Formentera

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Es-ib-if.gif Formentera is the smallest and most southerly island of the Balearic Islands group; it is one of the two Illes Pitiüses, along with Ibiza. It is 19 kilometres long and is located approximately 3 nautical miles (6 km) south of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea.

The island can only be reached by ship, so relatively few tourists come to this location, making it a much quieter place than the other islands in the region. 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.

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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 Crown of Aragon and became part of the Kingdom of Majorca.

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