Mahón is the capital of Menorca, which is one of the most notable Balearic Islands situated east of the Iberian Peninsula. This strategic location was combined with one of the longest natural harbors that can be found in the entire world. As such, Mahón once played an important role in naval matters.

Interesting Facts about Mahón, Menorca

• Mahón is believed to have been named for its founder Mago Barca. Said individual was the brother of the famous Hannibal Barca, the great Carthaginian general who dealt the Roman Republic three terrible blows at the Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae. Mago’s own fate is unclear. The more believable version is that he died from battle wounds towards the end of that conflict. However, there is another version that claimed that he lived long enough for Carthage to turn on him.
• In modern times, Mahón sees a fair amount of tourism. After all, it is blessed with both a beautiful setting and a Mediterranean climate. Moreover, Mahón’s former strategic importance means that it is home to numerous sites of historical interest. One excellent example would be its old town, which is an intriguing mix of English manors and almost maze-like streets.
• Mahón might have not one but two foods named for it. One would be Mahón cheese, which is a white cheese made using cow’s milk that can be either soft or hard. The other might be mayonnaise because Mahón is one of the most popular candidates for the source of the name.