Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands (Illes Balears Catalan official name, Islas Baleares in Spanish) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the coast of Spain. They form one of the Autonomous Communities of Spain, the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands. The Community's capital city is Palma de Mallorca. Its only province is Palma de Mallorca Province.

Related Topics:
Archipelago - Mediterranean Sea - Spain - Autonomous Communities of Spain - Palma de Mallorca - Palma de Mallorca Province

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The official languages are Catalan and Spanish.

Related Topics:
Catalan - Spanish

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The Balearic Islands are one of the catalan-speaking teritories designed by the cultural term of Catalan Countries.

Related Topics:
Catalan - Catalan Countries

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The main islands are Majorca (Mallorca), Minorca (Menorca), Ibiza (Eivissa), and Formentera, all popular tourist destinations.

Related Topics:
Majorca - Minorca - Ibiza - Formentera

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Among the minor islands is Cabrera, which is the location of the Parque Nacional del Archipiélago de Cabrera.

Related Topics:
Cabrera - Parque Nacional del Archipiélago de Cabrera

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Majorca and Minorca are the Balearic Islands proper, while the other islands are included in the appelation as part of the Autonomous Community. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Minorca, and Cabrera as the Illes Gimnesias, and Ibiza and Formentera as the Illes Pitiüses.

Related Topics:
Illes Gimnesias - Illes Pitiüses

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In ancient times, the islanders were famous for their skill with the sling. Historically they have been invaded by the Romans, the Vandals, the Byzantines, the Arabs, and the Catalan-Aragonese. The Catalan-Aragonese initially ruled the Balearics as the vassal Kingdom of Mallorca, and in 1344 incorporated it directly into the Aragonese kingdom, which was later absorbed into Spain.

Related Topics:
Sling - Romans - Vandals - Byzantines - Arab - Catalan-Aragonese - Kingdom of Mallorca - 1344

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Minorca was a British dependency in the 18th century.

Related Topics:
British - Dependency - 18th century

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Illes Balears sponsors a professional cycling team in the UCI ProTour.

Related Topics:
Cycling - UCI - ProTour

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