The most easterly of the Balearic Islands, in the western Mediterranean, about 200km/125m off the coast of Spain. The deep-water harbour of its capital, Mahón, has been of great strategic importance. It was captured by Britain in 1708 and was retained at the end of the War of the *Spanish Succession. It was returned to Spain under the Treaty of *Amiens in 1802. An unsuccessful naval action here in 1756 led to the execution of Admiral *Byng.
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