Balearic Islands

a group of Spanish islands. The group lies in the western Mediterranean, midway between the coast of Spain and Algeria. There are several considerable islands and a number of islets. The larger island is known as Majorca, a name in which major is recognized readily. Another is known as Minorca, self evidently a minor island. The total area of the group is 1,935 square miles. The total population is given at 311,649, an average of 161 per square mile. The islands are of limestone formation. The highest peak, on the island of Minorca, rises 5,250 feet above the sea. There are exquisite marbles and veins of lead, iron, coal, cinnabar, and copper. The scenery is beautiful. Sea breezes are said to make the climate tolerable. The inhabitants raise cattle, sheep, and goats. Oil, wine, figs, almonds, melons, pomegranates, hemp, and flax are produced. Pitch, with which to calk boats, etc., was obtained from the islands. Roman epicures prized the edible snails of Majorca. The Carthaginians are known to have taken possession of the islands at a very early date. At the close of the Carthaginian wars, the Balearic Islands fell to the Romans. The celebrated Balearic slingers became a regular contingent of the Roman army. In 423 the islands were occupied by the Vandals, and in 798 they were seized by the Moors. Under the Moors the islands were populous and productive, but became obnoxious for piracy. Christianity applauded when the Moors were expelled by the king of Aragon in 1232. In 1713 the islands were assigned to the English by the Peace of Utrecht; but in 1803 they were re-ceded to Spain by the Treaty of Amiens. The Balearics now form a regular province of Spain. Palma, the capital, situated on Majorca, is about 150 miles distant by sea from the Spanish port of Barcelona. Poultry raisers will recall the minorcas as a Spanish strain of the common domestic fowl.