The Balearic Islands ( Illes Balears Catalan official name, Islas Baleares in Spanish) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea , near the coast of Spain . They form one of the Autonomous Communities of Spain , the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands . The Community's capital city is Palma de Mallorca . Its only province is Palma de Mallorca Province .
The official languages are Catalan and Spanish.
The Balearic Islands are one of the catalan - speaking teritories designed by the cultural term of Catalan Countries.
The main islands are Majorca ( Mallorca ), Minorca ( Menorca ), Ibiza ( Eivissa ), and Formentera , all popular tourist destinations.
Among the minor islands is Cabrera , which is the location of the Parque Nacional del Archipiélago de Cabrera .
Majorca and Minorca are the Balearic Islands proper, while the other islands are included in the appelation as part of the Autonomous Community. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Minorca, and Cabrera as the Illes Gimnesias , and Ibiza and Formentera as the Illes Pitiüses.