| Corsica measures only 133 miles long and fifty miles
wide. But its terrain varies greatly, with mountains and plains fighting
each other for space, giving you the impression that the island is much
larger. The Greeks called the island Kalliste, which means most beautiful.
Corsica's advantageous geographic location has caused republics to battle
over the small island for centuries. Located just one hundred miles south of
France and fifty miles west of Italy, Corsica has seen its share of rulers
over the years. The island was ruled by the city-states of Genoa and Pisa,
before the French gained control. Corsica's language, an complex mix of
French, Italian, and Latin, reflects these changes.
Bonifacio is on the southern tip of Corsica, less than ten miles from
Sardinia, which is an Italian territory. Sardinia remained the property of
Genoa longer than the rest of the island, and as a result, there is more of
a Genovese feeling here than elsewhere on Corsica, including the language,
which more closely resembles Italian than French, or even Corsican.
The stunning views from Bonifacio are alone worth the trip to Corsica. On
clear days you can watch the water breaking against the Sardinian coastline,
and the beaches with their crystal clear turquoise water are the perfect
place to lie back, relax, forget your cares and enjoy yourself. |
