Corsica - A Brief Overview
The island of Corsica is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea and is considered one of the 26 regions of France. Now there is a movement to claim some sort of autonomy from France if not full independence so this status may change over time. Notably this island is the birthplace of Napoleon but that is only one part of its vast history.
The history of Corsica goes way back to the Mesolithic era and this island has been a part of the major civilizations in the Mediterranean. This island has been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, as well as the Turks. Due to this mix of people and culture the food is a good representation of the cuisine of the area. You will find both examples of Italian and French food in a typical Corsican restaurant.
For the traveler it is noteworthy to point out the current state of affairs on the island. Because there is an active independence movement the acts of violence is higher then you would find in most of Europe. Acts of intimidation and kidnappings are quite common as well as the random bombing that is meant to shake the current administration and get the message across that these people want to rule themselves.
However if you are willing to brave the potential violence and possibility of getting caught up in the politics of the island there is much to see. As this is one of the largest islands in the area there are many beach towns and places that the locals relax. If you do choose to stay on the island then be sure to ask the locals what the best place to stay is. This will keep you safe as well as probably be less expensive so you can go out and do more things and really see the island.