The Balearic islands are made up of four major islands - Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The Phoenicians initially used the island to establish trading-posts and to bury their dead. After the Phoenicians came the Greeks, but they mainly settled in Cataluņa. In 123 BC, the Romans, colonized the Balearic islands. The next 450 years were lived in peace under the Roman civilization with palaces, official buildings and other monuments being built and decorated with beautiful facades. The peace was disturbed by the Vandals who overpowered the Romans and destroyed the island. The next few centuries saw several invasions by the Byzanthians, Normans and Berbers.

Each Island has developed differently with the passage of the centuries so that the term Balearic Islands should be understood more as a geopolitical reference and a historical union. Their pasts have been forged by the various civilisations that have influenced the historical evolution of each island from prehistorical times up to the present day.