II.

Physical Geography

The landscape of the Balearic Islands is characterized by woodlands, fertile plains, and coastlines with numerous sandy coves separated by craggy cliffs. Majorca is the largest of the Balearics, with an area of 3,640 sq km (1,405 sq mi). The Sierra del Norte mountain range runs along the northern coast of the island, rising to between 1,070 and 1,525 m (3,500 and 5,000 ft) in height. Minorca, the second largest island, covers an area of 702 sq km (271 sq mi). Mount Toro, in central Minorca, is the island’s highest peak, at 358 m (1,175 ft). Ibiza has a rugged, indented coastline some 210 km (130 mi) long. The island has an area of 570 sq km (220 sq mi), and the highest point, at 472 m (1,550 ft), is Atalaiassa. With an area of 93 sq km (36 sq mi), Formentera is the smallest inhabited island of the group and lies immediately to the south of Ibiza. Dense pine forests cover much of the interior of Ibiza and Formentera, and the islands are often called las islas Pitiusas (pine-covered islands).

At the southernmost tip of Ibiza and the northernmost tip of Formentera are large, ancient expanses of salt pans, which are protected as nature reserves. The surrounding salt marshes and coastal lagoons provide an ideal breeding ground for many species of water fowl. Cabrera, one of the smaller islets, is a national park—the Archipelago de Cabrera National Park, designated in 1991. The park is an important habitat for seabirds, as well as a number of rare birds of prey, including ospreys, storm petrels, and falcons.