Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of France, and north of Sardinia. Corsica is one of the 27 regions of France. The island has an area of 3,367 km2 (1,305 sq mi) and a population of 322,120 (2012). The people of Corsica are called Corsicans. The capital and largest city is Ajaccio.
Corsica was once part of the ancient country of Etruria. In 238 BC, the Romans took control of the island and turned it into a province. The Roman Republic ruled Corsica until 1769 when the island became a French department under Napoleon Bonaparte. From 1814 to 1860, Corsica was again part of Italy but after a short war in 1859, it once again became French territory.
During World War II, Corsica was occupied by Nazi Germany but was liberated by Allied forces in 1944. After the war, many Corsican nationalists began agitating for independence from France but this did not happen until after a long campaign which ended in 1973 when autonomy was finally granted to the island.
Today, Corsica is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, mountains, and food.