IBIZA-Playa de Sa Caléta - Ibiza. Photo by ERALAlthough the name that is popular (and the Spanish pronunciation)
with the island of Spain is Ibiza, the official name is actually Eivissa. This
word comes from the Catalan language that is used in parts of Spain and France. The name is
pronounced roughly the same way in English, but residents of the United Kingdom or United States may say it a bit differently. It is actually not a large island at all, either.
It is about halfway in between Spain and the much larger island of Majorca.
History
The island of Ibiza was actually discovered over 2,500 years ago by Phoenician settlers. The
name has changed several times as it has been established as territory for different countries. This includes the
Romans, who once referred to Ibiza as Ebusus. Battles have been waged on Ibiza on numerous occasions. As a stopping
point between Spain and Majorca, Ibiza became a major trading spot. There were no other stops in between, so it made for
a great industry of trade and temporary housing. This was until around 200 B.C., when the island fell under attack in
the second of the Punic Wars . During this
period, Ibiza was a part of Carthage, and was a point where their soldiers could retreat to resupply for
battle. It wasn't until The 197's where Ibiza's autonomy was restored after being self-governed for over 200 years.
Ibiza has an estimated total population of just over
130,000 people, and is split into five different territories known as municipalities. The most notable of these is
Vila d'Eivissa which boasts nearly 50,000 residents, while the smallest of the municipalities is Sant Joan de Labritja with just over
5,000. There is a strong mix of culture in Ibiza that has been established over the past decade. Instead of primarily
being Spanish people, it has since blended with residents of other European countries that liked Ibiza so much, they
decided to call it home. The main reason for this is the weather. Throughout the year, the high temperatures are
expected to be around 22 °C, while the low drops down to a comfortable 14 °C . There is very little
precipitation as the sun is constantly shining on the beautiful beaches.
Tourism
One of the main
draws of Ibiza is the nightlife. Although the same could not be said about Ibiza hundreds of years ago, modern culture
has taken off on this island. Nightclubs and parties on the beach are two of the most popular pastimes for visitors and
residents alike. There are plenty of high-end hotels now, and the culture has grown considerably over the past five
years.
Beaches
It wouldn't be much of an island without beautiful beaches, and Ibiza is no
exception. There are many different locations and the entire island is surrounded by crystal clear water. Some of the
most popular locations are Sant Antoni Bay, Cala d'Hort, and the Platja d'en Bossa. Many will come
from all over just to watch the sunset off the coast of Ibiza.
Similar
Landmarks
Sant Francesc de Formentera, the small island south of Ibiza.
Palmda de
Mallorca, the major island off the coast of Spain, east of Ibiza.
Valencia, the nearest town in
Spain to Ibiza to the West of the Island.
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