Isle of Elba

See also: Elba

The isle of Elba is largest island of the Archipel of Toscane with 224 km ² of surface and 147 km of coasts. Long 29 km and broad 18,5 km, it is located between the Corsica and the Toscane, at the border between the seas Ligure and Tyrrhénienne. It is separated from the Italian continent by the Canal of Piombino, broad of ten kilometers. It is a site protected like the other islands from the Archipel Tuscan.

It offers very varied landscapes, forests of beeches and pines, vineyards and orchards, splits of fine sand broods to the foot of abrupt cliffs. The island comprises eight communes (Portoferraio, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Campo nell' Elba, Rio Marina, Rio nell' Elba, Capoliveri, Oporto Azzurro) and belonged to the Province of Leghorn. Its culminating point, the Assembles Capanne (1019 m), dominates the village of Marciana. Portoferraio - name of the Fer that the Étrusque S exploited, then the Romains - with: 10000 inhabitants, on an insular population of surroundings: 28000 inhabitants, is his greater agglomeration and its most important port.

Giannutri preserves the vestiges of a Roman villa, with the mosaic rich person.

Marina di Campo, located at the south-west of the island on the commune of Campo nell' Elba, offers a beautiful sand beach end and a small airport (Crushed It).

History

The island coveted for its high content in iron ore belonged successively to the Étrusque S, with the Carthaginois, the Phocée NS, then with the Romains.

Possession pisane at the 11th century, then gênoise in 1290, it belonged to the Royaume of Naples in 1736, after having been a possession of the Médicis. Annexed by the France in 1802 (senatus consult of the 26-08-1802), integrated into the department of the Mediterranean in 1811, it was given in all sovereignty to Napoleon {{Ier}} in 1814 (according to the Traité of Fontainebleau of April 11th, 1814) and he was exiled there during three hundred days. One finds there the Villa Napoleonica of San Martino, his residence of summer, and the Palazzina dei Mulini become the museum and the Napoleon library. The reign inhabitant of Elba of the Napoleon emperor is the least known episode of the epopee. The island was during three hundred days the center of all the interests where officers and privates in search of an employment flowed, representatives of the foreign armies to supervise the ex-Emperor, spies of all edges come to deliver or assassinate Napoleon, foreigners curious to approach that which reigned on Europe one year before. Napoleon benefitted from this court reigns to reform and modernize the island. He opens roads, modifies the right, deals with town planning and of architecture, instigates the economy, etc This episode is known for us thanks to the detailed account of Pons of Herault, administrator of the mines of Rio Marina.

Napoleon remained there until his return in France (Hundred Days), the February 26th 1815. She became Italy in 1860.

From June 17th to June 19th 1944, the German garrison was attacked and overcome by the French troops of the general De Lattre de Tassigny come from Bastia (Operation Arm-band) including/understanding almost the totality of manpower of the 9 {{E}} division of colonial Infantry, of the Moroccan Tabors, the Senegalese Tirailleurs and a group of commandos was illustrated there. According to testimonys, exactions were made.

Personalities

the apneist Jacques Mayol gave itself death in December 2001 in its residence of Capoliveri.
Pons of Herault, opponent with Napoleon I {{er}}, sent in 1809 to manage the iron mines of the island. It reformed this establishment completely. Good manager, his concern of the dialog with the workmen and the social progress did of them one of the most popular characters of the island, at the point to make shade with Napoleon. For the workmen, it was " nostro babbo" (our father). One owes him the most alive account and most complete on the reign inhabitant of Elba of Napoleon, that is to say Souvenirs and Anecdotes (modern publication by Christophe Bourachot, free editors, 2005).

External bonds

the isle of Elba on Google Maps
http://elbe.activebb.net/ a French forum

Simple: Elba

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