What is Corfu?
[[File:Corfu topographic map-en.svg|240px|right|thumb|Map of Corfu]] '''Corfu''' (or ''Kerkyra'') is the [[list of Greek islands|seventh]]-largest [[Greece|Greek]] [[island]]. It is in the [[Ionian Sea]] northwest of Greece. The island has a total area of {{convert|1540|km2|abbr=on}}. In 2001, 109,537 people lived on the island. [[Corfu (city)|Corfu city]] is the largest city on Corfu. == History == In ancient times, Corfu was a [[colony]] of ancient [[Corinth]]. This colony was one of the causes for beginning the [[Peloponnesian War]]. Later, the island became a part of the [[Roman Empire]]. It was also a part of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. The island has been controlled by many [[country|countries]]. In the thirteenth century, the [[Republic of Venice|Venetians]] took control of the island. They controlled it until 1797. During this time, the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] attacked the island two times. They attacked in 1537 and again in 1716. Under [[Napoleon|Napoleon's]] rule, the [[France|French]] took the island. They lost control of it to the [[Russian Empire|Russians]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]] in 1799. Control of the island was given back to the French in 1807 and in 1815 to the [[England|English]]. In 1864, the [[United Kingdom]] gave Corfu, with the other Ionian islands, to Greece. In the nineteenth century, the Empress [[Elisabeth of Austria]], also known as Sissi, built a [[palace]] on the island. The palace is known as Achilleion. The name of the palace comes from a [[statue]] of an ancient hero, [[Achilles]]. == Tourism == [[File:Palaio Frourio in Corfu.png|right|thumb|240px|The old castle of Corfu city]] [[Tourism]] is a very large part of the [[economy]] of Corfu. It is one of the most touristic islands in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Every year, many tourists visit the island. Corfu has many [[forest]]s and [[olive (fruit)|olive]] trees. It also has many [[beach]]es. There are many other places of interest on the island. The city of Corfu has an appearance from an older time. It has many [[Republ