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The
islands form an autonomous province in themselves. They can be found just
off the east coast of Valencia. The closest island lies 85 km from the
mainland, whilst the furthest lies 333 km away.
This
group of islands known as the Balearic Islands has a smooth coast line
which is dominated by various bays, coves and capes. Nevertheless, there
are a few rugged landscapes and cliffs. Majorca has the largest mountains
of the islands, some summits reaching 1,445 metres (Puig Major) and 1,340
metres (Puig de Masanella). There are no large rivers on the islands due
to the moderate rainfall, the permeable soil and the actual size of the
islands themselves. Its waterways are dominated by watercourses and
torrents. The subsoil, however, houses important aquifers that have given
rise to major caves of extraordinary beauty, that include the Drach and
the Arta caves in Majorca, and Xoroi cave in Minorca.
Population
The
population of this autonomous region according to figures from the Spanish
National Statistics Institute (INE) as of the 1st of January 2001, after
having reviewed the Inhabitants register is 878,627.
The
main cities on the Balearic islands are Palma de Majorca (with 346,720
inhabitants), Calvia (with 38,841), Eivissa -Ibiza- (with 34,779) and
Manacor (with 31,575).
Administration
The
Balearic Islands form a one province autonomous region. Comprising of the
islands of Majorca, Minorca, Eivissa -Ibiza-, Formentera, Cabrera and
various other small islands.
The
Autonomy Statute of the Balearic Islands was approved in 1983. The local
government is made up of a Presidency and thirteen ministries. They
include a Treasury, and ministries of Tourism, Health and Consumer
Affairs.
Weather
The
autonomous region of the Balearic Islands is blessed with a Mediterranean
climate, with slight variations in some areas. Summers are generally warm
and the winters are mild.
The
Balearic archipelago has a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with an
average annual rainfall of between 500 and 600mm, with rain falling mainly
in spring and autumn. There are slight variations in the weather within
the different islands of the region. Although snow sometimes falls, it is
in small quantities and falls on the highest peaks. Temperatures remain
mild throughout the year. The fact that the islands benefit from an
average of three hundred days of sunshine, make the Balearics one of the
most pleasant regions with regard to climate in the whole of Europe.
Infrastructures
The
autonomous region of the Balearic Islands is well connected by air and by
sea. The road and rail networks are less developed given the size and type
of landscape of the region.
The
Balearic Islands main ports are Palma, Mahon, Ciutadella, Alcudia and
Eivissa (Ibiza) that are linked with the Spanish mainland. There are daily
sea routes linking Palma de Majorca and Eivissa (Ibiza) with the ports of
Barcelona and Valencia, as well as the routes linking the port of Denia
with Palma de Majorca and Eivissa (Ibiza). The major airport of the region
is that of Palma de Majorca. The ports and airports are well equipped to
cope with the sheer amount of traffic and passengers that pass through
them all year round.
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Ciutadella de Menorca
Alaior Menorca
Cala Mitjana
Ferreries-Menorca
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Properties in Spain 
airports:
