Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, which is the most oriental autonomous community of Spain.
It is located in the Mediterranean sea at about 200 km from Barcelona and Valencia.

Just as the other islands of Menorca and Ibiza, Mallorca is a popular tourist destination, receiving around 11 million visitors . The Island has local population of more than 600.000, which increases to more than a million during the summer season.
Before the big touristic boom, Majorca was mainly supported by its agriculture.

With its 3640 km² the island is 7 times smaller than Sicily, but 5 times bigger than its neighboring island Menorca. The largest distance is from Sant Elm to Cap de Formentor and is about 100 km.

The capital of the island and also of the Islas Baleares is Palma de Mallorca. More than half of the population are located in the city. Other largely populated areas are Manacor and Inca.

Geography
The geography of Mallorca can be divided into several distinctive regions, which are:
The Tramuntana, Ponent, Raiguer, Palma, Pla, Migjorn and Llevant.

The Tramuntana is a mountain range stretching over 70 km on the northwestern part of the island. The highest mountain in this region is the "Puig Major" (1,445m).
In the winter time it often snows in its peaks and roads to mountain villages are often blocked for a day or two.
Its rocky and mountainous paths though olive and orange groves are a delight for the eyes, just like the fantastics from its numerous cliffs.
There are many picturesque villages to be found like: Bayanlbufar, Deià, Fornalutx, Orient and other somewhat bigger like Sóller, Bunyola and Valldemossa.
In these area you will find the most charming properties of Mallorca.

The Ponent region which literally means "Dusk" is located on the west side. It is also the name given to the wind that comes from that side. This region was once the center of the History of Mallorca when the King Jaume I took it from the Moors.
In This region you will find municipalities of Andratx and Calvià, which is said to be the richest administrative subdivision of Spain. It is in these 2 municipalities where you will find the most luxury and expensive properties in Mallorca.

The Raiguer region is rich in artisan and agricultural products. The village of Marratxi is well know for its pottery, mainly having residential properties. Not to be ignored is also the fantastic wine coming from Binissalem, where you will find more rural type properties.

Palma is the 12th most largely populated city in Spain. Winter or summer any tourist can feel here right at home. Its varied architecture of moorish history and jugendstil facades makes it a wonder to look at.

Pla or Es Pla, which translated means flat, gives the name to this center part of the island with a flat like landscape that is full of almond and carob trees.

Migjorn is the south part of the Island and comprises the administrative subdivisions of Campos, Felanitx, Ses Salines, Santanyí and Llucmajor. Llucmajor popular for its leather outlets and factories. Shoe brands like Camper and Lotusse como from this town.
Long and white sandy beaches shape the coast of this area.

Llevant is the east part of Mallorca has many nice sandy beaches, coves and fishing villages like Portocristo.

History
The first settlers arrived in the Balearics around 7,000 BC. They were hunter-gatherers and lived mainly on Myotragus, an antelope indigenous to Mallorca and Menorca, which later became extinct from over hunting.
They gradually progressed from hunters to food producers. Around 2,000 BC to 1,300 BC, Mallorca had a stable population and went from living in caves to building “navetes”, which where stone age constructions with chambers.
In 123 BC the Romans led by Quintus Cecilus Metelus began the conquest of the Balearics, which was more troublesome than expected due to the sling skills acquired by the islanders.
Between 455 and 534 Mallorca belonged to the Vandals. From 534 Mallorca became part of the Byzantine Empire and in 903 it was when under the Islamic domination.
It was not until 1229 that King James I when Mallorca became part of the Crown of Aragon.
When James I died in 1276, his kingdom was divided between his sons and James II become king of the Kingdom of Mallorca.
In 1344, King Peter IV of Aragon invaded, and re-incorporated the island into the Crown.
From 1479, the Crown of Aragon was in dynastic union with that of Castile. In 1700 the War of Succession began between the two candidates for the Spanish throne, Philippe d'Anjou (Philip V) and Archduke Charles which resulted in the replacement of that dynastic union with a unified Spanish monarchy under the reign of Philip V. From then on Majorca became part of the Spanish province of Balearic Islands.