Corsica information synthesis

Corsica is an island of the Mediterranean sea located at 160 km in the South East of the Riviera. It is a Territorial collectivity of the French Republic which is made up of

- 2 departments: South of Corsica(Cap. Ajaccio) and High Corsica (cap. Bastia)

- 52 cantons and 360 communes.

The population is of 280.000 inhabitants (Ajaccio: 50.000 H, Bastia: 40.000 H).

The Corsica language of origin Romance and close to Italian is spoken by part of the population.

From a surface of 8700 km ², the island extends from North to South on 183 km and from East to West on 80 km.

It offers 1000 km of coasts.

Corsica is a mountainous island which culminates to 2710 m with Monte Cintu.

The Climate is Mediterranean but the rains of altitude ensure the water resources.

The economic main resources are Tourism (2,5 million visitors/year) and Agriculture.

At the historical level, -

- Many prehistoric vestiges have testified to the presence of the man for 9000 years,

- Corsica was conquered by Rome (250 av JC), the traces of their passage are mainly in the city of Aléria. They will remain 700 years in Corsica.

- In 400, of the people coming from Germanic invade the Western part of the Roman empire, the Vandals destroy Aléria and take the control of the country.

- In 774, by donation of Charlemagne Emperor of Occident, Corsica becomes state-owned property Pontifical but Buckwheats (Moors) carry out invasions and destroy many villages. The Catholic religion extends and very many churches were built.

- In 1100, the Pope relies on Pisa to control Corsica.

- From 1400, it is Genoa which is essential in Corsica, the wars continue with the local population which resists and which takes for allied King d' Aragon.

- Following a general rising Corsica proclaims his independence in 1735 and is directed by Pascal Paoli.

- In 1768, Genoa “sells” Corsica to France.

- A war against France follows which gains in 1769, birth date of most famous of the Corsicans Napoleon Bonaparte.

- Since 1970, of the independantists movements re-appeared in Corsica but their influence within the population remains limited.

A word on the Corsican flag which is decorated of a head of Moor, it symbolizes the cut head of an invader.