Formentera

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Flag of Formentera
Flag of Formentera

Formentera is the smallest and southernmost island of the Illes Pitiüses group (which includes Eivissa (Ibiza) and Formentera) and belongs to the Balearic Islands autonomous community. It is 19 kilometres long and is located approximately 3 nautical miles (6 km) south of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea. Its major villages are Sant Francesc Xavier, Sant Ferran de ses Roques, El Pilar de la Mola and La Savina.

The island was reachable by ship only from Eivissa and this made it the quietest of both islands but in recent years regular lines from the Spanish peninsula have increased the amount of tourism. It is best known for the fact that nude sunbathing is allowed on most of its beaches.

Formentera comprises one municipality, also called Formentera, and has a population of 7,461 (2002). It is part of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, belonging currently to the kingdom of Spain.

Catalan is its vernacular and official language, and Spanish is official too. Italian and German can be heard extensively in summer.

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[edit] History

The island's name is usually said to derive from the Latin word frumentum, meaning "grain." The island had been occupied by the Carthaginians before passing to the Romans. In succeeding centuries, it passed to the Visigoths, the Byzantines, the Vandals, and the Arabs. It was conquered by the Catalan, added to the Crown of Aragon and later became part of the medieval Kingdom of Majorca.

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    edit Municipalities in the Balearic Islands Flag of the Balearic Islands

    Mallorca: Alaró | Alcúdia | Algaida | Andratx | Ariany | Artà | Banyalbufar | Binissalem | Búger | Bunyola | Calvià | Campanet | Campos | Capdepera | Consell | Costitx | Deià | Escorca | Esporles | Estellencs | Felanitx | Fornalutx | Inca | Lloret de Vistalegre | Lloseta | Llubí | Llucmajor | Manacor | Mancor de la Vall | Maria de la Salut | Marratxí | Montuïri | Muro | Palma | Petra | Sa Pobla | Pollença | Porreres | Puigpunyent | Ses Salines | Sant Joan | Sant Llorenç des Cardassar | Santa Eugènia | Santa Margalida | Santa María del Camí | Santanyí | Selva | Sencelles | Sineu | Sóller | Son Servera | Valldemossa | Vilafranca de Bonany
    Minorca: Alaior | Es Castell | Ciutadella de Menorca | Ferreries | Maó | Es Mercadal | Es Migjorn Gran | Sant Lluís
    Ibiza: Ibiza Town (Eivissa Vila) | Sant Antoni de Portmany | Sant Joan de Labritja | Sant Josep de sa Talaia | Santa Eulària des Riu
    Formentera


    Coordinates: 38°42′N, 1°27′E