Problem #30: A Story of 1's and 2's

Write, side by side, the numeral 1 an even number of times. Subtract from the number thus formed the number obtained by writing, side by side, a series of 2s half the length of the first number. You will always get a perfect square. For instance,
1111 - 22 = 1089 = 332
Can you say why this is?
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