Balearic Islands

I

Introduction

Balearic Islands or Baleares (Spanish, Islas Baleares), group of islands, comprising an autonomous region and province of eastern Spain, in the Mediterranean Sea. The group's 11 islets and the 4 large islands of Majorca (Mallorca), Minorca (Menorca), Ibiza (Eivissa), and Formentera constitute the group. The islands have a total area of 5,014 sq km (1,936 sq mi) and constitute the smallest of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions.

II

Physical Geography

The landscape of the Balearic Islands is characterized by woodlands, fertile plains, and coastlines with numerous sandy coves separated by craggy cliffs. Majorca is the largest of the Balearics, with an area of 3,640 sq km (1,405 sq mi). The Sierra del Norte mountain range runs along the northern coast of the island, rising to between 1,070 and 1,525 m (3,500 and 5,000 ft) in height. Minorca, the second largest island, covers an area of 702 sq km (271 sq mi). Mount Toro, in central Minorca, is the island’s highest peak, at 358 m (1,175 ft). Ibiza has a rugged, indented coastline some 210 km (130 mi) long. The island has an area of 570 sq km (220 sq mi), and the highest point, at 472 m (1,550 ft), is Atalaiassa. With an area of 93 sq km (36 sq mi), Formentera is the smallest inhabited island of the group and lies immediately to the south of Ibiza. Dense pine forests cover much of the interior of Ibiza and Formentera, and the islands are often called las islas Pitiusas (pine-covered islands).

At the southernmost tip of Ibiza and the northernmost tip of Formentera are large, ancient expanses of salt pans, which are protected as nature reserves. The surrounding salt marshes and coastal lagoons provide an ideal breeding ground for many species of water fowl. Cabrera, one of the smaller islets, is a national park—the Archipelago de Cabrera National Park, designated in 1991. The park is an important habitat for seabirds, as well as a number of rare birds of prey, including ospreys, storm petrels, and falcons.

III

Population

The Balearic Islands have a total population of 916,968 (2003 estimate). Majorca has the highestpopulation, with 676,516 inhabitants (2001), followed by Ibiza (population, 2001 estimate, 80,000), Minorca (2001, 71,524), and Formentera (2001, 5,553). The region’s capital is the city of Palma (population, 2006 estimate, 375,048) on Majorca. Other large settlements are Mahón (2006 estimate, 27,893), capital of Minorca, and an important seaport and air and naval base; Ibiza (2006 estimate, 42,884),capital of Ibiza Island; Manacor (2006 estimate, 37,165) and Inca (2006 estimate, 27,301), both on Majorca; and Ciudadella de Menorca (2006 estimate, 27,468). San Francisco Javier is the principal settlement on Formentera.

Catalan is the main language spoken in the Balearics, although Spanish also has official language status. The Balearic University, situated in Palma, was established in 1978 and is the island group’s leading institution of higher education. One of the region’s most important archaeological sites is Cueva Can Marca, near the Ibizan town of San Miguel. The prehistoric cave system is thought to be around 100,000 years old. Nearby is the Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta, founded in the 8th century bc. Ibiza’s biodiversity and historic significance were recognized in 1999, when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

IV

Economy

Fishing and farming are the main occupations. Citrus fruit, grapes, olives, wheat, figs, vegetables, and almonds are grown, and fruit, wine, olive oil, and pigs are exported. Marble, copper, and lead are the chief minerals mined. The leading industries are the manufacture of shoes and maiolica pottery. Mass tourism makes a major contribution to the region’s economy and the islands are well-known resort areas, attracting more than 4 million international visitors each year.