Menorca Information

Menorca is the second largest and least developed of the Balearic Islands. Unlike the neighbouring islands, Menorca remains a largely rural island, its rolling fields, wooded ravines and humpy hills fill out the interior between the two main - but still small - towns, Maó and Ciutadella. Much of this landscape looks pretty much the same as it did at the turn of the twentieth century and only on the edge of the island, and still only in parts, have its rocky coves been colonized by sprawling villa complexes. The development of these are not likely to spread any more and the resorts are a discrete distance from the town major towns, just the way the Menorcans like it. Furthermore the Menorcans are pushing ahead with various environmental schemes in an effort to protect the island from the excesses of the tourist industry.

Menorca is littered with prehistoric monuments, weatherworn stone remains that are evidence of a sophisticated culture. Little is known for sure about the island's prehistory, but the monuments are linked to those of Sardinia and are classified as part of the second-millenium BC Talayot culture.

In more recent history, the long, deep water channel of the port of Maó promoted Menorca to an important position in European affairs. The British saw it's potential as a navel base during the War of Spanish Succession. In 1713 the island was ceded to them through the Treaty of Utrecht. Spain regained possession in 1783, but there are still many reminder of it's British influence to this day especially in the architecture. They also moved the capital from Ciutadella to Maó and constructed the main island road. There's also a substantial expatriate community.