Corsica. Korsyka, Corse |
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Because of the strategic position it occupies in the Mediterranean, Corsica has long been considered significant as a platform for military operations, particularly during the several centuries of violent conflict between Italy and France. During those times, possible unification with the neighbouring island of Sardinia was seen as a dangerous eventuality by many European states, because it would have given the ruler of the islands a dominant position in the Mediterranean Sea. The city state of Genoa held sway over the island for centuries before ceding Corsica to France in 1768 to help pay off a debt. An important figure in Corsican history is Pasquale Paoli (1725-1807), the Corsican general and patriot who struggled for Corsican independence, first against Genoa, then against France. It was essentially with him that the Moor's head ("Testa Maura") became Corsica's emblem in 1760, hearking back to the period when Corsica had been controlled by Moors (850 to 1034). Corsica is also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio, into minor Corsican nobility. Corsica was under French control at the time, and Corsican nobles were offered the ability to gain French titles if they could prove their genealogy sufficiently. In an attempt to do so, Napoleon's parents travelled to court in France, and, like many other Corsican nobles, sent their son to school there. |
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14. Photos 15. Anthem - sound file |
1. Dependency status: one of the 26 régions of France (territorial collectivity) 2. Government type: parliamentary democracy 3. Location: west of Italy, southeast of France, and north of the island of Sardinia 4. Border Countries: none (island) Number of islands: 6500, of which 65 are inhabited 5. Climate: mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters6. Terrain: Corsica has 1,000km of coastline and more than 200 beaches, as well as being largely mountainous, with Monte Cintu as the highest peak at 2710m and 50 other summits of more than 2000m 7. Area: 8722 km2 8. Capital: Ajaccio 9. Administrative divisions: The territorial collectivity is divided in two départements: Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse. Main towns: (Corsican names): Ajaccio (Aiacciu) - also known by its Latin name of Ajax, Bastia (Bastia), Corte (Corti), Sartene (Sarte) 10. Population: 272,000 inhabitians (2004) 11. Languages: French, Corsican 12. Religions: Roman Catholic 13. Currency: euro (EUR) |
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