Córsica

Córsica is the French island in the western Mediterranean. With an area of about 8,680 square kilometers, it is the fourth-largest island in the region and features a mountainous interior, a long coastline, and numerous fortified towns. It lies off the southeast coast of France, to the north of Sardinia and west of the Italian peninsula.

Córsica is administered as a territorial collectivity of France. It comprises the historic provinces of Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud and has major urban centers such as Bastia and Ajaccio. Since 2018 the island is governed by a single collectivity, the Collectivité de Corse.

The island's terrain is dominated by granite mountains and deep valleys. Monte Cinto, at 2,706 meters, is the highest peak. The landscape includes maquis shrubland, forests, and a rugged coastline. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.

Córsica has a long history of independence and foreign rule. It was settled in antiquity and later controlled by Pisa and then Genoa. In the 18th century, the Corsican Republic emerged under Pasquale Paoli before Genoa ceded the island to France in 1769. Napoléon Bonaparte, born in Ajaccio, became a major historical figure.

Corsican culture retains its own language, Corsican, closely related to Tuscan Italian, and a traditional music and culinary heritage. The island is known for its crafts, distinctive architecture, and a strong regional identity.

Economy relies on tourism, agriculture (wine, olives, chestnuts), and services. The population is around 340,000, concentrated in coastal towns and larger cities.