Palma is one of the most important ports of the Balearic Islands of Mallorca. The island has many cities and small towns of which Palma de Mallorca is the capital city as well as a major port. The autonomous Balearic Islands are included in the Kingdom of Spain. The port of Palma de Mallorca lies on the coastal strip of the Bay of Palma towards the South and has a total population of almost four hundred thousand people.
The area occupied is large making it rank on number twelve in Spain’s Urban settlements. The Palma de Mallorca administratively includes the archipelago of Cabrera however there is a dividing line separating it from Palma proper or the main urban dwelling of Palma de Mallorca. The city is old and the oldest inhabitants were Talaiotics.
In the times of the Romans it was called Palmaria and was found as a Roman camp. The city has been through many wars and was savaged many times.
The downfall of the Roman reign left its mark on the city and it was subjected to many attempts by the Vandals. The Byzantines set foot on the coastal city and re colonization of the Palma de Mallorca the then Palmaria took place. The Moors called it as Medina Mayurqa and helped in rebuilding of Palmaria. The architectural evidence of Byzantine rule is evident from the designs of the old church. Mosaics which were a trade mark of Byzantine design can still be found in the old buildings of the city.
The Muslims ruled over Palma de Mallorca from 902 AD to 1229 AD and most buildings erected in those times are marvels of Muslim calligraphy and carving. This long period of Muslim rule ended by the Christian conquest after many attacks on the city. James I of Aragon conquered and changed the name from Medina Mayurqa to Palma de Mallorca.