About Corsica
Corsica is a wild, rugged, beautiful and unspoiled island. Corsica is only 180 km away from the French Riviera and is referred to as the Mountain in the Sea. Its highest point is Monte Cintu at 8,888 ft. (2710m).
Related Page: The Roman Province of Corsica
Corsica is one of the 26 regions of France. Strictly speaking, Corsica is designated as a "territorial collectivity" by law. As a territorial collectivity, it enjoys greater powers than other French regions, but for the most part its status is quite similar. Corsica is referred to as a "region" in common speech, and is almost always listed among the other regions of France.
Although the island is separated from the continental mainland by the Ligurian Sea and is much closer to the Italian than to the French mainland, politically Corsica is part of Metropolitan France. It was once briefly an independent Corsican Republic, until being incorporated into France in 1768.
Corsica Facts and Figures
- Official Name: Corsica
- Land Area: 3,352 sq miles (8,682 sq km)
- Population: 250,000
- Capital: Ajaccio (60,000)
Sights and Historical Buildings in Corsica
Corsica is full of history and hsitoric sites just waiting for tourists to discover them. Ajaccio is Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace, and the largest town and capital.
Naopoleon Bonaparte
Corsica is, of course, famous as 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.
Weather and Climate in Corsica
The island has a warm, temperate marine climate. From May to October, daytime temperatures usually exceed 21 Celsius (70F). However, during the summer months, temperatures in excess of 35 Celsius (95F) are not unknown. Sub-zero temperatures, while unusual, are not unknown during winter and spring.
The natural vegetation is Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and shrubs. The coastal lowlands are part of the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests ecoregion, in which forests and woodlands of evergreen sclerophyll oaks predominate, chiefly Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) and Cork Oak (Quercus suber).
The mountains are cooler and wetter, and home to the Corsican montane broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion, which supports diverse forests of oak, pine, and broadleaf deciduous trees, with vegetation more typical of northern Europe on the slopes of the highest peaks.
How to get to Corsica
To Corsica by Air
There are four airports on Corsica. Ajaccio, the Campo dell Oro Airport is the biggest followed by Poretta Airport, in Bastia. Calvi and Figari are two minor airports. Corsica is well connected via those airports.
Click here to see more information regarding airports in Corsica.
To Corsica by Sea
Several ferry companies have regular trips from France or Italy. Because of its proximity to Italy, the port of Bastia handles most of the corsicas maritime traffic traffic. Other ports on the island include Ajaccio, Calvi, Ile-Rousse, Bonifacio and Propriano.
Corsica Travel Videos
Much like Sardinia and Sicily it is hard to find excellent travel videos that feature Corsica exclusively, as most videos about Corsica are in general videos about France and have only a section for Corsica.
We tried hard to collect the most popular travel videos that feature Corsica (of course most are also available on DVD) and hope we have succeeded with it.
It is also important to look out for the right version of the travel videos, often travel DVDs from the USA do not work in Europe and Asia and vice versa.
Below you will find a selection of Corsica travel videos. We hope you find them as useful as we think they are.
An animated island, past and present, Corsica "always conquered, never subdued" has been successively Pisan and Genovese and has been French since 1768. It enjoys a special constitutional status. Mountain in the sea, Corsica is also called Island of beauty, not without reason. The diversity of its scenery, and its preservation from the aggressions of development and tourism, makes it one of the pearls of the Mediterranean sea. The places of interest to tourists in Corsica are various: Sea (beach, scuba diving, sailing), mountain (hiking, with the famous GR20).
Travel Videos About Corsica
- Globe Trekker - Corsica, Sicily & Sardinia - This stunning sixty minutes Travel Video about the islands Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily shows the best side of all three of them!
- Passport to Adventure: Magical Southern Corsica, France - Southern Corsica is famous for it's azure waters, white sandy beaches and the ancient villages built into it's limestone cliffs.
The island has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The natural vegetation is Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and shrubs. The coastal lowlands are part of the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic sclerophyllous and mixed forests ecoregion, in which forests and woodlands of evergreen sclerophyll oaks predominate, chiefly Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) and Cork Oak (Quercus suber). The mountains are cooler and wetter, and home to the Corsican montane broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion, which supports diverse forests of oak, pine, and broadleaf deciduous trees, with vegetation more typical of northern Europe on the slopes of the highest peaks.
The island has a natural park (Parc Naturel Regional de Corse), which protects thousands of rare animal and plant species. The park was created in 1972 and includes the Golfe de Porto, the Reserve Naturelle de Scandola (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and some of the highest mountains on the island. This park is protected and cannot be reached on foot, but sumptuous sails are available in order to discover unique landscapes. Two endangered subspecies of hoofed mammals, the mouflon (Ovis aries musimon) and Corsican red deer (Cervus elaphus corsicanus) inhabit the island; the Corsican red deer is endemic.
Corsica Travel Maps
When travelling to far away places it is always a good idea to inform yourself in advance regarding the locations you'll be visiting. Online maps for the destination of your choice are a good way to get the basic facts. It's essential to have a map of the region actually in your hands, and don't forget there won't always be a computer with online connection available, especially when you need it the most.
When to Buy Travel Maps
Give yourself plenty of time, as general tourists maps aren't likely to change that much over a short period. Waiting too long to order could be a problem even though shipping is pretty fast when ordering from the net, as glitches can occur (especially when dealing with international orders). You'd rather have the travel map a bit earlier than needed, as opposed to not having one at all at departure.
Road maps come in many shapes, sizes and scales. Inset maps may be used to provide greater detail for a specific area, such as a city map inset into a map of a state or province. Printed road maps commonly include an index of cities and other destinations found on the map; smaller-scale maps often include indexes of streets and other routes.
Try visiting your local book store or library to familiarize yourself with the major travel map brands. Each travel maps takes a slightly different approach to presenting the facts and figures, so find one that is right for you. Scan it for readability and ease of search. If you find the maps difficult to navigate or the information confusing, pick a different traveling map.
Travel Maps for Your Holiday in Corsica
- France: Corsica Map 528 (Michelin Regional France)
- Corsica [France] (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3315)
- Trekking the Corsica GR20
Corsica Travel Books
There are some great books available about Corsica, however there is not one alone that's perfect for all things regarding French Corsica! Therefore one has to carefully select the topic one would like to research/read about the beautiful Mediterranean island. There are excellent books about the history of Corsica like Feuding, Conflict and Banditry in Nineteenth-Century Corsica by Stephen Wilson, fantastic books about the art and culture like An Account of Corsica by James Boswell, or even books about food from the island like Recipes from Corsica by Rolli Lucarotti.
When you buy books about Corsica, make sure the book is specifically about the island of Corsica or at least it is the main topic of a broader theme (ie included in a book about France). There is nothing more annoying than to buy a book about a specific region but you get just an overview instead of indepth information on the subject of your choice. Make sure that you buy a book that's not too old (published date) because the travel information could be outdated. If possible buy a book that has a lot of pictures of the island. After all you would like to see as much of the place you are going before you arrive to help plan your trip. We collected the (in our opinion) best travel books about Corsica available. I hope you find the selection useful. Happy reading!
- Trekking the GR20 Corsica: The High Level Route: Guidebook and map booklet - Guidebook to Corsica's GR20, one of Europe's classic treks. Includes information about accommodation, refreshments, and facilities and a separate booklet showing the entire route on IGN 1:25,000 maps.
- The Rough Guide to Corsica - Superior comfort and quality at a price less than other foam, inflatable, or bean filled travel pillows. Don't overpay for lesser products you find at airport stores. The perfect companion for vacations, visits, or just lounging at home.
- Lonely Planet Corsica - Lonely Planet Corsica is your passport to all the most relevant and up-to-date advice on what to see, what to skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get to the heart of Corsica and begin your journey now!
- Walking on Corsica - Stunning photos from Corsica, easy-to-use maps, and all the information you really need. Total of 26 days spent on coastal routes through the rugged mountainous interior and the softer south, along with the exceptional coastal fringe.
- Corsica - Includes gentle strolls, urban tours and and serious hikes. Covers culture, history and language. Relaxes on the beaches and hidden bays, takes you through mountain scenery, offers an in-depth look at the customs, folklore, and historic aspects of Corsica.
