Friday 19 February 2010

Ibiza

Ibiza is the 3rd largest Balearic Island and it is 79km off the coast of Valencia in the Mediterranean Sea. With Flormentera is one of the Pine Islands or Pityuses. It has a coastline of 200km. Ibiza is known as the White Island, La Isla Blanca. The island has become one of Europes most popular destinations in recent years. Many of the tourists who have visited have bought their own Apartments in Ibiza or their dream Villas in Ibiza.

Ibiza has the same climate as North West Mexico, California, Southern Australia, and central parts of Chile and Argentina. The average temperature is 17.5c,and average highs in august are 29c and average lows of 7c in winter. It's rainfall averages at 444mm. There are about 61 days of rainfall each year. The average annual humidity is 63.1%. The island receives about 2860 hours of sunshine a year.

Ibiza Town is the capital of the island and is to the south of the island. It is the administrative and historic centre of the island. The city is surrounded by a wall, which was built between 1554 and 1585 under the orders of Charles Quint. It’s a heptagonal structure with 3 entrances. The city hosts a Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church. The Cathedral was built between 8th and 9th centuries. The Saint Domingo Church was built at the end of 16th century for Dominicans orders; it has decorated numerous roofs in its dome, which is decorated with frescoes and mosaics. At the bottom of the city the harbour has boats services to Flormenta, Palma, Denia and Barcelona.

Ses Feixes is a network of water channels built by the Arabs. Creating a fertile land, which produced fresh vegetables. It is a very important bird sanctuary where you will see Flamingos and many other birds.

The Cala d'Hort, Cap Llentrisca i Sa Talia Natural Park and the Es Vedra plus Els Illots de Ponent Nature Reserves are on the south west of the island. The protected area has islets, marine areas, cliffs, mountain springs and fields of crops, woods and massifs. There are mountain peaks of Puig Llentrisca, Picatxo de Migjorn 328m and the highest on the island Sa Talaia at 487m. The islets and rocky crags act as a shelter from the sea for sea birds, lizards and invertebrates. There are 10 of these islets within the Park. There is various vegetation, which grows within its forests, arable fields and along the coastline. The underwater flora consists of marine phanerograms and posidinia oceanica. The park contains large numbers of nesting sea birds and also birds of prey. You can find wells, farmhouses, charcoal burners and lighthouses throughout the park.