FORMENTERA
(A LITTLE INFO, IF YOUR INTERESTED) is the
smallest inhabited island in the archipelago of the Balears (Balearic
Islands) and also the closest to the meridian. It is situated at 38l N
and 1l E. Although it is included within the political and administrative
framework of the Comunitat Autònoma de les Illes Balears (Autonomous Community
of the Balearic Islands), for historical and cultural reasons its more
immediate and precise geographical framework is that of the Illes Pitiüses,
a historical denomination given to the islands of Eivissa (Ibiza) and
Formentera, whereas the term "Balears" is more precisely applied to the
neighboring sister islands of Mallorca (Majorca) and Menorca. Formentera
is located 11 miles south of Eivissa, separated from which by the islets
and reefs of Es Freus, which marks the path between the two islands. Further
towards the west we find the Valencian coast and towards the south, the
Algerian coast. The island has a surface area of 84 Km2, which reaches
87 Km2 when counting the surrounding islets. It has a population of 5000,
but can reach five times that amount during the summer season. Snow is practically unknown on the island; only the most elderly remember a snow fall in their childhood (a few years ago, it snowed a bit in Es Cap, but it was an extremely rare occurrence). But yes, in Formentera the wind blows strongly, due to its flat surface and isolation; the land is molded by the eight winds, the names of which are well-known by the inhabitants: tramontana, migjorn, llevant, ponent, gregal, xaloc, llebeig, and mestral. Especially strong and feared by the sailors and fishermen is the llebeig, from the south-west, which can arrive with considerable force when it blows across Formentera. All of this makes the island an exemplary model of the Mediterranean climate, allowing for an environment whose richness and beauty is difficult to equal, but with an extremely fragile and delicate equilibrium. In Formentera you can find what are probably the Mediterranean's cleanest and most beautiful beaches, with transparent water and fine, white sand. Among them it is necessary to mention Ses Illetes, Es Trocadors, and Llevant, along the north, Migjorn and Es Carnatge on either side of the stretch of land which leads to La Mola, and the two principal beaches of Es Pujols: that which shares its name, and Platja de'n Pou, separated by Sa Roca Plana. Also unforgettable is Cala Saona, found in between Punta de Sa Pedrera and Cap de Berberia. In the northern part of the island lie the lakes, Estany des Peix and Estany Pudent, and the salt mines, Ses Salines, all important ecosystems of great ecological value, Natural Reserves protected by law. El Estany Pudent, the largest of the two lakes, receives this name due to the disagreeable odor released when the high temperatures provoke the decomposition of the algae in its depths. Even so, it receives the periodic visits of various birds: among which were the flamingos, to the extent that the lake bore the name Estany dels Flamencs, thanks to the various spouts of sweet-water along the bottom.Estany des Peix and its surroundings are also of an important ecological interest. Ses Salines, the salt mines, were very active years ago, but today are abandoned and in a sad state of disrepair, in spite of being protected. Both marine and terrestrial fauna are rich and peculiar, above all for the fish and birds. Also notable, on land, is the Pitiusan lizard or "sargantana," as it is known here, which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth and which on Formentera is different from the one found on Eivissa. The lizard has become an authentic symbol of the island. In the sea a great number of species can be found, including, until not too long ago, the vell marí, or Mediterranean seal. There's also a large number of seagulls and cormorants, sea birds which populate the entire coast of Formentera. Regarding
the flora and, specifically, the trees, predominated by pine and savina,
the most noteworthy is that which has become an authentic symbol of the
island: the fig tree. Seen scattered among the fields, they can reach
enormous dimensions, until the branches have to be supported with wood
poles called estelons. They can live to be a hundred years of age; the
oldest and largest fig tree on the island is Na Blanca d'en Ferrer, in
Ses Bardetes, next to Sant Francesc , but unfortunately it is beginning
to dry out, giving up its title to Na Blanca de'n Mestre, in Ses Clotades.
Also worth special mention is the chumbera, with sweet fruit but difficult
access, as well as the almond, olive and carob trees and evergreen oaks
In the high cliffs of Es Cap de Berberia and La Mola lie legendary caves.
Legendary, at least, for the formenterans, the people of the island. Located
in Es Cap is the cave of Sant Val.lero, possibly the largest on the island,
which inspires both admiration and fear. The same can be said about the
Cova des Fum in La Mola, which apparently was the scene of a ferocious
attack of the Vikings against the Saracens which inhabited the cave, an
attack which is attributed to history as well as legend. |
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