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The island of Menorca, the easternmost of Spain’s three Balearic Islands, is located nearly mid-way between Spain and Sardinia, and between France and North Africa.  In this central position it has played an important role in the history of the western Mediterranean.

It was named Minorca by the Romans meaning the "Little One" compared to Majorca the "Large One." The first evidence of occupation on Menorca dates from around 2100 BC and the earliest structures are believed to be the navetos (looking like an upturned boat) and are approximately 3500 years old. Between 3000 & 3500 years ago fortified towers were built by bronze age people, and more than 200 of their strange towers stand to this day. This time in history is known as the Talayotic period.

The island occupation by the Arabs takes place at the beginning of the 10^th century but already two centuries before ships leaving the peninsula and the North of Africa besieged the coast  and, temporarily, some cities. 

In the year 1287  Menorca was conquered for the crown of Aragon.

The most tragic facts of the history of Menorca take place in the 16^th century with the looting of Mahón  (1535) by the Turkish pirate Barbarroja (Barbarossa) and that of Ciutadella by Piali, Turkish pirate also, in 1558.

Menorca was greatly influenced by many civilizations including the Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Moors, Spanish, English and the French. Ciutadella, now the religious capital of Menorca, was originally the island's capital but the British occupation in the 18^th century moved it to Mahón, which was named after General Magon (Hannibal's brother) a Carthaginian invader, and has one of the world's largest natural harbours.

The 19^th century ban on wheat trade between Odessa and the Spanish ports forced Menorca to move towards light industry to boost the economy. When In 1873 Spain was proclaimed a republic and in 1874  monarchy was restored, two political parties evolved - the Conservatives and the Republicans.

The year of 1909 saw the emergence of another trade - the Society for the Attraction of Foreigners or tourism. It was considered an industry for Menorca but it didn’t really take off until after the Spanish civil war, when, in 1953, the 1^st charter flight from London arrived, which basically brings us to present day Menorca and all the wonders that it holds.

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