Corsica | History, Map, Capital, Climate, Language, & Facts

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class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica">Corsica</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Corsica">Introduction & Top Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref253116"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Corsica#ref253116">Geography</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref253117"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Corsica#ref253117">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Corsica">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header 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href="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-050-6458CBA2/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/55385" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-004-264933B4/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg" alt="Montemaggiore" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-050-99BCA269/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/189635" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-004-C563C614/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg" alt="Bastia, Corsica" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-050-BF7D5EFD/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/227484" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-004-98944B9D/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg" alt="Corsica" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/33304" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg" alt="Paoli, Pasquale" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-050-D9DBE8AE/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/227477" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-004-7849A472/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg" alt="Ajaccio, Corsica, France" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/36/3036-050-9664D488/Carthaginian-empire.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/2642" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" 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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-authors-initial="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-title="Corsica" data-published-date="15 Dec. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=138780] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="Corsica" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica">https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=138780] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/138780"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fr-co.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">CRW Flags - Flag of Corsica</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30393118" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">BBC News - Corsica profile</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.visit-corsica.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Official Tourism Site of Corsica, France</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/fr-corsica.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">GlobalSecurity.org - Corsica, France</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/ItalyCorsica.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The History Files - Kingdoms of Italy - Corsi (Corsica)</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Corsica/273820" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Corsica - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Collectivité Territoriale de Corse, Corse</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written and fact-checked by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Corsica/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>French: </dt> <dd>Corse</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official name: </dt> <dd>Collectivité Territoriale de Corse</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Corsica"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is the official language of Corsica?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "French is the official language of Corsica and is spoken virtually by all Corsicans. " } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Which country is Corsica part of?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Corsica is a territorial collectivity of France and an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 105 miles (170 km) from southern France and 56 miles (90 km) from northwestern Italy, and it is separated from Sardinia by the 7-mile (11-km) Strait of Bonifacio." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is the capital of Corsica?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Ajaccio\">Ajaccio<\/a> is the capital of Corsica. The original settlement of Ajax was founded by the Romans 2 miles (3 km) north of the present site, to which the town was moved by the Genoese in 1492." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>How long have humans inhabited Corsica?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Remains of human occupation dating from at least the 3rd millennium BCE are evident in the many dolmens, menhirs, and other megalithic monuments that still stand on Corsica. The recorded history of Corsica begins about 560 BCE, when Greeks founded the town of Alalia on the east coast." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Who is the most famous person born on Corsica?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Napoleon-I\">Napoleon Bonaparte<\/a> is probably the most famous person born on Corsica. He was born at Ajaccio on August 15, 1769." } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is the official language of Corsica?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>French is the official language of Corsica and is spoken virtually by all Corsicans. </p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Which country is Corsica part of?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Corsica is a territorial collectivity of France and an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies 105 miles (170 km) from southern France and 56 miles (90 km) from northwestern Italy, and it is separated from Sardinia by the 7-mile (11-km) Strait of Bonifacio.</p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is the capital of Corsica?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ajaccio" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ajaccio</a> is the capital of Corsica. The original settlement of Ajax was founded by the Romans 2 miles (3 km) north of the present site, to which the town was moved by the Genoese in 1492.</p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="4"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>How long have humans inhabited Corsica?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Remains of human occupation dating from at least the 3rd millennium BCE are evident in the many dolmens, menhirs, and other megalithic monuments that still stand on Corsica. The recorded history of Corsica begins about 560 BCE, when Greeks founded the town of Alalia on the east coast.</p></div></div></div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="5"><h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Who is the most famous person born on Corsica?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3><div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Napoleon-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Napoleon Bonaparte</a> is probably the most famous person born on Corsica. He was born at Ajaccio on August 15, 1769.</p></div></div></div><button class="show-more-button js-toggle-top-questions btn btn-unstyled font-14 d-flex pr-10 rounded-sm"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></button></div></div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="156814" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/137710-050-92FE1A28/Corsica.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/156814"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/137710-050-92FE1A28/Corsica.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/137710-050-92FE1A28/Corsica.jpg?w=300" alt="Corsica" data-width="1600" data-height="1326" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/137710-050-92FE1A28/Corsica.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/156814">Corsica</a><span>Corsica (Corse).</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref46414"></span>Corsica</strong>, <em>collectivité territoriale</em> (territorial collectivity) of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/France" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">France</a> and island in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mediterranean Sea</a> embracing (from 1976) the <em>départements</em> of Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud. Corsica is the fourth largest island (after <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sicily" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sicily</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sardinia-island-Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Sardinia</a>, and Cyprus) in the Mediterranean. It lies 105 miles (170 km) from southern France and 56 miles (90 km) from northwestern <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italy</a>, and it is separated from Sardinia by the 7-mile (11-km) Strait of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bonifacio" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Bonifacio</a>. <span id="ref46417"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Ajaccio" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ajaccio</a> is the capital. Although Corsica is still commonly described as one of 22 <em>régions</em> of metropolitan France, its official status was changed in 1991 from <em>région</em> to <em>collectivité territoriale à statut particulier</em> (territorial collectivity with special status). The unique classification provides Corsica greater <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="autonomy" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomy" data-type="MW">autonomy</a> than the <em>régions</em>. Area 3,352 square miles (8,681 square km). Pop. (1999) 260,196; (2014 est.) 324,212.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref253116"> <h2 class="h1">Geography</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="55385" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-050-6458CBA2/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/55385"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-050-6458CBA2/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-050-6458CBA2/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg?w=300" alt="Montemaggiore" data-width="1600" data-height="1112" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/05/65205-050-6458CBA2/Mountains-Corsica-town-Montemaggiore-France-terrain.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/55385">Montemaggiore</a><span>Mountains surrounding the cliff-top town of Montemaggiore, Corsica, France. The terrain of Corsica is largely mountainous.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">For the most part, the terrain of Corsica is mountainous. About two-thirds of it consists of an ancient crystalline massif that divides the island on a northwest-to-southeast axis. Corsica has a cluster of 20 peaks exceeding 6,500 feet (2,000 metres). <span id="ref741248"></span>Mount Cinto attains an elevation of 8,890 feet (2,710 metres). The mountain silhouettes are very dramatic, and their granite rocks display vivid colours. The mountains descend steeply in parallel ranges to the west, where the coast is cut into steep gulfs and marked by high cliffs and headlands. To the east the mountain massif falls in broken escarpments to extensive alluvial plains bordering a lagoon-indented coast. In the northeast a separate and less-spectacular <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/orogeny" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">mountain formation</a> reaches heights not exceeding 5,790 feet (1,765 metres).</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Both the eastern and western watersheds are drained by seasonally torrential rivers that rise in the mountainous centre and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="cleave" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleave" data-type="MW">cleave</a> their way through impressive gorges in their upper reaches. The island’s principal rivers are the Golo, Tavignano, Liamone, Granove, Tarova, and Profiano. A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Mediterranean-climate" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Mediterranean climate</a> prevails on the coasts, where the average temperature is 51 °F (10.5 °C) in winter and 60 °F (15.5 °C) during the rest of the year. It is cooler at higher elevations. The average summer temperature at the southern coastal city of Ajaccio is 70 °F (21 °C). Precipitation is abundant, averaging 35 inches (880 mm) a year, though higher elevations receive somewhat more.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/islands-and-archipelagos" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/81/102281-131-26EFC52A/islet-reef-New-Caledonia.jpg" alt="Island, New Caledonia." class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Islands and Archipelagos</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Corsica’s vegetation is luxuriant. Much of the island is covered with a scrubby underbrush, or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/maquis-vegetation" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">maquis</a>, that is composed of aromatic shrubs, together with holm <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/oak" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">oak</a> and cork oak in the south. The flowers of the maquis produce a fragrance that carries far out to sea and has earned for Corsica the name the “Scented Isle.” Chestnut forests occur at slightly higher elevations, while the Corsican, or laricio, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/pine" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">pine</a> (<em>Pinus corsicanus</em>) dominates the higher elevations. In all, forests cover about one-fifth of the island.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref46416"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bastia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bastia</a> and Ajaccio, on the coast, are the largest towns and home to about half of the island’s population. In the early 21st century some four-fifths of Corsica’s population was urban. In northern Corsica the Balagne (once called the “Garden of Corsica”) is also densely populated. In contrast, sparsely populated rural villages, mostly situated at elevations between 650 and 2,600 feet (200 and 800 metres), have experienced much migration to the coast and to continental France. Despite a long history of emigration, there is overall growth in population, though many of the newcomers are retirees, which has led to a progressive aging of the population.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="189635" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-050-99BCA269/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/189635"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-050-99BCA269/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-050-99BCA269/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg?w=300" alt="Bastia, Corsica" data-width="1600" data-height="1138" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/32/177732-050-99BCA269/Bastia-Corsica-France.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/189635">Bastia, Corsica</a><span>Bastia, northeastern Corsica, France.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Corsica’s <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/standard-of-living" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">standard of living</a>, particularly in the interior, is lower than that of continental France. The island’s economic life is based primarily on tourism as well as the raising of sheep for ewe’s milk, which is used to make fine-quality cheeses, and the cultivation of citrus fruits, grapes (frequently with the aid of irrigation), and olives. Agriculture has been modernized along the eastern coastal plains. Industrial development is limited and focuses mainly on <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/food-processing" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">food processing</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Corsica has outstanding assets in its climate, scenery, and magnificent coastline, all of which promote tourism. The island’s network of paved roads is adequate, and a railway links Ajaccio, Bastia, and Calvi. Corsica is connected by air and sea with continental France.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=august-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref741249"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/French-language" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">French</a>, the official language, is spoken by virtually all Corsicans, most of whom also use the Corsican <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="dialect" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialect" data-type="MW">dialect</a>, <span id="ref886344"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Corsican-language" class="md-crosslink ">Corsu</a>, which is akin to Tuscan. The Corsu spoken in Haute-Corse and that spoken in Corse-du-Sud are distinguishable from each other. <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-Catholicism" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Roman Catholicism</a> is the dominant religion. Traditional <a href="https://www.britannica.com/art/folk-music" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">folk music</a> is performed by groups in the towns, and traditional handicrafts have been revived. Corsica also has many museums.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="marker h3"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref253117"> <h2 class="h1">History</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Remains of human occupation dating from at least the 3rd millennium <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span> are evident in the many dolmens, menhirs, and other megalithic monuments that still stand on the island. The recorded history of Corsica begins about 560 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>, when Greeks from Phocaea in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Anatolia" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Asia Minor</a> founded the town of Alalia on the east coast. Carthaginian domination followed in the early 3rd century <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>, until the whole of the island was conquered by the Romans in a series of campaigns from 259 to 163 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>. Together with Sardinia, Corsica formed a province of the Roman Empire, under which the island’s economy flourished. The Romans also implanted their language, which became the foundation of the present-day Corsican dialect.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A series of invasions and partial occupations by the Vandals, Lombards, and Arabs followed between 450 and 1050 <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span>, during which time the island’s towns were destroyed, their inhabitants driven inland, and the coastal agricultural lands abandoned. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Byzantine-Empire" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Byzantine Empire’s</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="nominal" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nominal" data-type="MW">nominal</a> suzerainty over Corsica from the mid-6th century was followed by the titular rule of the papacy from the mid-8th century onward.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD11 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="227484" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-050-BF7D5EFD/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/227484"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-050-BF7D5EFD/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-050-BF7D5EFD/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg?w=300" alt="Corsica" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/97/175497-050-BF7D5EFD/Ruins-tower-west-Genoese-Corsica-France-Ajaccio.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/227484">Corsica</a><span>Ruins of a Genoese tower constructed in the 16th century, west of Ajaccio, Corsica, France.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">In 1077 the bishop of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Pisa-Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pisa</a> was entrusted by the papacy with the administration of Corsica, and over the next two centuries more than 300 churches were built in Corsica under the Pisans’ direction. Corsica then became a bone of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="contention" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contention" data-type="MW">contention</a> between Pisa and <span id="ref46415"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Genoa-Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Genoa</a> (until 1284) and between Genoa and Aragon (from 1297 to 1434). Bitter struggles between the Genoese and Corsica’s native feudal <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="aristocracy" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aristocracy" data-type="MW">aristocracy</a> further decimated the population in the period 1434–53, after which Genoa was able to reassert its authority. A brief French occupation (1553–59) and a Corsican nationalist rebellion led by Sampiero Corso ended (1567) in renewed Genoese rule that lasted until 1729. Genoese rule, though by no means the worst in the island’s history, was <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="notorious" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notorious" data-type="MW">notorious</a> for its corrupt administration of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="justice" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice" data-type="MW">justice</a>, thereby encouraging Corsicans to resort to the private form of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="vengeance" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeance" data-type="MW">vengeance</a> known as the <span id="ref741246"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/feud-private-war" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">vendetta</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD11 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD12 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="33304" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/33304"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg?w=300" alt="Paoli, Pasquale" data-width="371" data-height="450" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/40733-004-0CEA7C0C/Pasquale-Paoli-detail-portrait-Henry-Bembridge-1768.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/33304">Paoli, Pasquale</a><span>Pasquale Paoli, detail of a portrait by Henry Bembridge, 1768.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A rebellion against Genoese rule in 1729 ushered in a period of turbulence and unrest that culminated in the establishment (1755) of a Corsican republic by the nationalist leader <span id="ref741247"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pasquale-Paoli" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Pasquale Paoli</a>. With Genoese control now confined to only a few coastal towns, Paoli organized the rest of Corsica as an independent democratic state and gave it a remarkably liberal constitution. During his 14 years of rule (until 1769), Paoli led the Corsicans in a great regenerative effort, repressing the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="vendetta" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vendetta" data-type="MW">vendetta</a>, founding a university and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/printing-press" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">printing press</a>, and building a Corsican navy. In 1768, however, the despondent Genoese sold their rights on Corsica to France, and French troops subsequently invaded the island in overwhelming numbers.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD12 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD13 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="227477" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-050-D9DBE8AE/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/138780/227477"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-050-D9DBE8AE/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-050-D9DBE8AE/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg?w=300" alt="Ajaccio, Corsica, France" data-width="1600" data-height="1213" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/175496-050-D9DBE8AE/Statue-Ajaccio-Napoleon-Bonaparte-France-Corsica.jpg" data-href="/media/1/138780/227477">Ajaccio, Corsica, France</a><span>Statue of Napoleon Bonaparte in Ajaccio, Corsica, France.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Some weeks after Paoli had fled to England, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Napoleon-I" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Napoleon Bonaparte</a> was born at Ajaccio on August 15, 1769. Corsica became a province of France that same year. Except for brief periods of occupation by the British (1794–96) and the Italians and Germans (1942–43), Corsica remained a French territory thereafter.</p><span class="marker MOD13 mod-inline"></span> </section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span><span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Adam-Augustyn/6394">Adam Augustyn</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":138780,"pageLength":1214,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.9"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.9' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"LARGE","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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