corse

Corse is the French name for Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean and a territorial collectivity of France. In French usage, corse (lowercase) is the adjective meaning Corsican; Corse (capitalized) refers to the island itself. The Corsican language, Corsu, is closely related to Italian and is recognized as a regional language alongside French.

Geography and administration: Corsica covers about 8,680 square kilometers, making it the fourth-largest island in the Western Mediterranean. It is divided into the departments of Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud, but since 2018 has been governed as the Collectivité de Corse, a single territorial collectivity. The island is mountainous, with a jagged coastline and peaks including Monte Cinto at 2,706 meters.

History and culture: Corsica has a diverse history, from ancient settlers to Genoese rule. In the 18th century it experienced a period of de facto independence under Pasquale Paoli, but in 1768 Genoa ceded Corsica to France. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio in 1769. Corsican culture features its own language, music, and cuisine, with brocciu cheese, figatellu sausages, and chestnut products common in rural areas.

Economy and environment: The economy centers on tourism, supported by a rugged landscape, beaches, and protected areas. Notable natural sites include the Scandola Nature Reserve and the Regional Natural Park of Corsica (Parc naturel régional de Corse), created in 1972. Prominent towns include Ajaccio, Bastia, and Porto-Vecchio; the GR20 hiking trail traverses the island.