Physical description of the Balearic Islands

The Balearic archipelago comprises the islands of Mallorca (3640,11 km2), Menorca (701 km2), Ibiza (572 km2), Formentera (83.24 km2), Cabrera (15.69 km2) and adjacent islets.

Mallorca has a varied orography with its maximum height in the Puig Major (1432 m) in the Serra de Tramuntana. Menorca is a low island, with a maximum height of 358 meters from Monte Toro. Ibiza is mountainous with a maximum height of 475 meters Sa Talaiasa, and Formentera is the lowest and flat.

Located in the Mediterranean Sea off the Iberian Peninsula.

Geographic coordinates are between 40º5’48 ‘and 38º40’30’ N latitude and between 1º12’47 ‘and 4º19’ long E.

Climate

In general, the climate in the Balearics is Mediterranean, very regulated and stable due to the effect of the sea. In summer the anticyclone of the Azores absolutely dominates the climate. Temperatures rise a lot, especially sea temperature. Winter is relatively mild with average monthly temperatures above 10 degrees C.

The island of Mallorca is protected from the north-northwest winds by the mountain chain called “Serra de Tramuntana”, which counts at its highest peak at 1410 meters high. The rest of the island is a flat landscape except for some hills.

Menorca is a flat island, exposed more strongly to the action of the winds, especially Tramuntana, which is usually persistent, cold, dry and strong.