The Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (Catalan: Parc Nacional Maritimoterrestre de l'Arxipèlag de Cabrera, Spanish: Parque nacional marítimo-terrestre del Archipiélago de Cabrera) is a national park that includes all of the Cabrera Archipelago in the Balearic Islands (Catalan: Illes Balears, Spanish: Islas Baleares), a region that is part of Spain. The park is the largest in Spain, covering 908 square kilometers (351 square miles), including 895 square kilometers (346 square miles) of sea area. The park has few visitors because it is far from major cities. There is no permanent population, but there may be about 100 National Park staff members and other workers on the islands at any time.

The archipelago has high natural value. Because it has been isolated for much of its history, it has remained largely unchanged. The coastal landscape of Cabrera is often considered one of the best-preserved along the Spanish coast and throughout the Mediterranean. The islands are covered with important groups of seabirds and other species found only in this area. Because of its rich variety of plant and animal life and the large number of bird species, the park is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. It is also a Site of Community Importance (SIC), which means it is part of the Natura 2000 network. The park is also included in the Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI), as outlined by the Barcelona Convention for protected marine areas.

Administratively, the islands belong to the municipality of Palma de Mallorca, even though they are far from the city.

History

From 1973 to 1986, the use of the islands by the Spanish Armed Forces made it hard to protect the archipelago. In 1988, the Parliament of the Balearic Islands agreed on a plan to create the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park. This plan was sent to the Spanish Parliament and became a law on April 29, 1991. The park is also managed by the "Master Plan for Use and Management of the Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park," which was approved by the Government of the Balearic Islands through Order 58/2006 on July 1, 2006, and is valid for six years. Some military activities still take place in the area.

Visiting

Cabrera Archipelago National Park is an area where boats are not allowed to go freely. Boats cannot anchor in the island's natural harbor and must use special places to tie boats, which must be reserved ahead of time. People can only get to the island by small boat called a dinghy. Many animals that are rare elsewhere, like certain sea snails and a unique black lizard, live here.

The waters around the park have many different types of sea life. Types of whales and dolphins, such as sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins, and fin whales, are often seen. Other whales like humpback whales and orcas are sometimes spotted. Loggerhead turtles also live in the area.

Diving is only allowed with a special permit, and visitors can only stay for one day. Trips to the island are special and highly valued by divers. There are many hiking trails, but they are usually part of guided tours. However, the castle and lighthouse can be visited without a guide. The island has a visitor center, a 14th-century castle, a museum, a gift shop, and a bar.