It doesn't stand more than 25 or so metres above sea level, so when the sea gets brave, big waves jump one to the other side of the ring when the Tramontana wind blows hard from the north. What from the distance looks like bare rock with no more human presence than a lighthouse and a small grave yard is home of many birds including some rare and endangered ones. On the ground there are some shrubs and a few species of insects including a few endemic of the islands.

The islands were known long time ago as the snake islands, but none of them survived the fires set to exterminate them. Since ancient times they were used as a shelter for fishermen and a safe base for smugglers and pirates. The best treasure is kept under the water. Clean and crystalline like the air and boiling with life after being a military area for many years and declared afterwards marine sanctuary. Huge groupers, shoals of barracudas and giant size lobsters are common sight both inside and outside the caldera, being the channels that link the lagoon with the open sea the places where you find huge static fish floating in the current. I've personally been in Columbretes a couple of times both over and under the water and I've seen them a handful more times from the air. Every time I am surprised by the magic of the place and astonished to find so much life and beauty in such a tiny and distant place.

It was in the Second Spanish Republic in 1931 when Catalonia was first given autonomy as a region. During those years, Spain was experiencing a civil war, which led to changes in government and rule. But in 1979, Catalonia received its second chance at autonomy. According to the 1979 Statute of Autonomy and the 2006 amendment, Catalonia became recognized as a nation. It is now currently led by President Jose Montilla Aguilera of the socialist party of Catalonia.

Among the 17 autonomous Spanish communities, Catalonia ranks as 2nd in terms of population, with over 7.1 million residents. It also ranks 6th in terms of land area. The capital of the nation is Barcelona, which is well-recognized all over the globe as the site of the 1992 Olympics. Barcelona is also the most populated city in Catalonia, as there are more than 5 million residents in the area. As said earlier, the official language of Catalonia is Catalan, which is a Romance language that is also spoken in Andorra and some regions of France and Italy. Castilian and Spanish are co-languages in Catalonia. Among the sights to visit when vacationing in Catalonia are the museums, archaeological ruins, cathedrals, as well as the beaches and nature parks.