MINORCA (Menorca), the second in size of the group of Spanish islands in the Mediterranean sea, known as the Balearic islands (q.v.), 27 M. E.N.E. of Majorca. Pop. (193o), 39,209; area, 26o sq.m. The coast is deeply indented, especially on the north, with numerous creeks and bays—that of Port Mahon (17,010), being one of the finest in the Mediterranean, if not the best of them all, according to the popular rhyme Junio, Julio, Agosto y Puerto Mahon Los mejores puertos del Mediterraneo son— "June, July, August and Port Mahon are the best harbours of the Mediterranean." (See PORT MAHON.) The climate is not so equable as that of Majorca, and the island is exposed in autumn and winter to the violence of the north winds. Its soil is of very unequal quality ; that of the higher districts being light, fine, and fertile, and producing regular harvests without much labour, while that of the plains is chalky, scanty, and unfit for pasture or the plough. Some of the valleys have a good alluvial soil; and
where the hills have been terraced they are cultivated to the sum mit. The Hedysarum coronarium or zulla, as it is called by the Spaniards, is largely cultivated for fodder. Wine, oil, potatoes, hemp and flax are produced in moderate quantities; fruit of all kinds, including melons, pomegranates, figs and almonds, is abundant. Horned cattle, sheep and goats are reared, and small game abound. In the district of Mercadal and in Mt. Santa Agueda are found fine marbles and porphyries; lime and slate are also abundant. Lead, copper and iron might be worked were it not for the scarcity of fuel. There are manufactures of wool, hemp and flax. A road, constructed in 1713-15 by Richard Kane, runs through the island from south-east to north-west, and con nects Port Mahon with Ciudadela.