Minorca, Balearic island » City Info » Geography

Minorca (or Menorca) is one of the Balearic Islands situated just off the east coast of mainland Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 695.7km² and a coastline of 216km.

The two major cities on the Island are Mahon on the east coast and Ciutadella on the west coast. Several small towns are located around the island, such as Es Castell, Sant Lluis, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Es Migjorn, and Ferreries.

Minorca is divided into two symmetric but very different parts. A northern part is a place for an uneven and rugged coastline with poor vegetation and plenty of small islands with dark or reddish sand, whilst the southern part, which is made up of the calcareous rock, has plain, wavy cliffs with coves of white sand surrounded by pines.

Monte Toro is the highest point, and it is 358m (1174ft) above sea level. The coast of Sant Lluis is situated in the eastern part of the island, and it is the first location in Spain where the sun rises.

Geographical Coordinates: 39°47' to 40°00'N, 3°52' to 4°24'E

Climate

Minorca (Menorca) has a typical Mediterranean climate characterised by mild winters and hot summers. Minorca is wetter than Mallorca. The average annual temperature ranges between 16°C (60.8°F) and 17°C (62.6°F). The average summer temperature is around 23°C (73.4°F) to 26°C (78.8°F), and the average winter temperature is around 11°C (51.8°F) to 13°C (55.4°F). The island experiences cool north winds, known as the 'tramuntana'. Rainfall rates are high in late autumn and low in summer. The average rainfall of the island varies from one spot to another. The southeast region records 450mm of rainfall, while the interior and the northeastern end experiences 650mm of rainfall.

Culture, Religion & Language

The location of Minorca in the middle of the western Mediterranean was a staging point for the different cultures since prehistoric times. This Balearic Island has an attractive mixture of colonial and local architecture.

Minorca is especially well known for its traditional summer fiestas that intrigue many visitors. The international opera week, international organ festival in Mahon and the summer music festival, and the Capella Davidica concerts in Ciutadella are the main events of the island.

Minorca's cuisine is dominated by the Mediterranean diet, which is known to be very healthy. While many locals have adopted modern culture, they still uphold certain old traditions like chivalry, courtesy, and hospitality.

There are two official languages spoken in Minorca, Castilian Spanish and Catalan. However, English and German are widely spoken throughout the island.

Population

Most of the population on the island are Roman Catholic. Minorca has a total population of approximately 93,397 (2019), with the majority of its inhabitants known to be 'Menorcans' who have evolved from different cultures. Most of the foreigners on the island are British, approximately 7,000, and more than half of them are retired. Many people from the UK are relocated to Minorca because of the Mediterranean climate and peaceful lifestyle.