El enlace geodésico de las Islas Baleares con el continente (1867-1885)

Abstract

Over time, the excellence of the Balearic link sponsored by the Bureau des Longitudes was questioned to such an extent that when it was critically analysed, it became clear that it should be optimised. There were three features that could be improved: including the island of Menorca in the triangular network, controlling its scale with a geodesic base located near the southern end of the arc, and strengthening the link itself by introducing quadrilaterals in the project in which its two diagonals could be observed. This was precisely the approach followed by Carlos Ibáñez e Ibáñez de Ibero, when he decided to become involved in the geodetic project of the Balearic Islands, one of the most important tasks he undertook after being appointed Head of the Geodetic and Cadastral District of Levante. Such was his interest in the link that on 11th October 1864 he made his proposal and on 22nd February 1865 work began.