What the FAQ: Formentera
WHAT ARE YOUR MEASURES?
The mainland of Formentera occupies 83.2 km2, 17 km long by 8 km wide and only 2 km at its narrowest point.
HOW FAR IS IT FROM THE PORT?
It is separated from the port of Ibiza by 12.3 nautical miles and 35 minutes by ferry, which costs €27 for non-residents.
HOW'S THE WEATHER?
Enjoy more than 300 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of between 18º and 25º, which rarely drops below 11º. It rains little, 46 days last year, but the wind blows 9 out of 10 days.
HOW MANY INHABITANTS DOES IT HAVE?
12,280 people live there, 45% more than 10 years ago.
The mainland of Formentera occupies 83.2 km2, 17 km long by 8 km wide
HOW MANY PEOPLE VISIT THE ISLAND?
In 2017 it received 800,000 visitors.
WHAT TOURIST CAPACITY DOES IT HAVE?
It has 13,422 beds, 219 eating establishments and 3 diving centers.
WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT LIKE?
There are 69 km of coastline and 2 beaches adapted for people with reduced mobility: Es Pujols and Arenals, and 32 signposted green circuits with 111 kilometers to cover on foot or by bicycle.
WHICH CIRCUIT REACHES THE HIGHEST POINT?
One of them, the Camí Romà, climbs to the highest point of the island, at 192 meters. There stands the Faro de la Mola, 22 meters high and inaugurated in 1928.
La Mola Lighthouse, Formentera
HOW IS THE MARINE SPECIES?
Underwater live 1,000 species of marine animals, more than 400 plants and 7,650 hectares, almost 8 kilometers, of oceanic Posidonia meadows.
WHERE DOES THE OXYGEN COME FROM?
1/2 of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean and 1 hectare of posidonia meadow produces 100,000 liters of oxygen per day, 5 times more than 1 hectare of Amazon rainforest, and absorbs 830 tons of carbon, three times more than the tropical forest .
HOW MUCH DOES IT GROW PER YEAR?
It grows only 1 centimeter a year, at a depth of between 1 and 40 meters, and is essential for biodiversity, the purity of the sea and life on the planet.
HAS YOU GIVEN TERRITORY?
Posidonia has survived more than 5 million years, but in recent decades it has suffered a regression of almost 40%.
Underwater live more than 1000 species of marine animals and 400 plants
HOW DO YOU PROTECT NATURE?
77 ecological buoys protect the meadows from the boats that dock in the coves, suitable only for boats of less than 25 meters. In 2016, the 'Save Posidonia Project' initiative was launched, with which everyone is invited to sponsor them. 1 square meter costs €1.
HOW MUCH HAVE YOU SPONSORED?
They already have 132,682m2.
DO YOU HAVE PRIVATE ISLANDS?
150 meters from the coast is S'Espalmador, a private islet of 2.9 square kilometers that was sold in 2018 for 18 million euros.
HOW MANY BIRDS ARE THERE?
In the Parc Natural de Ses Salines d'Eivissa i Formentera there are 4 endemic species and 210 birds.
Posidonia, Formentera
_*This report was published in number 117 of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (May 2018). Subscribe to the printed edition (11 printed issues and a digital version for €24.75, by calling 902 53 55 57 or from our website). The May issue of Condé Nast Traveler is available in its digital version to enjoy on your preferred device. _