Ibiza is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea about 80 km off the coast of Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands autonomous community (Spain). With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands. Its largest cities are Ibiza Town (Catalan:Vila d'Eivissa or simply Vila), Santa Eulària des Riu and Sant Antoni de Portmany.
Eivissa is the official Catalan name (pronounced locally [əiˈvisə] and [əiˈβisə] in Standard Catalan), but the name in Spanish is Ibiza, usually pronounced using the standard Spanish variation [iˈβ̞iθa]. In British English, the name is usually pronounced the Spanish way (IPA: /ɪˈbiːθə, iː-; aɪ-, -sə, -tsə/), while in American English the pronunciation is more varied (IPA: /ɪˈbiːzə, -sə; -ˈviːθə, -θɑː; aɪ-, -tsə/).
The island of Ibiza is well-known for its summer club parties which attract large numbers of tourists, but the island and the Spanish Tourist Office have been working to shed the prevailing "sex-and-alcohol" image in order to promote more family-oriented tourism. Noted clubs include Space, Pacha, Privilege (ex Ku), Amnesia, DC10, Eden, Es Paradis, and the famed Cafe Del Mar. It is also home to the 'West End' party district of Sant Antoni, a popular stop for many tourists. |
