Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago forms a province and autonomous community of Spain. Palma de Mallorca is its capital and largest city. Formerly part of the Kingdom of Majorca, the islands were made a Spanish province in the 19th century, and in 1983 received a Statute of Autonomy. In 2007, the islands were designated one of Spain's nationalities. The Balearic Islands' official languages are Catalan and Spanish. The islands are grouped into the western Pityuses, the largest being Ibiza and Formentera, and the eastern Gymnesians, the largest being Mallorca and Menorca. Many of the minor islands and islets are close to the larger islands, including Cabrera, Dragonera, and S'Espalmador. It is the second-largest and most populous archipelago in Spain, after the Canary Islands. The islands have a Mediterranean climate, and the four major islands are all popular tourist destinations. Ibiza, in particular, is known as an international party destination, attracting many of the world's most popular DJs to its nightclubs. Culture and cuisine are similar to those of the rest of Spain, with some distinctive features.