Balearic Islands
a group of 4 large and 11 small islands, S. E. of Spain, including Majorca, Minorca, Iviza, and Formentera. The Romans annexed the islands in 123 B. C. after the destruction of Carthage which had held them previously. After being taken by the Vandals, under Genseric, and later by the Moors, they were taken in 1232 by James I., King of Aragon, and constituted a kingdom, which in 1375 was united to Spain. The islands now form a Spanish province, with an area of 1,935 square miles. Pop. about 350,000.