PALMA

in full Palma De Mallorca, capital of the Balearic Islands comprising Baleares provincia and comunidad autnoma (autonomous community), Spain, in the western Mediterranean Sea. The city lies on the southwestern coast of the island of Majorca in the centre of the 10-mile- (16-kilometre-) wide Palma Bay. Little is known of Palma before 123 BC, when the Romans conquered Majorca, making the archipelago a Roman province. Attacked by the Vandals in the 5th century, it became part of the Byzantine Empire a century later. In the 8th century it fell to the Arabs, and in 1229 it was conquered by James I of Aragon. On his death it became independent but was again incorporated into Aragon by Peter IV in the 14th century. In 1469 it became part of the Spanish monarchy upon the marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. The old quarters of Palma have many notable homes built in the 16th and 18th centuries. Historic buildings include the Gothic cathedral (12301601); Bellver Castle (14th century), on the hill of the same name; La Lonja (early 15th century), the former exchange, now a museum; Almudaina Palace (restored in the 12th and 16th centuries), former residence of the Arab dynasty, and now the captain general's headquarters; the Consulate of the Sea (Consulado del Mar; 17th century); the bishop's palace (17th century); and the town hall (16th century), housing the archives of the old kingdom of Majorca. The modern city, with its fine buildings, promenades, and gardens, stretches along the coast for 7 miles (11 km). Palma's cultural facilities include a section of the University of Barcelona and art museums and galleries. The city's economy is varied, with tourism and the manufacture of furniture, footwear, and fabrics as the most important factors. Palma's many craftsmen produce embroidery, pottery, artistic glasswork and ironwork, palmetto and raffia basketwork, and olive woodcarving. Palma is linked to the mainland by frequent air and steamer services. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 296,754.