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| ABOUT MENORCA |
| Situation |
| The Balearic Islands are situated in the Mediterranean off the coast of Spain, and comprise Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, with Menorca being the second largest and most northerly of the islands. Menorca is approximately 250 miles from both Barcelona and Marseilles. |
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| History |
| Menorca is a very special place and, for this reason, was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993. It has always been of interest to various Mediterranean peoples including the Greeks, Phoenicians, Punics, Carthaginians and Romans. There is a multitude of varying prehistoric monuments: 'Talayots', 'Taulas' and 'Navetas', scattered around the rocky countryside. The Arabs also occupied the island but left very little behind. The two main towns, Mahon on the eastern side, and Ciudadela to the west, are extremely interesting and beautiful, both with historic ports and architecture. Ciudadela, the old capital, has large squares and a Catalan gothic cathedral; Mahon has a Georgian style left over from the 70-year British occupation during the 18th century. |
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| Places of Interest |
| Mahon's harbour is five kilometres long and runs from Mahon to Es Castell on the south side, and from San Antonio to Cala Llonga on the north. Between the two largest towns are a number of villages stretching across the island. The coastline abounds in small coves, longer beaches and rocky platforms for splendid bathing in a clear sea. Son Bou, close to the town of Alayor near to the middle of the island, is the longest beach and on the south coast. Arenal den Castell and Son Parc are large and attractive beaches on the north coast. Some of the beaches are undeveloped and very beautiful, and the Island Council has now secured access to the beaches from local landowners so there are no charges to visit them. |
| However, Menorca is not just about beaches, and there is a lively interest in opera and music of all kinds. The recently restored 'Teatro Principal' in Mahon opened in 2001, and houses the opera and theatre productions that are much loved by the Menorcans. During the summer there are also organ concerts on the famous 19th century organ in the Santa Maria church. |
| The nature reserve of S'Albufera on the north coast , close to the beach at Es Grau, is a spot treasured by ornithologists because of the variety of indigenous species, and wealth of migrating birds passing through the island. Archeologists have also made detailed studies of the prehistoric monuments of Menorca, which are all well worth a visit. |
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| Population |
| The population of Menorca is 67,000 people. The Menorcans are very friendly and speak Menorcan, which is very similar to Catalan, and they can all speak Castilian Spanish. |
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| Getting Around |
| As the island is only 48 kilometres long and 19 kilometres wide, most parts of the island can be reached quite easily. The roads from and around Mahon are excellent. There are good bus services, and hire cars are available at very reasonable rates. Although the distances are relatively small, some form of transport is generally an advantage if you wish to visit most parts of the island. |
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| Climate |
| As Menorca is the northern-most of the Balearic Islands, it is usually a few degrees cooler than the other islands, which can be a definite advantage in the summer months. The island also benefits from cooling breezes off the sea, which are very welcome in the summer. |
| The average maximum temperature and average daily hours of sunshine for Menorca are shown in the table below, together with the equivalent temperatures and sunshine in London. |
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| Specialities |
| Mahon cheese has a 'denominacion de origen' rather like the French appellation controle, and can be bought all over Spain. In many shops, cheese is sold which is made directly at the local farms and the standar Coinga. Gin, another relic of the British occupation, is also a popular local product. Costume jewelry and shoes are famous, and well worth searching for, and the Sobrasada sausage is also a speciality. |
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| Restaurants |
| There are many good restaurants, and the waters around Menorca provide an abundance of excellent fish and seafood. Apart from Paella, it is recommended that you try two local Menorca specialties: caldereta - a rich lobster stew, and chipirones - baby squid cooked in batter. |
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