Mallorca where is it located

The archipelago is approximately km off Spain's coast, with Valencia being the closest municipality on the mainland. It is bounded to the south by continental Africa, north by Catalonia , and by Sardinia Island to the east.

The Balearic Sea separates the island group from mainland Spain. Mallorca, the largest island in the archipelago, is located almost halfway between Ibiza southwest and Menorca northeast. The archipelago is a Spanish province and an autonomous community. The Balearic Archipelago comprises four major islands and several other islets in the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the minor islands and islets are located close to the bigger islands. The islands are of varied terrains, characterized by lowlands, plateaus, and undulating hills.

However, these areas now host some of the biggest cities on the archipelago today. The archipelago comprises four major islands are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. Mallorca also spelled Majorca is the largest island on the archipelago, spanning 3, km 2. It is bordered to the northeast by Menorca, southwest by Ibiza, southeast by Cabrera Island, and west by Dragonera.

Menorca also spelled Minorca , located northeast of Mallorca, is the second-largest island in the Balearic Archipelago, covering km 2. Its location in the middle of the western Mediterranean Sea means that it has long been a meeting place between different cultures.

Ibiza, located southwest of Mallorca, spans km in the Mediterranean Sea. It the closest island to mainland Spain at about km from Valencia. About , people live on the island, with Ibiza Town as the largest settlement. Formentera Island is the smallest of the four major Balearic Islands. It covers an estimated area of The island is located about 6 km south of Ibiza.

Its population is about 12, people. The Balearic Islands experience a Mediterranean climate because of their location in the western Mediterranean Sea. This climate is characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. In winter, the subtropical ridge moves towards the equator, leading to frequent rainfall. Thus, the islands receive most of their rainfall during spring and winter.

The average temperature is Mallorca's population was , in and is continuing to increase at a fast rate. The island has a large number of expats from all over the world with a high concentration of Europeans, South Americans and Africans residing here.

The vegetation in Mallorca supports surprisingly few land animals. The smallest include field mice, rats, rabbits and wood shrews while the largest are civet cats and a rare wild goat. The island is home to over endemic species of animals, the most famous are the lizards that populate the island of Dragonera.

Birds, on the other hand, have always been plentiful. Even though their habitat is under constant threat the number of bird species comes in at well over 2, when counting indigenous and migratory species. Mediterranean flora dominates Mallorca. Scrub forests of pine, buckthorn, rosemary, wild olive, lentiscus and dwarf fan palms have been the island's main vegetation over the centuries.

You will also find holm oak trees thrive in high rainfall areas in the mountains. There have been around 1, flowering plants recorded on the island with rockrose, lavender and orchids amongst them. On the coast, in the sand dunes, there are Ammophila grasses. Unfortunately, it is only the pine tree which is not in decline, and this is because of human intervention.

In terms of agriculture, the flat plains in the middle of the island are where most of the holdings are found. Whilst the steepness of some of the slopes in Mallorca make it difficult to farm the land, some of it has been terraced which allows cultivation of olive trees and vines. The island's coastline is also home to large underwater meadows of Posidonia Oceanica seaweed. This endemic species of algae is now protected as it is vital to Mediterranean ecosystems and prevents erosion.

Much of Mallorca is made up of limestone. This type of rock dissolves over time in water and gives rise to gorges and the many cave systems found in the foothills of the mountainous regions.

The fact that limestone creates natural holds is the main reason why the island is very popular among climbers, especially for water soloing on cliffs. The same rock means there are very few lakes on Mallorca as water seeps through to form underground water systems.

These basins provide water to the population. The scarcity of rainfall on the island means that the water table is easily challenged and this is a limiting factor when considering further population development. Book Things To Do. The Serra de Tramuntana mountains run up the western coast for around 90 km. They cover 1, square kilometres, making up almost a third of the island, and the highest peak is Puig Major at 1, metres.

These mountains are a continuation of Betic mountain range on the Spanish mainland. They become steeper the further north you go and, all along the coast, there are cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea. There are a few roads travelling through the mountains but one of the best ways to appreciate the scenery is from the sea on a boat.

The other way, of course, is to get your walking boots on and hit the many hiking trails that run from village to village.