Es Mercadal

Municipality in Balearic Islands, Spain

Coat of arms

Location of Es Mercadal in Menorca

39°59′14″N 4°5′36″E / 39.98722°N 4.09333°E / 39.98722; 4.09333Country

SpainAutonomous Community

Balearic IslandsProvinceBalearic IslandsIslandMenorcaGovernment

• MayorFrancisco Javier Ametller Pons (PSOE)Area

• Total138 km² (53 sq mi)Elevation

(AMSL)

71 m (233 ft)Population

(2018)^[1]

• Total4,788 • Density35/km² (90/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST (GMT +2))Postal code

07740

Area code+34 (Spain) + 971 (Baleares)WebsiteTown Hall

Es Mercadal (Catalan pronunciation: [əz məɾ.kəˈðal]) is a town and municipality in northern Menorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands.

Etymology

The name "Mercadal" derives from the Latin language mercatum, meaning "market". In 1301, King James II of Majorca decreed the establishment of a public center of commerce in Menorca, and the bustling open-air marketplace remains a principal attraction of the island to this day.

Features

Mercadal is dominated by Mount Toro (El Toro), the highest point on the island. In mid-July, Mercadal is the site of traditional Menorcan festivities dedicated to the Roman Catholic saint Martin (Sant Martí).