The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) presents Las puertas del mar. A journey through the ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands. This is a book in comic format that gives you a brief entertaining and educational account of the key role played by the ports of Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Eivissa and La Savina in the supply for the population, promotion of economic activity in their surroundings, and the historical development of the region.

Coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the port organisation, the APB has just published this work developed by the Clúster de Cómics i Nous Mèdia de Mallorca, with illustrations by authors of recognised prestige in the world of comics, such as Linhart, Jaume Balaguer, Álex Fito, Canizales and Flavia Gargiulo. The texts are written by Verbigracia and Flavia Gargiulo.

In the words of the President of the APB, Francesc Antich, it is “a tool that takes an educational tour of the ports in a fresh and light-hearted way”, and is also “a warning of their important role as an instrument that allows us to supply our islands with goods and give them connectivity”.

The book is intended for all audiences and stresses the irreplaceable role of the ports of general interest as economic drivers and key elements for the supply of the Balearic Islands. It also focuses on publicising the main ships operating in our ports, with special attention to the regular ferries, and on giving visibility to the work of the most recognised port trades, activities and agents in the port community.

It also reviews the history of port evolution, the distinguishing features of each of the five ports and their port-city relationship. Finally, the work carried out by the APB in the management of maritime signals and the commitment undertaken to implement technological advances to improve the service offered to users, and in the fight against climate change.

Paper and digital format

During the month of February, 15,000 copies in paper format were distributed free of charge to all APB staff, to educational centres in the Balearic Islands, to public libraries in the autonomous community and to a large group of representatives of the Balearic port community. The book has been produced with paper from responsible sources, the inks used to print the book are ecological and of vegetable origin, and the use of plastics has been avoided in the packaging of the copies.

It is available to everyone in digital format at www.portsdebalears.com and contains detailed maps of the ports and educational fact sheets for children.