Corsica: Landscapes and History of the French Island

Corsica, known as the Island of Beauty, features diverse landscapes including dramatic mountains, vivid blue waters, and towns perched on seaside cliffs. The island has a complex history of foreign domination, having been controlled by the Phoenicians, Etruscans, Romans, Charlemagne, and the city-states of Pisa and Genoa before being annexed by France in 1769.

This historical background contributes to a distinct cultural identity, where the Corsican language remains common and residents often distinguish themselves from mainland French. Notable locations include Bonifacio, a town built on a peninsula with high cliffs and a fortress, and Nonza, a village on the Cap Corse peninsula characterized by black schist cliffs and dark pebble beaches.