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6 - Other
sectors
Tourism has been rapidly developing since the 1930s
and is the principal activity of the Balearic
islands.
There are
about 4.5 million visitors each year, broken down
as : 1.8 million British, 1.5 million Germans and
Austrians, 0.45 million Scandinavians, 0.28 million
French and 0.25 million visitors from the Benelux
countries.
7 -
Population
There are about 760, 400 inhabitants. The
population density is relatively low.
The
population is principally of Spanish origin with
quite a high rate of foreigners (pensioners,
seasonal workers).
The Spanish
people have evolved after centuries of mixing
races. From the 15th century on the Castillians
dominated politics, language and culture. Certain
regions have however kept their characteristics
(Basque country, Galicia) and the Balearic Islands
have sometimes shown separatist tendencies since
they became independent.
8 - Language
Spanish and Catalan are the official
languages.
English,
French and German are widely spoken in the
islands.
9 - Religion
Catholicism is the main religion practised by the
whole population, but it is no longer a State
religion since the new consitution in 1978.
10 - Weights, measures &
voltage
The metric system is in use. Electricity is
220V.
11 -
Money
The currency is the Spanish peseta : 100 ESP =
3.94238 FF, rate fixed the 31st December 1998.
1 euro = 166.386 ESP
1 peseta = approx. 0.04 FF
Credit cards
are widely accepted.
Banks are
open in the morning all the year around, but in the
tourist centres they remain open all day during the
high season.
12 - Main
towns
The main towns are Palma on Mallorca, a
typically Mediterranean town with its old part with
narrow streets but also modern districts with wide
and spacious roads. The port deals with a traffic
of passengers as well as freight.
Ciudad de Ibiza, in Ibiza, Mahon
in Minorca, San Francisco de Javier
on Formentera
13 - Climate
The climate is mild and pleasant.
It is a Mediterranean type of climate with the
temperatures going between 18° and 30° in
summer.
The sea temperature varies from 15° in April
to 25° in August and 21° in October.
The monthly average is above 10°C. Summer is
hot and sunny.
14 - Insects & animals
There are no particular insects or animals on the
islands.
If you bring
in a household pet you need to have its certificate
of vaccination anti-rabies and a veterinary
certificate of good health.
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