Prehistory and pre-Roman people

Archaeological research at Atapuerca indicates the Iberian Peninsula was peopled many ago. Modern humans began arriving in the Iberian Peninsula through the Pyrenees. The best known artifacts of these prehistoric human settlements are the famous paintings in the Altamira cave of Cantabria in northern Spain.

Archaeological and genetic evidence strongly suggests that the Iberian Peninsula acted as one of three major refugia from which northern Europe was vastly repopulated following the end of the last ice age.

The two main historical peoples of the peninsula were the Iberians and the Celts, the former inhabiting the Mediterranean side from the northeast side to the southwest, the latter inhabiting the Atlantic side, in the north and northwest part of the peninsula. In the most inner part of the peninsula, where both groups were in contact, a mixed, distinctive culture, known as Celtiberian, was present.

In addition, Basques occupied the western area of the Pyrenees. Other ethnic groups existed along the southern coastal areas of Andalusia. Among these southern groups there grew the earliest urban culture in the Iberian Peninsula, that of the semi-mythical southern city of Tartessos (pre-1100 BC) near the location of Cádiz. The flourishing trade in gold and silver between the people of Tartessos and Phoenicians and Greeks is documented in the history of Strabo and in the biblical book of king Solomon.

Between 500 BC and 300 BC, the seafaring Phoenicians and Greeks founded trading colonies all along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Carthaginians took control of much of the Mediterranean coast in the course of the Punic Wars, until they were eventually replaced by the Romans.

Roman Empire and the Germanic Kingdoms: During the Second Punic War, an expanding Roman Empire captured the Carthaginian trading colonies along the Mediterranean coast from roughly 210 BC to 205 BC, leading to Roman control of almost the entire Iberian Peninsula; this lasted over 500 years, and they were bound together by law, language, and the Roman roads.

The base Celt and Iberian population remained, and local leaders were admitted into the Roman aristocratic class. Hispania served as a granary for the Roman market, and its harbours were used to export gold, wool, olive oil, and wine.

Palma Information

Palma is the capital city of Mallorca (Majorca) and the rest of the Balearic islands that lay off the south east coast of mainland Spain, situated in the Mediterranean Sea. Adjoining islands are Ibiza and Menorca.

Mallorca is a lovely holiday destination and place to live, and a visit to Palma will be a real eye opener, and will hopefully demonstrate that there is more to the island. The island of Mallorca has an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.

Mallorca’s mild temperatures and the low rainfall make of this island a perfect beach destination. In Summer the average daily temperature is 23ºC. Rain is an almost unknown during Summer, and it’s not often you see a cloudy day. The rainy season is the winter, but even then rain is not common, especially in Palma in the South of the Island!

On one side of Palma is the Mediterranean sea on the other the beautiful mountains of Serra de Tramuntana. Palma is an old town with a lively atmosphere which complements the surroundings.

Mallorca has plenty of attractions, places to visit and things to see and do! There is something here for everyone. In Palma, there are lots of museums offering you the history of the island and interesting information and facts about Mallorca. The history of Mallorca dates back to ancient times and has traces of Roman and Arab civilisations.

Palma is packed with restaurants, bars and dance clubs. In Palma you will find many wonderful restaurants that are more traditionally Spanish rather than directly aimed at tourists. Plus in the capital you will find many local bars, fun entertainment bars with bands to bars where you can just chill out and watch the world go by.

Again you will also find the more Spanish bars as well. Then there are the many types of clubs that play all sorts of music like salsa, pop, dance, funky etc. Palma also has casinos which are great fun for a different night out.

Palma, has some excellent beaches. The airport, Son Sant Joan is situated just outside the capital, Palma. A flight to Mallorca is only between just over two hours from the UK. The first landmark you will see on the final approach before landing will be the impressive 14th Century Gothic cathedral, and the view from the air never ceases to amaze.

The little towns and villages around Palma are all easily accessible, with good roads throughout the island. Mopeds are also another easy way of travelling and exploring the island. They are available for hire very cheaply.