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Pine Islands

Pityusic Islands
Pitiüses
Native name: Illes Pitiüses
Ibiza flag.svg
Flag of Ibiza
Localització de les Pitiüses respecte les Illes Balears.svg
Etymology Greek: Πιτυοῦσσαι, Pityûssai: pine-covered (islands)
Geography
Location Mediterranean Sea
Coordinates Coordinates: 38°42′N 1°27′E / 38.700°N 1.450°E / 38.700; 1.450
Archipelago Balearic Islands
Area 655.8 km2 (253.2 sq mi)
Highest elevation 476 m (1,562 ft)
Highest point Talaia, Ibiza
Administration
Spain
Autonomous Community Balearic Islands
Province Balearic Islands
Largest settlement Ibiza (pop. 37,408)
Demographics
Population 142,599 (1 January 2010)
Pop. density 217.44 /km2 (563.17 /sq mi)

The Pityusic Islands, often referenced simply as the Pityuses (Catalan: Pitiüses [pitiˈuzəs], Spanish: Pitiusas; from the Greek πιτύα pitýa, pine tree), or commonly but informally (and ambiguously) as the Pine Islands, is the name given collectively to the Balearic islands of Ibiza (Catalan: Eivissa), Formentera, S'Espalmador and other small islets in the Mediterranean Sea.

The islands are situated approximately 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of the island of Majorca, and approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the Cap de la Nau in the Iberian Peninsula.

In antiquity they were known as the Pityusa islands, listed in Claudius Ptolemy's Geography, under the names Ophiusis and Ebyssus, which had a town of the same name. The islands were used by Cilician pirates as a base. The Roman general Annius drove them out with a large fleet and with them the Roman renegade general Quintus Sertorius, who was seeking refuge there.

The Pine Islands are sometimes grouped together as part of the Balearic Islands, or else considered separate with the Balearics proper being Majorca and Minorca (which together with their islets, are forming the Gymnesian Islands). Politically, they are part of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands.


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