Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea that is counted as
one of the 26 regions of France (called Metropolitan France).
Not being located in mainland France, it is designated as a
territorial collectivity. Corsica is separated from Metropolitan
France, to which it belongs, by the Ligurian Sea. It was briefly
an independent state known as the Corsican Republic, before
being incorporated into France in 1769. The island covers 8,680
sq km (3,351 sq mi) and has a population of 302,000 (2011
estimate). Its capital is Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoléon
Bonaparte. Corsica has 1,000 kilometers of coastline. It
measures 183 km in length and 83 km in width. Corsica is a
mountainous island. It has more than 20 summits which are more
than 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in height. The highest peak on Corsica
is Monte Cinto, at 2,706 m (8,878 ft).