Formigues Islands facts for kids
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Native name:
Illes Formigues
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The Formigues
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 Formigues Islands
Location in Catalonia
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 41°51′45″N 3°11′12″E / 41.86250°N 3.18667°E |
| Total islands | 16 |
| Major islands | Formiga Gran |
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Spain
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| Community | Catalonia |
| Municipality | Palamós and Palafrugell |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
The Formigues Islands (which means "Ant Islands" in Catalan!) are a group of 16 tiny islands located off the coast of Catalonia, Spain. They are about three miles from the port of Palamós in Girona Province. These islands face the beautiful beaches of Calella and Cap Roig. One of the islands, Formiga Gran, even has a lighthouse. Sometimes, when the sea is rough, the waves can completely cover these small islands.
Administratively, the islands are split between the towns of Palamós and Palafrugell.
Contents
About the Formigues Islands
What's Underwater?
The waters around the Formigues Islands are quite interesting. The depth changes a lot, from about 9 meters (30 feet) deep to more than 45 meters (148 feet) deep. The islands themselves are mostly made of a type of rock called calcareous rock.
Underwater, you can find many caves and rocky areas. These spots are full of amazing marine plants. You can see lots of colorful sea fans, which are a type of coral that looks like a fan.
A Bit of History
The Formigues Islands were once the site of an important battle. In the year 1285, a fight known as the Battle of Les Formigues took place here. This battle was part of a larger conflict in the region.
Protecting the Islands
In 2009, the Spanish government's Ministry of the Natural, Rural and Marine Environment had a plan. They wanted to declare the Formigues Islands a nature reserve. This would have meant protecting a large area of 420 hectares (about 1,038 acres) around the islands. Fishing would have been stopped in this special zone. However, this plan was put on hold because of money concerns at the time.
See also
In Spanish: Islas Formigues para niños
