| Cabrera |
| Natural Mallorca | |||
 Cabrera is the small archipelago lying to the southeast of Mallorca consisting of eighteen islands and islets. It was declared a Maritime Terrestrial National Park in 1991 (Parque Nacional del Archipiélago de Cabrera), following an intensive public campaign which saved it from urban development, and today it protects an area of 10,000 ha, 85% of which is marine. Many species survive on Cabrera that are rarely found around the Balearics, such as dolphins and sea snails. Cabrera is a cruising destination, and boats may anchor in the island's natural harbour but they may not anchor anywhere else due to the fragile marine life around the island. Diving is strictly forbidden and a licence must be sought, in advance, from the government, for a one day pass only. Thus, excursions to the island are a rare event and are treasured by the diving community. Hiking is availalbe with several walks that can be taken on the largest island, Cabrera, but you must always be accompanied by a Park guide. The most impressive is perhaps the walk leading to the lighthouse of N'Ensiola, which is situated around one hundred metres above sea level. There is a tourist information office, a museum, and a 14th-century castle as well as a gift shop and cafe. The park covers 100 km² (13 km² land) but attracts few visitors due to its remoteness. The permanent population is below 100. Sea birds such as Audouin’s gull, the shearwater and the osprey live here undisturbed by humans; the animals most symbolic of the island are the wall lizards, which have given rise to an important variety of subspecies in this archipelago. But the most surprising flora and fauna of Cabrera are under water: the meadows of Posidonia, the seagrass which ensures the health of the Mediterannean seabed. During the War of Independence between France and Spain in the early 19th century this island experienced a very tragic event. Around nine thousand French prisoners were sent to Cabrera at that time. They were kept on the island for five years, until the signing of the Peace Treaty of 1814 when they were claimed back by France, unfortunately only around 3,600 returned to their home country alive.
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