Location and Population
Majorca, also known as Mallorca in Spanish and Catalan, is the largest island of Spain. As many other cities of Spain, it is also located in the Mediterranean Sea. It also covers a part of the Balearic Islands archipelago. The name Majorca is derived from the Latin word insula maior, which means “larger island”. Palma, which is the capital of Majorca, is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands.
The Anthem of Majorca is La Balanguera.
History
Majorca has been humanly inhabited for a period unknown. Traces of habitation and burial chambers from the ancient Paleolithic period have been discovered. Under Quinita Caecillius Metellus, the island was occupied by the Romans in 123 BC. Majorca at that time flourished under the Romans, and at that time the towns of Palamaria and Pollentia were founded. The local economy of Majorca in that period was mostly driven Viniculture, Olive cultivation and Salt Mining. The soldiers of Majorca were highly honored for their skills with the sling, amongst the Roman legions.
In 426 BC, the island was sacked by the Vandals; subsequently the island of Majorca was conquered by the Byzantine Empire. Under them Christianity became the religion of the island but from 707 BC, the island of Majorca was frequently raided by the Muslims from North Africa. From then till 1229, Majorca was continuously under changing rulers, when in the never ending confusion and chaos, King James I of Aragon invaded the island with 15,000 men and 1,500 horses, and annexed the island to his crown after a short campaign of three months. After the death of the king the kingdom was divided between his sons.
However, in the early part of the 18th century, the War of the Spanish Succession replaced the dynastic union of the King of Aragon with a unified and powerful Spanish monarchy.
Language
The official language which is spoken in Majorca is Spanish and Catalan. The local dialect of Catalan, which is most popular, is Mallorqui. However, different dialects are used in different islands and villages. Mostly all young Majorcans are bilingual in Spanish and Catalan, with brief knowledge of German or English. The reason for these foreign languages is the large number of tourists who come to Majorca.
Cuisine
Majorca also boasts of a long chain of eating joints and restaurants. According to the statistics of 2004 of the Majorcan Tourist Board, there were around 2,400 restaurants in Majorca. All these places ranged from small bars to big time restaurants. The regular inflow of tourists in the island of Majorca supports all these restaurants and bars. Even though Majorca is located on the Mediterranean, seafood is often imported. The common Majorcan diet consists of almonds and olives; this is not at all strange as the island has over 4 million trees of olives and almonds. The most famous cuisine of Majorca is the Sobrassada and Ensaimada.
The island of Majorca also has a football team known as Mallorca, which plays in the Spanish Football league.
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