast of Majorca Fornalutx is a mountainous Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands ( Spain) Inca is a town on the Spanish Island of Majorca. The population of the Municipality is 25900 (2004 in an area of 58 Lloret de Vistalegre is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Lloseta is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Llubí is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Towns in the district The population numbers in parentheses are from 1 January 2005 and do not include people living outside settlements so that the numbers do not total Manacor is a town and Municipality on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, part of the Spanish autonomous community of the Mancor de la Vall is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Maria de la Salut is a small Municipality in the district of Es pla on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Marratxí is a Municipality in the Raiguer region of Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands of Spain. Montuiri is Municipality in central Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Muro is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Palma is the major City and port on the island of Majorca and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain Petra is a town and Municipality on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, in the Spanish Autonomous community of the Balearic Sa Pobla (Spanish La Puebla) is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain Pollença (Pollensa is a town and Municipality situated in the far north corner of the island of Majorca, near Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia Porreres is a Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Puigpunyent is a Municipality in western Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Santa Eugènia is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Geography Geographical location The municipality of Santa Margalida lies about 45 Kilometers from the islands capital Palma. Santa Maria del Camí is a small Municipality in the district of Raiguer on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Santanyí is a municipality on Majorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain. Sant Joan (official name Spanish San Juan) is a municipality on Majorca, Spain, situated in the center of the island in the comarca Sant Llorenç des Cardassar is a small Municipality on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands. Sencelles (Spanish Sencellas) is a mountainous Municipality in central Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Ses Salines is a small Municipality in the district of Migjorn on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Sineu is a mountainous Municipality in central Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands, Spain. Sóller is a town and Municipality near the northwest coast of Majorca, in the Balearic Islands of Spain. Son Servera is a Municipality in northeast Majorca, in the Balearic Islands, Spain. Valldemossa (in Catalan or Valldemosa (in Spanish is a Village and Municipality on the island of Majorca, part of the Spanish Vilafranca de Bonany (Spanish Villafranca de Bonany) is a small Municipality in the district of Pla on Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands Bellver Castle (Castell de Bellver is a circular Castle on a hill near Palma de Mallorca on the Island of Majorca, Balearic Islands. La Seu can also refer to Saint Mary of Valencia Cathedral. La Seu is a christian Cathedral located in Palma de Mallorca The Serra de Tramuntana is a Mountain range running southwest-northeast which forms the northern backbone of the Spanish island of Majorca. Ramon Llull (1232 &ndash June 29, 1315) (sometimes Raymond Lully, Raymond Lull, in Latin Raimundus or Fra Junípero Serra ( November 24, 1713 &ndash August 28, 1784) was a Spanish Franciscan Friar who founded The term Franciscan is commonly used to refer to members of Catholic Alta California (Upper California was formed in 1804 when the Province of the Californias, then a part of the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas in the From the 19th century, the military commander, Joaquin Jovellar y Soler, and two time Spanish Prime Minister, Antonio Maura Montaner. Joaquín Jovellar y Soler ( 28 December 1819 – 17 April 1892) was a Spanish general Antonio Maura y Montaner (Antoni Maura i Montaner May 2, 1853 — December 13, 1925) was Prime Minister of Spain on five More recently, sportsmen from the island include top tennis players Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moyà. Rafael Nadal Parera (rafaˈel naˈðal (born June 3 1986 is a Spanish professional Tennis player who has been ranked World No Carlos Moyà Llompart (born August 27 1976) also known as Carles Moyà, Carlos Moyá and Carlos Moya, is a former world number Rafael Nadal's uncle is the former Spanish international footballer, Miguel Ángel Nadal. Miguel Ángel Nadal Homar (born July 28, 1966 in Manacor, Mallorca) is a former footballer from Spain. In 2006, Majorca's Jorge Lorenzo won the world 250cc motor cycling title. Jorge Lorenzo (born May 4, 1987 in Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain) is a professional Motorcycle road
Many famous people have lived on the island. Frédéric Chopin and George Sand, romantically involved, rented space from a monastery for a short time. Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin, later Baroness (French baronne) Dudevant ( July 1, 1804 &ndash June 8, 1876 Robert Graves, after the experiences in his autobiography, Good Bye to All That, moved to Majorca and stayed for the rest of his life. Robert Graves (24 July 1895 &ndash 7 December 1985 was an English Poet, Translator and Novelist. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" Good-bye to All That is the Autobiography of Robert Graves. First published in 1929 the work is a landmark anti-war memoir of life in the trenches Joan Miró died in Son Abrines, Palma de Majorca on December 25, 1983, after spending his later years on the Island. Joan Miró i Ferrà ( April 20, 1893 &ndash December 25, 1983) was an ethnic Catalan (of Spanish nationality Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) In 1992 the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró was established in Majorca.
Of the modern celebrities, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have maintained a residence since the late 1990s on the north shore of the island, spending as much as half the year there. Catherine Zeta-Jones ( "zeeta" born September 25, 1969) is a Welsh actress, presently based in the United States Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American Actor and producer, primarily in Movies and Television Also, Michael Schumacher, Frida (member of ABBA)Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox, Colm Meaney, Julian Lennon, Cynthia Charles (former wife of John Lennon), tennis player Boris Becker, former Spanish leader Felipe González, former England footballer Steve McManaman, and nightclub entrepreneur Peter Stringfellow maintain residences on the island. Michael Schumacher (German pronunciation;) (born January 3, 1969, in Hürth-Hermülheim, Germany) is a former Formula Claudia Schiffer (born August 25, 1970) is a German model and actress who reached the height of her popularity during the 1990s due to her close resemblance Annie Lennox (born 25 December 1954 is a Scottish born British Musician, Vocalist and Academy Award -winning Songwriter Colm J Meaney ( Irish: Colm Ó Maonaigh; first name ˈkɒləm born 30 May, 1953) is an Irish actor widely known for playing John Charles Julian Lennon (born 8 April 1963) known universally as Julian Lennon, or by many fans Jude, is an English Cynthia Lennon (née Powell) (born 10 September 1939 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England is the former wife of John Lennon. John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born Boris Franz Becker (born 22 November 1967 in Leimen, West Germany) is a former World No Felipe González Márquez (born 5 March 1942 is a Spanish socialist politician Steven "Steve" McManaman (born 11 February 1972 in Bootle, Merseyside, England) is an English former footballer of the Peter Stringfellow (born 17 October 1940, Sheffield) is an English nightclub owner who has cultivated a "playboy" image in the British popular This island is also home to internationally known contemporary painters such as Miquel Barceló, José María Sicilia and Astrid Colomar. Miquel Barcelo is a Spanish painter born in 1957 in Felanitx, Majorca.
The members of the Spanish Royal Family traditionally spend their summer holidays in Majorca, where they have a palace.
Language
The official languages of Majorca are Catalan and Spanish. Catalan ˈkætəˌlæn ( català kətəˈla or) is a Romance language, the national and official language of Andorra, and a co-official The local dialect of Catalan is Mallorquí, even though the dialects are different in each island and in each village. A dialect (from the Greek word διάλεκτος dialektos) is a variety of a Language that is characteristic of a particular group of Typically, young Majorcans are bilingual in Catalan and Spanish, with some knowledge of English or German as a foreign language, especially due to the large number of tourists and foreign residents on the island. A foreign language is a Language not spoken by the people of a certain place for example English is a foreign language in Japan.
Politics
The Balearic Islands, of which Majorca forms part, is one of the Spanish autonomous communities. An autonomous community is a first-level political division of the Kingdom of Spain, established in accordance with the Spanish Constitution. It is currently governed by a coalition of five different leftist and nationalist parties headed by the Partit Socialista (PSOE) under Francesc Antich. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, commonly abbreviated by its Spanish initials PSOE ( P artido S ocialista O brero E spañol is
There is a specific government for the island which is called Consell Insular de Mallorca (Majorca Insular Council) with competences in culture, roads, railways (see Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca) and municipal administration. Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca or SFM is a company which operates the Metre gauge Railway network on the Spanish island of Majorca The insular councillors are the same which are elected for the Balearic Parliament representing the island. As of 2007, the president of the institution is Maria Antònia Munar from (Unió Mallorquina).
Cuisine
In 2005, there were over 2,400 restaurants on the island of Mallorca according to the Mallorcan Tourist Board. They ranged from small bars to full scale restaurants. Despite Mallorca’s location in the Mediterranean, seafood is often imported. Olives and almonds are typical of the Mallorcan diet. The island now has over 4 million almond and olive trees. Among the food items that can be truly stated as being Mallorquin are sobrassada, arros brut -saffron rice cooked with chicken, pork and vegetables- and, for the sweet lover, ensaïmada. Sobrassada is a raw cured Sausage from the Balearic Islands made with ground Pork, Paprika and salt and other Spices Sobrassada The Majorcan ensaïmada is a Pastry product with great tradition on the island which has been continuously made and eaten on Majorca for a very long time
In addition, the diversity of the population is reflected by the increasing variety of restaurants.
See also
- Gymnesian islands
- RCD Mallorca – local football team
- ensaïmada, sobrassada – local cuisine
External links
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