Page 28 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

26  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS A POR TR AIT OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  27

Landscape and Wildlife of The craggy cliffs, sharp-edged Flora
the Balearic Islands and forbidding, appear inaccessible.
Consisting of limestone, they are
sparsely covered with vegetation. There are some 1,500 species of flow­
ering plant on the islands, of which
Thanks to the huge variety of habitats, from 50 or so are native. Some of them
mountains and cliffs to sandy beaches and Forests are rare on grow only in Mallorca and the Cabrera
wide plains, the Balearics have a wide diversity the islands. The largest archi pelago. Most flower in spring and
woodland areas can be
at this time the islands are a blaze of
of wildlife including some rare birds and reptiles. found in Mallorca. These are colour. For the rest of the year, the
Mallorca’s characteristic terrain is garrigue, mainly pine forests, featuring High mountains are found only in the northern part of islands are green, but the sun­bleached
Aleppo pine mixed with
an open scrubland, interspersed with small holm oak. Mallorca. Puig Major – the highest peak in the Serra de foliage is no longer quite so lush.
Tramuntana – rises to a height of 1,445 m (4,740 ft).
pockets of forest. At higher altitudes the scrub is
replaced by maquis – a mix of mainly rosemary, Common broom
is typical of
broom and laurel. Menorca, in particular, is Mediterranean
noted for its wild flowers and shrubs while large flora. Its bright
swathes of Ibiza are covered by forests of pine. yellow flowers,
which blossom in
March, can be
seen from afar.
Small foxglove, with
its distinctive, thimble­
like flower, is a highly
ornamental plant.
It is one of the
plants native
to the Balearic
Islands. Few people
realize that the species
is also poisonous.
Olive groves are seen mainly in Mallorca, inland as well as
near the coastline. Tree trunks and boughs are sometimes
twisted into curious shapes.

The northern shores
of the islands are mostly
steep and craggy. Inland,
the vegetation is dense Holm oak is widespread
and lush. There are few throughout the islands. Its tough,
beaches and those that Balearic Landscape Coves with sandy beaches Macchia, an evergreen evergreen leaves protect it against
are accessible are rocky Of all the Balearic Islands, Mallorca’s are typical of the Balearic shrub, grows on the water loss.
or pebbly. The northern landscape is the most diverse. As well Islands’ landscape. rocky mountain slopes.
shores have been less as its many secluded coves, it has
affected by tourism, and magnificent green plains and the
provide stunning views Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Fauna of the Balearic Islands The Mallorcan midwife toad
as well as excellent is an endangered species that
natural areas to explore. Fauna on the Balearic Islands includes a handful of native inhabits the remoter areas of
species, such as the rare Lilford’s wall lizard. The islands northern Mallorca.
are also home to some rare species of birds, including the
black vulture, rock falcon and the
Cove beaches are one Balearic shearwater. Several smaller
of the features that mammals such as rabbits and
make the islands so hedgehogs are commonplace in
attractive. Some are the lowlands of the archipelago.
now resorts. Others
can be difficult to The black vulture, with
reach, but their soft Rabbits have easily adapted to its wingspan of almost
sands, gentle waves the wide variety of landscapes 3 m (10 ft), can be spotted
and clear water on the islands, particularly since flying around the moun­
attract a steady they have no natural predators. tains of Mallorca.
flow of visitors.

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