Menorca

Menorca inhabitants usually use the affectionate name “sa Roqueta” (the little Rock) to refer to Menorca. When seen on a map it can simply look like a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean, but this perception changes when you look at it closer: its little territory hides an infinite number of surprises, contrasts and spots. Menorca’s area covers about 700 km2, and at the furthest points, the island only covers 50 km from east to west, and a little more than 20 from north to south. The highest hill, called El Toro, is only 358 meters above sea level.

However, in an island this little we can find examples of almost every existing ecosystem in the Mediterranean, an admirable diversity of flora and fauna and a wide variety of endangered species or species with substantial ecological value. As an example, 7% of plants in Menorca are endemic, which means they are unique species in the world. In addition, the length of the coastline of the island has a considerable length: more than 200 kilometres of coast mainly virgin, moulded along the centuries and millennia by the sea and the wind.

The unique historical, artistic and cultural wealth, the human signs of the environmental diversity of the island, completes the island as a whole, which has earned the recognition of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The relation established between man and nature has been a constant feature in the history of an island with such a small territory, civilized but well preserved at the same time.

The goal of the protection of the territory is actually to preserve the harmony between the environment and the socioeconomic development, and the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of Menorca.

As a Biosphere Reserve, Menorca is a model of sustainable development. Still, the balance between socioeconomic development and respect towards nature is weak and requires constant efforts and surveillance.

The NORTH is more diverse, consists of a mixture of ancient materials. The northern coast is very rugged and steep, and the landscape consists of hills and valleys, streams and wetlands. The materials which is formed by cause a predominance of dark colors. The northern beaches are varied, with sands of different colors and thickness, sometimes picturesque pebble beaches or beaches with large rounded stones.

The SOUTH consists of limestone and sandstone. It is lighter in color, and is more flat and homogeneous than the north. However, the southern half of the island is crisscrossed by numerous deep ravines that shape its relief. Unlike the north, the south coast is in general very straight and has plenty of fine, white sandy beaches, which are surrounded by pines, like Cala Mitjana (in the picture).

The coast is where the most sudden and surprising changes in the landscape occur. The coast is the line where land, water and air meet. In the case of Menorca, these three elements are characterized as the land of an island of 400 million years old, the water of the Mediterranean sea, and the air of the eight winds that hit the island on all sides: Tramuntana, Mestral, Ponent, Llebeig, Migjorn, Xaloc, Gregal and Llevant.

The relationship between these three elements is very close. Although it is usually harmonious, occasionally it becomes violent. Good example of this violence are the wounds and scars that can be found along the coast in caves, reefs, shingle beaches and cliffs. Thanks to all these elements, sea kayaking along the coast of Menorca becomes a thrilling experience. Boredom is completely ruled out!