Mallorca – Island of sunshine. Spanish Course in Mallorca
You have decided that you want to learn Spanish in a nice and relaxed location? Surrounded by the sea and beautiful countryside? We are convinced Mallorca is the place to go!
Mallorca is one of the Balearic islands and is located 170km East from the coast of Barcelona. The name “Mallorca” derives from the Latin name “Insula major”, which means bigger island – in comparison to the island of “Menorca”, which means smaller island. Its coast line is about 550 km long and it has has about 876.000 inhabitants. Its capital is Palma de Mallorca which is home to more than half of the island´s population. With its nearly 10 million visitors per year, Mallorca is a famous spot for tourists from all over the world. The official languages are Spanish and Catalán.
History
The first inhabitants of Mallorca were peoples from the Iberian island and Southern France. They first settled here about 4000 before Christ in the natural caves at the coast line of the island. Around 654 before Christ, the Carthaginian built up a subsidiary on Ibiza. The island of Mallorca started a commercial relationship with them and because of that relation, Mallorca was part of the three Punic Wars (264 – 146 before Christ) between Carthago and Rome. The most important war technic of the mercenary soldiers of the island was throwing stones. Therefore, they were from then on called “Baleares”, meaning stone throwers, deriving from the Greek word “ballein” for “to throw”.
In the third Punic War, Carthago lost against Rome and Mallorca was occupied by the Roman Empire in 123 before Christ. One year later, Palma de Mallorca was founded. And two years later Pollentia, the former capital of the island. In the following centuries, Mallorca got romanised: Spaniards mixed with Romans, Latin became official language and the island became Christian. Being 588 years under the Roman order, Mallorca lived a first height: new towns were founded, water systems established and bathes, theaters and shopping streets built.
After the governance of the Romans, Mallorca was ruled by many different peoples.
The Roman epoch was followed by the Vandal epoch. After the Vandals came the Byzantines. After the Byzantines came the Francanians. After the Francanians the Muslims. And after the Muslims the Catholic Kings. In 1983, after the reestablishment of the democracy in Spain, the Balearic Islands became autonomous territory.
Districts
The island is divided in 53 administrative districts. But more important for sightseeing is the island´s division into 6 landscape types: Serra de Tramuntana (high mountain range in the Northwest of the island), Raiguer (transitional zone between mountains and plain region), Plà de Mallorca (plain region in the centre of Mallorca), Serres de Llevant (low mountain region in the East and Northeast of the island), Migjorn (plain region in the South of Mallorca) and Palma (Ciutat de Mallorca).
Means of transport
In Palma de Mallorca you will easily get from one place to the other. First of all, Palma is a great island for walking and cycling friends.
Furthermore, you find a vast net of busses and a subway system (Metro de Palma).
And if you want to visit other cities on the island, there are great train connections, too.
For the exact schedule and prices, visit: www.tib.org
If you want to go over to the mainland, there is a lot of ferries which connect the island with the cities of the Spanish coast.
www.balearia.com
Of course there is an airport as well, Aeropuerto de Son San Juan, even offering great connections with cheap flight airlines.
www.aena-aeropuertos.es
Climate
The island of Mallorca enjoys a moderate subtropical climate. The short winters are mild and wet. Snow is seldom but possible in the mountains. The month with the most rain is October with short strong rainfalls. In the summer months, it nearly never rains.
The yearly average temperature is 18°C with August being the warmest month with an average temperature of 25,9°C and January being the coldest month with an average temperature of 11,7°C.
Must-Do´s
The infrastructure for tourism is very well advanced. Travel agencies organise one-day-trips for example to the caves of Porto Cristo and Artà, to the Roman ruins of Pollentia in Alcúdia, to the beach of Formentor, to the port of Cala Figuera and to the islands Dragonera and Cabrera.
The sunny climate makes the area ideal for watersports and trips to the countryside.
You could participate in the following activities: Surfing, sailing, water skiing, cycling tours, walks along the beach and beach volleyball tournaments during the summer months.
Always worth a visit is the capital Palma de Mallorca itsself. The most important sightseeing points are: the cathedral, the castle Bellver, the Royal Palace, Lonja, lots of museums and beautiful Patrician houses like Can Vivot, Can Oleza, Casal Solleric.
Conclusion
Mallorca is the ideal connection of Spanish course and an unforgettable summer holiday.
You will for sure not regret your decision!
Spanish Course in Mallorca has everything you need.
We also recomend English Course in London.
