Introduction to Minorca

Those who know the four major islands of the Autonomous Region of the Balearic Islands often share the opinion that each one is very different. Later, if they have known them for some time, it is also quite common for them to add some comment about the changes caused by the massive development in tourism. Everything changes, but the globalisation to which they are subject does not mean that Mallorca has lost its ancestral essence or Eivissa its African warmth, or Formentera the Edenic charm of small and faraway places... and Menorca can provide us with a little of the above and many more peculiarities that make it even more distinct, if one might say so. Today it could be seen as a loose leaf of the European continent, but very sensibly anchored in the heart of the westernmost part of the Mediterranean. Its 700 km2, spread over eight districts, offer a great deal indeed. This is something inevitably discovered by simply abandoning the automatic sun-worshipping, which is common and almost obligatory during the summer months. This use of holiday time is fully justified by the quality of Menorca’s beaches and coves but, even more so than other destinations, here the “everything else” that usually forms part of traditional holiday brochures is interesting and gratifying. The artisans’ markets, the festivals, the prehistoric monuments, the local gastronomic products, the footprints of history on each street corner... all invite us to calmly enjoy – this is one of the abilities often attributed to the Menorcan people – a spot that could become a model to follow if the objectives of sustainable growth currently proposed are achieved. The island has crossed the barrier of seventy thousand inhabitants, something that would have been unimaginable fifty years ago, but it is clearly still a long way off from suffering the nightmare caused by demographic growth. Although visitors increase the number by almost double during the high season, the share of countryside is still very high and enjoying nature can be extended to the domains of the sea. It is difficult to take in the entire coastline by land due to the layout of the roads, so leisure boating is therefore the alternative. That is why there is an increasing popularity to copy the local craze for doing a tour of the island, in stages, on family-style boats. There are also many deep-sea divers, since the beauty of the seabed goes perfectly with the coastline. Also on the increase are the number of people attracted by the recently inaugurated rural tourism establishments, experiencing directly a practically unharmed natural environment (agriculture has been the key in its upkeep until now), along with the curiosity to discover aspects of island life that were previously hidden on the supposition that they were of no interest to anyone. Everything changes then, as we mentioned before. Luck may have it that these changes are occurring with a very clear view of the risks that abuse of the environment entails. It is no surprise, therefore, that the warm welcome given to the stranger also brings with it a special plea: to respect this environment in the same way that the local population has done so until now.