Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA  137

FORMENTERA

The tiny island of Formentera, 4 km (2 miles) south of Ibiza, is just
85 sq km (32 sq miles) in area, including its two satellite islets, Espardell
and Espalmador. A sense of peace and tranquillity pervades the island.
The beaches are secluded, the grassy farmland is serene and the tiny
clusters of whitewashed houses that make up the island’s villages are
positively slumberous.

It is the very lack of high-profile tourist Ages, Formentera remained practically
facilities that attracts visitors. Its beaches deserted. The second major wave of
are some of the emptiest and cleanest settlers arrived in the late 17th century.
to be found anywhere in Spain, high-rise It was at that time that several defensive
hotels are nowhere to be seen and the watchtowers were built, although only
main means of transport on the island a handful of them survive today.
are bicycles and scooters – the tourist Ever since that time, Formentera
office will encourage you to cycle has managed to maintain its unique
rather than hire a car. character as a virgin island. The quiet
The Greeks called it Snake Island farmsteads and villages appear to have
(although snakes are rarely seen), but remained unaffected by modern living,
never settled here. The more practical and the loveliest corners of the island
Romans left settlers on the island to are only reached by rough, unpaved
grow cereals and other crops, and roads. For the peace-loving visitor, it
named it Frumenteria (Wheat Island), is a tranquil idyll. Even so, the island’s
giving rise to its present name. economy is entirely dependent upon
Following the fall of the Roman Empire, its summer visitors, most of whom come
the island became a refuge for outlaws for day trips. Each summer the island’s
and pirates. For two centuries it was ruled population doubles, but there are still
by the Arabs. Throughout the Middle plenty of quiet spots to be found.

Century-old stone windmill on the island of Formentera
Beautiful, rugged coastline of the small island of Formentera

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