Tourist information - Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands or Baleares (Spanish Islas Baleares), group of islands, consisting of an autonomous region and province of eastern Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. The group's eleven islets along with the four large islands of Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera constitute the group; the capital is the city of Palma on Mallorca, the largest of the islands. Fishing and farming would be 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 majolica pottery. The islands are well-known resort areas. First populated by the Iberians, the islands were later populated 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), Mallorca and Ibiza sided with the Nationalists and Minorca the Loyalists.
Mallorca, island, eastern Spain, the largest of the Balearic Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea. In the northwest are mountains, reaching approximately 1070 to 1525 m (about 3500 to 5000 ft) high. Farming, mining, and fishing are the major occupations. Grapes, grain, flax, and olives are grown, and hogs and also sheep are raised. Marble, copper, and lead are classified as the leading minerals mined. Mallorca is a famous resort.
Palma or Palma de Mallorca, city in eastern Spain, capital of Baleares autonomous region, on the island of Mallorca, on the Bay of Palma (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea). The principle manufactures are shoes, woolen goods, pottery, crystal, glass, matches, hardware, ship engines, and cement, paper, iron, and brewery products. Palma possesses a substantial tourist industry. The city was captured from the Moors in 1229. It features a Gothic cathedral, begun in 1230 and completed in the early 17th century, along with a chancel canopy by architect Antoni Gaudí. Other points of interest certainly are a castle that has been once a Moorish palace; a former Spanish royal palace located over the Bay of Palma; and the 13th-century San Francisco Church.
Minorca, island in eastern Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea, the second largest of the Balearic Islands, nearby the island of Mallorca. It is 48 km (30 mi) long and approximately 16 km (about 10 mi) wide. The principle town is Mahón. Wine, oil, grain, flax, and sweet potatoes are the main products. The island is the site of many megalithic remains.
MasterCarsDirect offers car hire in the following areas in the Balearic Islands
Arenal Castell, Biniforcal, Cala Blanca, Calan Bosch, Cala Galdana, Calan Porter, Efamer Fornells, Lago, Mahon Airport, Mahon, Menorca Star, Santo Tomas, Sur Menorca, Talayot Victoria, Playa Vista Blanes, Vista Picas, Cala Llonga, Cala San Vicente, Cala Lena Es Cana, Cala Tarida, Ibiza Airport (IBZ), Figueretas, San Miguel, Playa Den Bossa, Santa Eulalia, Puerto San Antonio and other locations.