Formentera

Formentera

Flag of Formentera
Geography
Location	Mediterranean Sea
Coordinates
Archipelago	Illes Pitiüses, Balearic Islands
Area	83.24 km2 (32.139 sq mi)
Highest elevation	119 m (390 ft)
Country
Spain
Autonomous community	Balearic Islands
Largest city	Sant Francesc Xavier
Demographics
Population	9,962 (as of 1 January 2010)
Density	119.7 /km2 (310 /sq mi)

Formentera (Catalan pronunciation: [furmənˈteɾə]) is the smaller and more southerly island of the Pine Islands group (comprising Ibiza and Formentera, as well as various small islets), which belongs to the Balearic Islands autonomous community (Spain).

Geography

The island is 19 kilometres (12 mi) long and is located about 6 kilometres (4 mi) south of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea. More specifically Formentera is part of the delimitation of the Balearic Sea which is a northwestern element of the Mediterranean Sea. Its major villages are Sant Francesc Xavier, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, El Pilar de la Mola and La Savina.

North of Formentera is the small island of Espalmador (Illa de s'Empalmador). Espalmador is separated from Formentera by a shallow sandbar, and during low tide, it is possible for one to wade between the two islands. This area is a popular stopping point for those in yachts heading between Ibiza and Formentera.

Formentera comprises one municipality, also called Formentera, and has a population of 9,962 (as at 1 January 2010). Its land area is 83.24 square kilometres (32.1 sq mi).

Attractions

Formentera is renowned across Europe for many pristine white beaches and the fact that nude sunbathing is allowed on most of its beaches.

Although metalled roads allow access to all parts of the island and cars are easily hired in the port, many people choose to rent mopeds or even bicycles due to the flat nature of most of the island and the availability of dedicated cycle tracks in many locations.

Transport

The island was formerly reachable only by boat from Ibiza, making it the quieter of the two islands, but in recent years regular passenger service from the Spanish mainland has increased tourism.

Ferry tickets from Ibiza are available in advance, as are transfers from Ibiza airport or port directly to accommodation in Formentera.

Ferries to Formentera operate from their own terminal in Ibiza port, with departures every half hour in high season on large (200+ passenger) fast catamarans. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes with 10 minutes each leaving Ibiza, crossing the sea, and arriving in Formentera past the isthmus to Espalmador.

Culture

A local dialect of Catalan is spoken in Formentera. While the official languages are Catalan and Spanish, English, Italian, and German can also be heard extensively in the summer due to mass tourism.

History

The island's name is usually said to derive from the Latin word frumentarium, meaning "granary". The island had been occupied by the Carthaginians before passing to the ancient Romans. In succeeding centuries, it passed to the Visigoths, the Byzantines, the Vandals, and the Arabs. In 1109 it was the target of a devastating attack by the Norwegian king Sigurd I at the head of the "Norwegian Crusade". The Island was conquered by the Catalans, added to the Crown of Aragon and later became part of the medieval Kingdom of Majorca.

Map of Formentera

Sports

From 1 September to 7 September, Formentera hosted the 2007 Techno 293 OD World Championships in windsurfing for juniors under 15 and youths under 17.

Gallery

• 

  Church in Sant Francesc

• 

  Satellite picture of Formentera

• 

  The coastline near Cala Saona

• 

  Island of Espalmador

External links

• Formentera travel guide from Wikitravel
• Town council website
• The Official Tourism Portal of Formentera
• Local government website
• Formentera Photo Gallery
• HD 360 Virtual Tour of Formentera