| The number of UK visitors to the Spanish island of | | | | they attempt to reclaim little bits of calm amid |
| Majorca and her sister island of Menorca is at record | | | | growing populations, political machinations and the |
| highs - so what exactly is drawing more and more | | | | good old rat race. Nearly one million Britons have |
| Britons to the islands? | | | | made their desires known that they will be moving to |
| Besides the bright, warm sunshine, sandy beaches | | | | southern destinations this year alone, for extended |
| and the warm waters of the Mediterranean? What | | | | vacations or permanently, and the growing number |
| more could anyone ask for? How about the fact that | | | | of those Britains who have registered to vote in |
| the largest island in the Balearic Islands Majorca is less | | | | Spain has risen by about 20 percent every year. |
| than a three hour flight from the land of fog and mist | | | | The trend toward expatriates becoming more |
| that, while green most of the year, can wear on | | | | involved with their new local governments and politics |
| even the staunchest English personalities. | | | | is also growing. Not only are Britains moving toward |
| Besides that, Majorca, or Mallorca as many people call | | | | southern destinations, but other countrymen as well, |
| it, is an island that beckons travellers and then | | | | including Romanians and immigrants from South |
| induces them to stay. The island groups, whose | | | | America, Morocco and the Guineas. Spain seems to |
| immediate neighbours include the islands of both | | | | be the new frontier for many weary inhabitants of |
| Menorca and Ibiza have been drawing tourists and | | | | the crowded towns and cities of not only Great |
| vacationers since the 1960s. It has, and continues, to | | | | Britain and Europe, but for those on the other side of |
| promise ports of call for ocean liners, as well as | | | | the globe as well. While this trend bodes well for the |
| major airports located near Palma de Mallorca, is | | | | Spanish economy, no one yet knows what sort of |
| destination for those seeking a glimpse into a rich | | | | impact the influx of expatriates will do for Spain's |
| history that still exists on the island despite its | | | | political destiny. |
| popularity with travelers. A blend of ancient and | | | | Today, in 2007, nearly one million former British |
| modern lives side by side, and visitors and residents | | | | citizens call Spain their new home, and nearly a |
| can enjoy the history found in the 14th century | | | | quarter of those are eligible to vote in Spanish |
| Gothic cathedral near Palma, while those seeking a | | | | elections. While they are allowed to vote on national |
| little more life may find plenty of excitement on | | | | issues, they are still curtailed from voting in local or |
| streets filled with shops, taxis and beaches calling | | | | regional elections, but that may change in the near |
| their names. | | | | future as more immigrants arrive on the sun-soaked |
| British expatriates living in Spain, and the islands of | | | | sands of islands like Majorca, where British voting |
| Majorca and Menorca especially, are finding true | | | | trends have decided the results of some elections |
| homes away from home in the southern climes as | | | | already. |