Mallorca — Island and Tourist Information
Island Facts
- Location
- Mallorca (Majorca) lies in the Mediterranean, 240km (150 miles) due east of Valencia.
- 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.
- Area
- 3,640 sq km (1,405 sq miles).
- Time Zone
- GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
- Electricity
- 220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs are in use.
- Population
- 790,763 (2006).
- Population Density
- 217.2 per sq km.
- Capital City
- Palma de Mallorca. Population 383,107 (2007).
- Government
- Parliamentary monarchy since 1978.
- Head of Government
- José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero since 2004.
- Head of State
- King Juan Carlos I since 1975.
- Religion
- There is no official religion, but the majority of the population is Roman Catholic.
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.
Communications
Telephone
Country Code: . Emergency calls: 112. Area codes are incorporated within a nine digit number.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good throughout the island.
Internet
There is a variety of Internet cafes in Palma and all the larger resorts.
Media
Broadcasting in Spain has witnessed a spectacular expansion in recent years with the emergence of new commercial operators and the launch of digital services.
Post
There are efficient internal and international postal services (correos) to all countries. Airmail within Europe usually takes around five days.Post Office opening hours are usually Monday to Friday 0800-1200 and 1700-1930. In Palma major post offices may open throughout the day and limited hours on Saturday.
Press
• Diari de Balears is a Catalan-language newspaper based in Palma de Mallorca.
•Diario de Mallorca is the main Spanish-language daily newspaper.
•Majorca Daily Bulletin is Spain's oldest English-language daily newspaper.
Radio
•There are several radio stations in Spanish and English throughout the islands.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Jan Epiphany
1 Mar Balearics Day
19 Mar San Jose
20 Mar Maundy Thursday
21 Mar Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
15 Aug Assumption
12 Oct National Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
6 Dec Constitution Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Jan Epiphany
1 Mar Balearics Day
19 Mar San Jose
9 Apr Maundy Thursday
10 Apr Good Friday
1 May Labor Day
15 Aug Assumption
12 Oct National Day
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
6 Dec Constitution Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
Contact Information
Spanish Embassy in the UK
39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 5555.
Website: www.maec.es
Spanish Consulate General in the UK
20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 8989 or 0906 550 8970 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute from BT lines).
Website: www.conspalon.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1330 (visa information by appointment only).
Spanish National Tourist Office in the UK
Second floor, 79 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XB, UK
Tel: (020) 7317 2010.
Website: www.spain.info/uk
Embassy and Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain in the USA
2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
Tel: (202) 452 0100 or 728 2340/30 (consulate).
Website: www.maec.es
Spanish Tourist Office in the USA
666 Fifth Avenue, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10103, USA
Tel: (212) 265 8822.
Website: www.spain.info
Mallorca Island Council
Placa de la Reina, 2 07012, Palma
Tel: 971 173 990.
Website: www.illesbalears.es
