an island of the Mediterranean, lying between Yvica on the west and Minorca on the east. These three islands were anciently called Baleares, supposed to be from the skill of their inhabitants in flinging, for which they were very remarkable. Originally they belonged to the Carthaginians; but during the wars of that people with the Romans, they seem to have regained their liberty. In 122 B.C. they were subdued by Metellus the Roman consul, who treated the inhabitants with such cruelty, that out of 30,000 he scarce left 1000 alive. He then built two cities on Majorca; one called Palma, now Majorca, to the east; the other to the west, named Pollentia, now no longer in being. The island continued subject to the Romans, and to the nations who overran the western part of the empire, for many ages. At last it was subdued by the Moors about the year 800. By them the island was put in a much better condition than it ever was before or since. The Moors being very industrious, and also populous, surrounded the whole coast with fortifications, that is, with a kind of towers and lines between them; cultivated every spot in the island that was not either rock or sand; and had no fewer than 15 great towns, whereas now there are not above three. Neither was it at all difficult for the Moorish monarch to bring into the field an army much superior in number to the inhabitants that are now upon it, taking in all ranks, sexes, and ages. In 1229, the island was subdued by the king of Arragon, who established in it a new kingdom, feudatory to that of Arragon, which was again destroyed in 1341 by the same monarchs; and ever since, the island hath been subject to Spain, and hath entirely lost its importance. It is about 60 miles long, and 45 broad. The air is clear and temperate, and, by its situation, the heat in summer is so qualified by the breezes, that it is by far the most pleasant of all the islands in the Mediterranean. There are some mountains; but the country is generally flat, and of such an excellent soil, that it produces great quantities of corn as good in its kind as any in Europe. Oil, wine, and salt, are very plentiful, as also black cattle and sheep; but deer, rabbits, and wildfowl, abound so much, that they alone are sufficient for the subsistence of the inhabitants. There are no rivers, but a great many springs and wells, as well as several good harbours. The inhabitants are robust, active, and good fishermen. Majorca, a handsome, large, rich, and strong town, in the island of the same name, with a bishop's see. It contains about 6000 houses, and 22 churches, besides the cathedral. The squares, the cathedral, and the royal palace, are magnificent structures. A captain-general resides there, who commands the whole island; and there is a garrison against the incursion of the Moors. It was taken by the English in 1706; but was retaken in 1715, since which time it has been in the hands of the Spaniards. It is seated on the southwest part of the island, where there is a good harbour, 70 miles north-east of Yvica, 120 south-west of Barcelona, 140 east of Valencia, and 300 from Madrid. E. Long. 2. 55'. N. Lat. 39. 36.