Palma

City (pop., 2006 est.: 284,000), capital of the Balearic Islands and communidad autónoma (autonomous community), Spain. Palma lies on the southwestern coast of Majorca island on Palma Bay in the western Mediterranean Sea. Romans conquered Majorca in 123 BC, and it was later ruled by Byzantines and by the Arabs before being taken by James I of Aragon in 1229. The city's old sections have many notable homes built in the 16th and 18th centuries. Historic buildings include the Gothic cathedral and Bellver Castle. The economy is varied and includes tourism and light manufacturing.