The inhabitants are principally devoted to agriculture, and most of the
arable land is cultivated. The mountains are terraced; and the old pine
woods have in many places given way to the olive, the vine and the
almond tree, to fields of wheat and flax, or to orchards of figs and
oranges. For the last-mentioned fruits the valley of Sóller is one of
the most important districts, the produce being largely transmitted to
France. The yield of oil is very considerable, and Inca is the centre of
the oil district. The wines are light but excellent, especially the
Muscadel and Montona. During the summer there is often great scarcity of
water; but, according to a system handed down by the Moors, the rains of
autumn and winter are collected in enormous reservoirs, which contain
sufficient water to last through the dry season; and on the payment of a
certain rate, each landholder has his fields flooded at certain
intervals. Mules are used in the agriculture and traffic of the island.
The cattle are small, but the sheep are large and well fleeced. Pigs are
reared for export to Barcelona, and there is abundance of poultry and
small game. Brandy is made and exported in large quantities. Excellent
woollen and linen cloths are woven; the silkworm is reared and its
produce manufactured; and canvas, rope and cord are largely made, from
both native and foreign materials.
The roads are excellent, the four principal being those from Alcudia,
Manacor, Sóller and Andraitx to the capital. Forty-eight miles of
railway were open at the beginning of the 20th century. The main line
runs from Palma to Manacor and Alcudia. The telegraphic system is fairly
complete, and there is regular steam communication with Barcelona and
Alicante. The principal towns include--besides Palma (63,937), Felanitx
(11,294) and Manacor (12,408), which are described in separate
articles--Andraitx (6516), Inca (7579), Llummayor (8859), Pollensa
(8308), Santañy (6692) and Sóller (8026).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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