Formentera Information & Formentera Links at HealthHaven.com

Formentera
	; Flag of Ibiza and Formentera
Geography
Location	Mediterranean Sea
Coordinates	Coordinates: 38°42′N 1°27′E / 38.7°N 1.45°E
Archipelago	Illes Pitiüses, Balearic Islands
Area	83.24 square kilometres (32.1 sq mi)
Country
	Spain
Autonomous Community	Balearic Islands
Province	Balearic Islands
Largest city	Sant Francesc Xavier
Demographics
Population	7,461 (as of 2002)

Formentera is the smallest and southernmost island of the Illes Pitiüses group (which includes Ibiza and Formentera) and belongs to the Balearic Islands autonomous community (Spain). It is 19 kilometres (12 mi) long and is located approximately 6 kilometres (4 mi) 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 Ibiza, making it the quieter of the two islands but in recent years regular lines from the Spanish mainland have increased the amount of tourism. It is known for its many pristine beaches and the fact that nude sunbathing is allowed on most of its beaches.

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 7,461 (2002). Its land area is 83.24 square kilometres (32.1 sq mi).

A local dialect of Catalan is spoken in Formentera, while the official language is Catalan. Italian, Spanish and German can be heard extensively in the summer.

[edit] 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 an devastating attack by the Norwegian king Sigurd I at the head of the "Norwegian Crusade". The Island was conquered by the Catalan, added to the Crown of Aragon and later became part of the medieval Kingdom of Majorca.

Map of Formentera

[edit] 2007 windsurfing world championship

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.^[1]