Formentera is the smallest and most southerlyisland of thePityusic Islands group (comprisingIbiza and Formentera itself, as well as various small islets). It covers an area of 83.24 square kilometres (32.14 sq mi), including offshore islets. At the 2011 Census, the population was 10,583; according to the Census of 1 January 2021,[1] it counted 11,891 inhabitants, while the official estimate at 1 January 2023 was 11,389.[2]
The island and its surrounding islets became a separate insular council with the same territory as the eponymous municipality after 1977. Before that, it was administered in the former insular council of Ibiza and Formentera (covering the whole group of the Pityusic Islands), but in a separatecomarca which already covered the current municipality of Formentera. This reform allowed Ibiza to unify its comarca of five municipalities with its new insular council, no longer administrating Formentera.
Formentera comprises onemunicipality, also called Formentera, and has a population of 11,981 (as of 1 January 2021). Its land area is 83.24 km2 (32.14 sq mi). It is subdivided into several civil parishes (parròquies), themselves subdivided intovendas (véndes in Catalan).
North of Formentera is locatedEspalmador (in Catalan:Illa de S'Espalmador), the second largest island of the Pitiusas Islands, surrounded by a few minor islets.
Espalmador is atombolo, separated from the main island of Formentera by a shallowsandbar. This area is a popular stopping point for those in yachts heading between Ibiza and Formentera.
Formentera has asemi-arid climate with hot, very dry summers and warm, dry winters. The flat orography of the island means that rainfall is scarce and the temperature is quite uniform. The average annual rainfall is 370–420 mm. The average annual temperature is between 17 and 18 °C. Overall, the climate is mild, with an average annual temperature of 18.6 degrees Celsius and 2883 hours of annual sunshine on average.
Elections are held every four years concurrently withlocal elections. From 1983 to 2007, councilors were indirectly elected from the results of the election toParliament of the Balearic Islands for the constituencies ofIbiza andFormentera (then forming a single Island council, with Formentera sending a single councilor to both Parliament and the Island council). Since 2007, however, separate direct elections are held to elect the Island Council of Formentera, with currently 17 seats (it only sends a single one to the Balearic Parliament).
Results of the elections to the former Island Council of Ibiza and Formentera
Since the 1960s, Formentera has been a popular destination forhippies.[11] Formentera is renowned across Europe for many pristine white beaches and the fact thatnude sunbathing is allowed on most of itsbeaches.[12]
Throughout its history, Formentera has been the subject of many legends, written in novels by famous writers such asJules Verne, and in songs by musicians as varied asGilberto Gil andPink Floyd. From this artistic curiosity, the annualFormentera Jazz Festival has been held annually in early June and features many emerging and established musicians from the local and international scene.[13]
The Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse plays a pivotal role inJulio Medem's 2001 Spanish film,Sex and Lucia (Lucía y el sexo), which was filmed on the island and served as a touchstone for the various characters' interwoven relationships.[17][18]
Althoughpaved 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.
With no airports, 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 fromIbiza 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) fastcatamarans. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes comprising 10 minutes leaving Ibiza, 10 minutes crossing the sea, and 10 minutes arriving in Formentera past theisthmus toEspalmador.
Some of the anchorages may not be suitable for sailboats under less than ideal circumstances.[20]
A local Ibizan (eivissenc) variant of theBalearic dialect of theCatalan language is spoken in Formentera. While the official languages are Catalan andSpanish, other major languages like English, Italian, German, French and Dutch can also be heard extensively in the summer due to mass tourism.
From 1 September to 7 September, Formentera hosted the 2007 Techno 293 OD World Championships inwindsurfing for juniors under 15 and youths under 17.[21]
^abHaig, Matt (2015).Reasons to Stay Alive. London, U.K.: Cannongate Books. p. 231.ISBN9781782116820.Bob Dylan spent some time living in the lighthouse at Cap de Barbaria, on the island's southern tip. Formentera was also where Joni Mitchell wrote the albumBlue.
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