Medes Islands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Illes Medes
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Islands
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Illes Medes seen from L'Estartit beach. Meda gran is in the forefront, taking over most of the silhouette
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 Illes Medes
Location in Province of Girona
Illes Medes
Location in Catalonia
Illes Medes
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Catalonia |
| Province | Girona |
| Comarca | Baix Empordà |
| Municipality | Torroella de Montgrí |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.215 km2 (0.083 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Population
(2009)
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| • Total | no permanent population |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
The Illes Medes (which means Medes Islands in Spanish) are a small group of seven rocky islands. You can find them off the coast of Costa Brava in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. These islands are part of Catalonia, Spain, and are close to the town of L'Estartit.
The Illes Medes are a special nature reserve. This means they are protected to keep their natural beauty and wildlife safe. Many people enjoy scuba diving here, but because it's a protected area, you need special permission to dive.
Contents
The Seven Medes Islands
The Illes Medes are made up of seven islands and islets. Each one is unique!
- Meda Gran is the biggest island. It's about 0.18 square kilometers in size. This island has some Mediterranean plants growing on it. There's also an old lighthouse built in 1866. A lighthouse keeper used to live there until 1932. Now, the light works automatically using solar power.
- Meda Xica is the second largest island. It's much smaller, only about 0.02 square kilometers.
- Carall (or Cavall) Bernat, Tascons Grossos, Medellot, Tascons Petits, and Ferrenelles are the other five. These are mostly steep rocks sticking out of the sea.
A Look at Medes Islands History
The Medes Islands have a long and interesting history.
Fortress and Prison
In the 1400s, a group called the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem built a fortress on Meda Gran. Later, they left the island. In the 1500s, pirates attacked the fortress and damaged it.
During the 1700s, the fortress was used as a prison. Then, during the Napoleonic Wars (early 1800s), it was made strong again for military use.
Military Importance
In 1811, during a war, British troops helped capture and destroy the French fort on Meda Gran. A few weeks later, another general rebuilt and strengthened the fort. He even renamed the islands the "Isles of the Restoration." The last soldiers left the islands in 1890.
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Protecting Medes Islands Nature
The Medes Islands are very important for nature.
A Special Marine Reserve
In 1983, the government of Catalonia declared the islands a protected area. This means they are now an important marine reserve in the western Mediterranean Sea. A marine reserve is like a national park, but underwater!
Underwater Life
Even though there has been some pollution and lots of tourism along the coast, the waters around the Medes Islands are full of amazing sea life. You can find large underwater meadows of a special plant called Posidonia oceanica. There are also underwater caves where fish like groupers come to breed and raise their young. This protection helps keep these important habitats safe for future generations.
See also
In Spanish: Islas Medas para niños
- Costa Brava
