Mallorca Key Facts

Location

Mallorca (Majorca) lies in the Mediterranean, 240km (150 miles) due east of Valencia.

Time

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Area

3,640 sq km (1,405 sq miles).

Population

790,763 (2006).

Population Density

217.2 per sq km.

Capital

Palma de Mallorca. Population 383,107 (2007).

Geography

Mallorca (Majorca) has a varied landscape. Its main geographical feature is the Sierra del Norte mountains running along the northern coast. The rest of the interior is covered with lush pine forest, olive and almond trees. The coast is a mixture of rocky coves, cliffs and sandy beaches.

Government

Parliamentary monarchy since 1978.

Head of State

King Juan Carlos I since 1975.

Head of Government

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero since 2004.

Recent History

In March 2008, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's ruling Socialist Party was re-elected, winning 169 seats, just short of the 176 needed for an absolute parliamentary majority.

One of Spain's most serious domestic issues continues to be tension in the northern Basque region. In March 2006, the Basque separatist organization ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) announced a permanent ceasefire but despite a pledge to seek a political solution, relations with the government remain brittle. Spain's claim to Gibraltar continues, while Morocco claims the Spanish North African enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

Language

The principal language is Spanish though residents also speak Catalan (in the local dialect called Mallorquin). English and German are widely spoken in all tourist destinations.

Religion

There is no official religion, but the majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Electricity

220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs are in use.

Social Conventions

Spanish life has undergone rapid change in recent decades and many of the stricter religious customs are giving way to modernity, particularly in the cities and among women. In spite of this, traditions remain strong; hospitality, chivalry and courtesy thrive. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting between men, while women to whom one has already been introduced may be greeted with a fleeting kiss to either cheek. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home and a small gift is always appreciated. Conservative casual wear is widely acceptable. Outside resorts, scanty beachwear should be confined to beach or poolside. 

The evening meal is taken late, generally 2100-2200. A law banning smoking in offices, shops, schools, hospitals, cultural centres and on public transport was introduced on 1 January 2006. Bars and restaurants must declare whether they permit or prohibit smoking. The vast majority have opted for the former.
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