About Mallorca

Mallorca is the largest island of Spain. It is located in the Mediterranean and part of the Balearic Islands. The capital of Mallorca, Palma, was founded as a Roman camp called Palmaria upon the remains of a Talaiotic settlement. The turbulent history of the city saw it subject to several Vandal sackings during the fall of the Roman Empire. It was later reconquered by the Byzantine, colonised by the Moors, and finally established by James I of Aragon.

Summers are hot in the plains and winters mild to cool, getting colder in the Tramuntana mountain range; in this western 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).

Many famous people have lived on the island. Frederic Chopin and George Sand rented space from a monastery in Valldemossa for a short time. Author Robert Graves moved to Mallorca and stayed for the rest of his life, in the village of Deya.

The members of the Spanish Royal Family traditionally spend their summer holidays in Mallorca, where they have a palace.

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.