Bill Toscarelli, age 14, of Bennington, Vt., for his question:

HOW MANY BALEARIC ISLANDS ARE THERE?

The Balearic islands are a group of four large islands and 11 islets. Together they form the Spanish province of Baleares. They are located in the Mediterranean, south of eastern Spain. They stretch a distance of 180 miles.

The ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and others who traded in the western Mediterranean used the islands in the olden days. When the Moors ruled Spain, the islands were headquarters for pirates.

The four large islands are Majorca, Minorca, Iviza and Formentera. Majorca is the largest island and on it live more than three fourths of the province's population. Palms, on Majorca, is the provincial capital and the largest city in the islands.

During the winter, the islands offer an excellent place for tourists because the climate is excellent. There isn't too much rainfall, either.

Oranges and apricots are grown on much of the land. Also important is the raising of sheep for meat and wool.