The Balearic Islands (Catalan: ''Illes Balears'', Spanish: Islas Baleares, Greek: Gymnesiae – Γυμνησίαι, Βαλλιαρεῖς, Diod. v. 17, Eustath. ad Dion. 457; Βαλιαρεῖς, Βαλιαρίδες, Steph. B.; Βαλεαρίδες, Strabo; Βαλλιαρίδες, Ptol. ii. 6. § 78; Βαλεαρίαι, Agathem., Latin: Baleares) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. 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 also called Illes Balears. The official languages are Catalan and Spanish. The Catalan name Illes Balears is the official one.
The Balearic Islands are one of the Catalan-speaking territories designated 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 Parc Nacional de l'Arxipčlag de Cabrera. Majorca and Minorca are the Balearic Islands proper, while the other islands are included in the appellation as part of the Autonomous Community. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Minorca, and Cabrera as the Gymnesian Islands, and Ibiza and Formentera as the Pine Islands.