May 2009
[ Ibiza Photo Gallery ]
Alison: Ibiza has to be one of the most challenging locations I have ever been to when it comes to understanding the geography.
The issue for me was confusing terminology. But then, unlike me, you are probably smarter than a fifth grader.
It doesn’t help that to start, the island not only shares the same name as one of its five municipalities but is ALSO the name of the capital. Then there is the official Catalonian translation versus the Spanish translation … Plus, within Ibiza Town itself, there are two sections.
I am embarrassed to admit that it took me forever to get this straight. I thought a quick reference might be useful to future Ibiza travelers.
Ibiza:
- Spanish name of the island
- Spanish pronunciation with a hard “z”
- Catalonian pronunciation “z” becomes soft “th” or Ibitha
Eivissa:
- Catalonian and official name of the island
Ibiza Town:
- Island capital and one of five municipalities
Vila d’Eivissa or Vila
- Catalonian name for the island capital and municipality
Ibiza Town / Vila d’Eivissa divides into two main parts:
- Old Town or Dalt Vila (apt literal translation “Upper Town” with the narrow streets winding ever upward) and
- Eixample, the modern part.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
As someone with a lot of English friends, I have always heard the name pronounced “eye-BEE-zah,” which I’m sure the locals don’t appreciate. From the photos, it’s reassuring to see that there are great places to see for those people who aren’t part of the night club crowd.