Geography & location of Formentera island
Where is Formentera?
Formentera is the most southerly of the Balearic archipelago.
The Balearic islands consist of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
The smallest, at only 20 km in length and 82 km2, Formentera is the least well known, but in many respects the most beautiful.
Formentera is separated from Ibiza by only a 6 km stretch of water, but the pace of life is more relaxed and far removed from the night life associated with her sister Pitiusa island.
Formentera has become increasingly popular especially during the summer months in recent years. It has to be one of the top five most beautiful locations in Europe. It is surrounded by peaceful, crystal clear water where the beautiful Mediterranean beaches are indescribably unique.
From time to time the island is associated with various celebrities through a few poorly written magazine and newspaper articles, and web-site commentary. The only way to witness the beauty of the island is to visit first hand.
The Balearic islands consist of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.
The smallest, at only 20 km in length and 82 km2, Formentera is the least well known, but in many respects the most beautiful.
Formentera is separated from Ibiza by only a 6 km stretch of water, but the pace of life is more relaxed and far removed from the night life associated with her sister Pitiusa island.
Formentera has become increasingly popular especially during the summer months in recent years. It has to be one of the top five most beautiful locations in Europe. It is surrounded by peaceful, crystal clear water where the beautiful Mediterranean beaches are indescribably unique.
From time to time the island is associated with various celebrities through a few poorly written magazine and newspaper articles, and web-site commentary. The only way to witness the beauty of the island is to visit first hand.
Geography of Formentera
Formentera is situated about 5 miles to the south of Ibiza. Both islands together are called the Pitiusa archipelago.
Formentera is generally quite flat and has a surface area of some 84 km2.
The island has a distinctive outline dominated by the wild and imposing Cap de Barbaria in the south west where the highest point is Puig Guillem (109 m).
The majestic cultivated high plateau of La Mola is in the east (192 metres), the long peninsula of Es Trocadores reaching towards S’Espalmador and Ibiza to the north which forms the rugged, but beautiful, western ‘Ponent’ coast of Formentera, encompassing the beach inlet of Cala Sahona.
To the North there are two 'estanys' or lagoons, these are the Estany Pudent and the Estany des Peix.
Formentera is generally quite flat and has a surface area of some 84 km2.
The island has a distinctive outline dominated by the wild and imposing Cap de Barbaria in the south west where the highest point is Puig Guillem (109 m).
The majestic cultivated high plateau of La Mola is in the east (192 metres), the long peninsula of Es Trocadores reaching towards S’Espalmador and Ibiza to the north which forms the rugged, but beautiful, western ‘Ponent’ coast of Formentera, encompassing the beach inlet of Cala Sahona.
To the North there are two 'estanys' or lagoons, these are the Estany Pudent and the Estany des Peix.
More information about Formentera island, Spain
Population - Formentera has a population of approximately 7,000 people, which rises to some 35,000 during the summer season. The local population are friendly and welcoming.
Largest town - San Francisco Javier is the capital town of Formentera. The only Town Hall on the island is located there. The other villages on the island are San Fernando, La Sabina (the only port on the island), Es Pujols, Es Caló and El Pilar. San Francisco is the largest town on the island of about 1000 people.
Area- Formentera is a relatively small island at only 84 km 2.
Climate - Formentera is renowned for a superb Mediterranean climate which is made up of hot, dry summers and mild, cooler but surprisingly warm and bright winters. Cooling sea breezes prevent excessive humidity in the summer and the element of stifling heat associated with Southern Spain.
Cuisine - Spanish cooking uses quite a lot of meat, depending on farming and tradition in the region. Chicken, pork and rabbit feature in many dishes and meat products like sausages and salamis are in a class of their own - particularly chorizo, Spain's spicy best-loved sausage. Prawns and shrimps are extremely popular, and anchovies and sardines are both widely eaten. Squid cooked in its own ink has to be tasted to be believed, and rape (or monk fish) is one of the nation's favourite dishes. All these can make an appearance in the ubiquitous fish soup which varies from region to region. Gazpacho is another famous Spanish soup, made with tomato, olive oil, garlic, cucumbers and croutons, served chilled.
Visas - Formentera is situated in Spain which is an EU country. For this reason, no one from other EU countries requires a visa.
Major language - The official language is Castilian (Spanish), however, Formentera is a very proud Catalonian region and for this reason, Catalan is very commonly spoken and taught in schools.
English speaking population - Due to a heavy reliance on tourism, many locals speak English. There are only a small number of English people that live on the island permanently and English visitors consist only about 10% of the total number of the tourist population.
There are no English bars on the island and the mix of tourists helps give the island a unique appeal.
Places of interest- The long, white sandy beaches, speckled with welcoming beach bars offering refreshing drinks and delicious tapas are of particular interest to most people.
Other sites of specific interest include the spectacular view from La Mola lighthouse which is said to have given Jules Verne the inspiration in his novels. There is a memorial dedicated to his memory at the base of the lighthouse.
There are also interesting Neolithic caves to visit as well as many other interesting geographic formations. Bob Dylan is rumored to have stayed at the historic windmill in El Pilar which is worth seeing.
The Fonda Pepe hostal and bar in San Fernando is famous as a hippy hangout where the philosopher’s wall can be found and there are the spectacular ruins of a former hippy commune at Can Marroig.
Monetary unit- Formentera as a Spanish island uses the euro.
Main exports and economic situation- Tourism is the main source of income in Formentera.
Largest town - San Francisco Javier is the capital town of Formentera. The only Town Hall on the island is located there. The other villages on the island are San Fernando, La Sabina (the only port on the island), Es Pujols, Es Caló and El Pilar. San Francisco is the largest town on the island of about 1000 people.
Area- Formentera is a relatively small island at only 84 km 2.
Climate - Formentera is renowned for a superb Mediterranean climate which is made up of hot, dry summers and mild, cooler but surprisingly warm and bright winters. Cooling sea breezes prevent excessive humidity in the summer and the element of stifling heat associated with Southern Spain.
Cuisine - Spanish cooking uses quite a lot of meat, depending on farming and tradition in the region. Chicken, pork and rabbit feature in many dishes and meat products like sausages and salamis are in a class of their own - particularly chorizo, Spain's spicy best-loved sausage. Prawns and shrimps are extremely popular, and anchovies and sardines are both widely eaten. Squid cooked in its own ink has to be tasted to be believed, and rape (or monk fish) is one of the nation's favourite dishes. All these can make an appearance in the ubiquitous fish soup which varies from region to region. Gazpacho is another famous Spanish soup, made with tomato, olive oil, garlic, cucumbers and croutons, served chilled.
Visas - Formentera is situated in Spain which is an EU country. For this reason, no one from other EU countries requires a visa.
Major language - The official language is Castilian (Spanish), however, Formentera is a very proud Catalonian region and for this reason, Catalan is very commonly spoken and taught in schools.
English speaking population - Due to a heavy reliance on tourism, many locals speak English. There are only a small number of English people that live on the island permanently and English visitors consist only about 10% of the total number of the tourist population.
There are no English bars on the island and the mix of tourists helps give the island a unique appeal.
Places of interest- The long, white sandy beaches, speckled with welcoming beach bars offering refreshing drinks and delicious tapas are of particular interest to most people.
Other sites of specific interest include the spectacular view from La Mola lighthouse which is said to have given Jules Verne the inspiration in his novels. There is a memorial dedicated to his memory at the base of the lighthouse.
There are also interesting Neolithic caves to visit as well as many other interesting geographic formations. Bob Dylan is rumored to have stayed at the historic windmill in El Pilar which is worth seeing.
The Fonda Pepe hostal and bar in San Fernando is famous as a hippy hangout where the philosopher’s wall can be found and there are the spectacular ruins of a former hippy commune at Can Marroig.
Monetary unit- Formentera as a Spanish island uses the euro.
Main exports and economic situation- Tourism is the main source of income in Formentera.
