Mallorca is an island at roughly 39 degrees north latitude. Some smaller mountains can be found along the southeastern side of the island, but they are nowhere near as impressive. Most of the island's sparse rain falls in the mountains, as is true in many parts of the world. Sea breezes moderate the summer's heat somewhat. The skies are spectacular, with sunrises and sunsets often setting the sky ablaze with color.
Flowers bloom year-around and parts of the island bulge with orange and lemon trees.
With many thousands of years of human habitation on a small island, the hand of Man is heavy on the landscape over most of the island. Most of the mountain's foothills have been terraced for agriculture, notably almonds and olives. Nevertheless, the population is pretty sparse between Soller and Pollensa. Strictly speaking, Ibiza and Formentera are part of a separate chain, but they are often lumped with the Balearics. The Balearics have a long, rich, often violent history.