Tuscan Archipelago

{{Short description|Chain of islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea}} {{Infobox islands | name = Tuscan Archipelago | image_name = Elba litorale.jpg | image_caption = [[Elba]], the biggest island of the Tuscan Archipelago | image_size = | map_image = Tuscan archipelago.png | map_caption = Map of the Tuscan Archipelago | native_name = Arcipelago toscano | native_name_link = Italian language | nickname = | location = between [[Ligurian Sea]] and [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] | coordinates = | archipelago = Tuscan Archipelago | total_islands = 7 | major_islands = [[Elba]] [[Pianosa]] [[Capraia]] [[Montecristo]] [[Isola del Giglio|Giglio]] [[Gorgona, Italy|Gorgona]] [[Giannutri]] | area_km2 = 295 | highest_mount = [[Monte Capanne]] | elevation_m = 1,018 | country = [[Italy]] | country_admin_divisions_title = [[Regions of Italy|Region]] | country_admin_divisions = [[Tuscany]] | country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Provinces of Italy|Province]] | country_admin_divisions_1 = [[Province of Livorno|Livorno]], [[Province of Grosseto|Grosseto]] | country_largest_city = [[Portoferraio]] | country_largest_city_population = 12,007 | population = 34,389 | population_as_of = | density_km2 = 108 | additional_info = }} The '''Tuscan Archipelago''' (or '''Etruscan Islands''') is a chain of islands between the [[Ligurian Sea]] and [[Tyrrhenian Sea]], west of [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]].

The islands' proximity to several major cities has made them a favourite tourist location. History and literature have ensured that most people are familiar with the islands of [[Elba]] and [[Montecristo]].

Legends says the archipelago originates from a necklace that [[Venus (goddess)|Venus]], the Roman goddess of beauty and sensuality, lost while emerging from the Tyrrhenian sea. In this myth, the seven islands are the seven pearls the goddess was unable to retrieve.<ref>{{cite web |title=The islands of the Tuscan archipelago {{!}} Tuscan islands |url=http://www.travelingintuscany.com/engels/archipelago.htm |access-date=19 September 2019 |publisher=Traveling in Tuscany}}</ref>

==Geography== The Tuscan Archipelago lies between [[Corsica]] and the [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] coast and contains seven major islands ([[Capraia]], [[Elba]], [[Giannutri]], [[Isola del Giglio|Giglio]], [[Gorgona (Italy)|Gorgona]], [[Montecristo]] and [[Pianosa]]); all are protected as part of the [[Arcipelago Toscano National Park]]. The Archipelago extends {{convert|166|km}} from the northernmost island (Gorgona) to the southernmost (Giannutri) and {{convert|56|km}} from the westernmost (Capraia) to the Tuscan coast.

'''Main Islands''' (from north to south): {| class="wikitable sortable" !Island!!Area in km2!!Population 1 January 2016<ref>[http://demo.istat.it/pop2016/index.html Istat] Retrieved 29 March 2017</ref>!! Distance from mainland Italy |- |[[Gorgona, Italy|Gorgona]]||align="right"|2.23||align="right"|220||{{convert|18.6|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Capraia]]||align="right"|19.30||align="right"|415||{{convert|28.2|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Elba]]||align="right"|223.5||align="right"|32,290||{{convert|5.0|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Pianosa]]||align="right"|10.25||align="right"|10||{{convert|26.5|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Isola del Giglio|Giglio]]||align="right"|21.21||align="right"|1,442||{{convert|7.75|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Montecristo]]||align="right"|10.39||align="right"|2||{{convert|34.0|nmi|km mi}} |- |[[Giannutri]]||align="right"|2.60||align="right"|10||{{convert|6.3|nmi|km mi}} |- |Other||align="right"|3.34||align="right"|0|| |-class="sortbottom" |'''Total:'''||align="right"|292.82||align="right"|34,389|| |}

There are several islets in the archipelago including: {{div col}} *Cerboli (Piombino Channel) *[[Formiche di Grosseto]] (Grosseto) *Isola della Cappa (Giglio) *Isola Corbella (Elba) *Isola di Ortano (Elba) *Isola della Peraiola (Capraia) *Isola dei Topi (Piombino Channel) *Isole Gemini (Elba) *Isolotto della Scarpa (Pianosa) *Isolotto della Scola (Pianosa) *[[Palmaiola]] (Piombino Channel) *Scoglietto di Portoferraio (Elba) {{div col end}} and [[skerry|skerries]] as: {{div col}} *Faraglione del Giglio *Formiche di Capraia (Capraia) *Formiche della Zanca (Elba) *Isola dei Liscoli (Elba) *Le Scole (Giglio) *[[Meloria|Meloria Shoal]] (Livorno) *[[Scoglio d'Africa]] (Corsica Channel) *Scoglio Forano (Pianosa) *Scoglio del Gatto (Capraia) *Scoglio della Manza (Capraia) *Scoglio dell’Ogliera (Elba) *Scoglio del Remaiolo (Elba) *Scoglio della Triglia (Elba) *[[Vada Shoal Lighthouse|Vada Shoal]] (Vada) {{div col end}} Others islets and skerries that are not part of the archipelago: {{div col}} *Argentarola (Monte Argentario) *Isolotto di Porto Ercole *Isolotto dello Sparviero *Scoglio della Focacciola {{div col end}}

==Geology== [[File:Capraia, giro periplo 87 cala rossa 08.JPG|thumb|Capraia has a volcanic origin]] The Tuscan Archipelago represents a region of correlation between the [[Sardinia]]-[[Corsica]] block and the [[Italian Peninsula]]; it is formed by seven islands and several islets and skerries which have different geological provenance as [[magmatic rock|magmatic]], [[sedimentary rock|sedimentary]] and [[metamorphic rock]]s. The origin of the archipelago dates to the [[Triassic|Triassic period]] according to the type of the rocks.

In the [[Quaternary]] the archipelago was related to the sea level fluctuations due to the [[Glacial period|glacial]] and [[interglacial]] periods; in the [[Würm glaciation|last glaciation]] the [[sea level]] fell {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=off}}, and Elba became a [[peninsula]] joined to the continent and to Pianosa. The [[Würm glaciation]] was followed by a warming phase, and the sea rose slowly to reach its current level.<ref>[http://www.islepark.gov.it/conoscere-il-parco/nascita-arcipelago-toscano Archipelago Toscano national Park]</ref>

==Biodiversity== {{see also|Arcipelago Toscano National Park}}

===Fauna=== [[File:Ichthyaetus audouinii.jpg|thumb|left|[[Audouin's gull]]]] The archipelago is distinguished by some [[endemism|endemic taxa]] which are protected in order to avoid the loss of the [[biodiversity]] of [[fauna]] and [[flora]]. The most important are ''[[Oxychilus]] pilula'' of Capraia; and ''Oxychilus gorgonianus'' of Gorgona; ''[[Coenonympha corinna]]'', ''[[Podarcis muralis]] colosi'' and ''[[Vipera aspis francisciredi]]'' of Elba; and ''[[Vipera aspis hugyi|Vipera aspis montecristi]]'' of Montecristo. 31 species of mammals, several introduced, are known from the Tuscan archipelago, with the greatest diversity on Elba, with 24 species.<ref>Francesco M. Angelicii, Alberto Laurenti & Armando Nappo, A Checklist of the Mammals of small Italian islands, Hystrix It. J. Mamm. (n.s.) 20(1) (2009): 3-27</ref> The introduction of the [[Sus scrofa|wild boar]] to Elba several years ago has caused problems regarding the conservation of some plant species.

All the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are a place where the [[bird migration|migrant birds]] take a stop along their seasonal movement from north to south and vice versa; the favourite places are Gorgona, Palmaiola, Cerboli and Montecristo. The ''[[Falco peregrinus brookei]]'' nests on Elba and Capraia, the [[shearwater]] and the rare [[Audouin's gull]] are common on all the islands.<ref>[http://www.islepark.gov.it/conoscere-il-parco/nascita-arcipelago-toscano/fauna Fauna] Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano</ref> The archipelago has been recognised as an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports breeding populations of [[European nightjar]]s, [[Scopoli's shearwater]]s, [[European shag]]s, [[Audouin's gull]]s, [[Peregrine falcon]]s, [[Moltoni's warbler]]s, [[Marmora's warbler]]s, [[Dartford warbler]]s and [[black-eared wheatear]]s.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tuscan-archipelago-iba-italy|title= Tuscan Archipelago|author= |date=2022|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 11 December 2022}}</ref>

The rich productivity of the coastal waters provides habitats for various marine life, even dolphins and whales, including [[fin whale|fin]] and [[sperm whale]]s.<ref>Cori F.. 2016. [http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/allthingstuscany/aroundtuscany/animals-tuscany/ Wild Tuscany: a guide for animal passionates]. Retrieved on March 29, 2017</ref><ref>2013. Riproduzione riservata. [http://www.tenews.it/giornale/2012/10/13/pelagos-oggi-la-firma-della-carta-di-partenariato-all-enfola-45161/ Capoliveri diserta la cerimonia? Piombino lo sfida a un confronto]. Retrieved on March 29, 2017</ref><ref>2016. [http://www.quinewselba.it/marciana-marina-balene-e-delfini-vicino-capraia.htm Balene e delfini vicino Capraia]. Retrieved on March 31, 2017</ref><ref>2013. [http://www.tenews.it/giornale/2013/09/05/due-balene-avvistate-a-ridosso-dell-isola-di-capraia-49905/ Due balene avvistate a ridosso dell’isola di Capraia ]. Retrieved on March 31, 2017</ref><ref>2014. [http://www.elbareport.it/scienza-ambiente/item/10641-proteggere-un-tesoro-chiamato-mare-losservatorio-toscano-dei-cetacei Proteggere un tesoro chiamato mare l'Osservatorio toscano dei cetacei]. Retrieved on March 31, 2017</ref>

===Flora=== [[File:Rhamnus alaternus fruits 2.JPG|thumb|[[rhamnus alaternus|Mediterranean buckthorn]]]] The archipelago is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with high [[insolation]] all year round. The archipelago's flora differs from island to island; the smaller have a vegetation similar each other of ''[[Maquis shrubland|macchia mediterranea]]'' and [[garrigue]] formed by [[evergreen]] plants. Elba has a complex [[orography]] including the mountain [[Mount Capanne]] which favoured the preservation of the [[chestnut]], the [[Quercus ilex|holm oak]] and the [[Alnus glutinosa|black alder]] mostly on the northern side.

The main plant formations are those of [[shrub]]s of [[Erica (plant)|Erica]], [[arbutus unedo|strawberry tree]], [[broom plant|Genisteae]], [[Pistacia lentiscus|mastic]], [[Rhamnus alaternus|Mediterranean buckthorn]], [[myrtus]] and [[Juniperus phoenicea|Phoenician juniper]]; On Elba and Capraia the [[Quercus suber|cork oak]] is present, while the [[Pinus halepensis|Aleppo pine]] and the [[Pinus pinaster|maritime pine]] are widely spread on Elba and Gorgona.<ref name=Flora>[http://www.islepark.gov.it/conoscere-il-parco/nascita-arcipelago-toscano/flora Flora] Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano</ref>

The endemic species of the archipelago are ''[[Centaurea aetalieae]]'' (eastern Elba), ''[[Centaurea gymnocarpa]]'' (Capraia), ''[[Centaurea ilvensis]]'' (western Elba), ''[[Crocus ilvensis]]'' (western Elba), ''[[Limonium doriae]]'' (Formica Grande), ''[[Limonium gorgonae]]'' (Gorgona), ''[[Limonium ilvae]]'' (Elba), ''[[Limonium planesiae]]'' (Pianosa), ''[[Limonium sommerierianum]]'' (Giglio, Giannutri and Montecristo), ''[[Linaria capraria]]'' (all main islands except for Giannutri), ''[[Romulea insularis]]'' (Capraia) and ''[[Silene capraria]]'' (Capraia). Endemic taxa of lower rank are ''[[Biscutella pichiana]]'' subsp. ''ilvensis'' (Elba), ''[[Festuca gamisansii]]'' subsp. ''aethaliae'' (Elba), ''[[Mentha requienii]]'' subsp. ''bistaminata'' (Montecristo and Capraia) and ''[[Viola corsica]]'' subsp. ''ilvensis'' (Elba).<ref>Bruno Foggi , Daniele Viciani, Riccardo M. Baldini, Angelino Carta and Tommaso Guidi, Conservation assessment of the endemic plants of the Tuscan Archipelago, Italy, Oryx 49(1): 1-9 (2014)</ref>

==Islands==

===Elba=== [[Elba]] is a [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] island in [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]], {{convert|10|km}} from the coastal town of [[Piombino]]. The largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba is also part of the [[Arcipelago Toscano National Park]] and the third largest [[List of islands of Italy|island in Italy]], after [[Sicily]] and [[Sardinia]]. It is located in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]], about {{convert|50|km|-1}} east of the [[France|French]] island of [[Corsica]].

===Giglio=== [[Isola del Giglio]] is an Italian [[List of islands of Italy|island]] and [[comune]] situated in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]], off the coast of [[Tuscany]], and is part of the [[Province of Grosseto]]. The island is one of seven that form the Tuscan Archipelago, lying within the [[Arcipelago Toscano National Park]]. ''Giglio'' means "lily" in Italian, and though the name would appear consistent with the insignia of [[Republic of Florence#The Medicis' Florence|Medici Florence]], it derives from ''Aegilium'', "Goat Island", a [[Latin]] transliteration of the [[Greek language|Greek]] word for "little goat" ([[Ancient greek]]: ''Aigýllion'', ''Αιγύλλιον'').

===Capraia=== [[Capraia]] is an Italian [[island]], is the north-westernmost of the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago, and the third largest after [[Elba]] and [[Isola del Giglio|Giglio]]; it is also a ''comune'' (municipality) belonging to the [[Province of Livorno]]. The island has a population of about 400.

===Montecristo=== [[Montecristo]] is an island in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] and part of the Tuscan Archipelago. Administratively it belongs to the [[comune|municipality]] of [[Portoferraio]] in the [[province of Livorno]], [[Italy]]. The island has an area of {{convert|10.39|km2|abbr=on}} and is approximately {{convert|4.3|km|abbr=on}} wide at its widest point; the coasts are steep, and extend for {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}}. The island is a state [[nature reserve]] and forms part of the [[Tuscan Archipelago National Park]].

===Pianosa=== The small island of [[Pianosa]], about {{convert|10.25|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area, has a coastal perimeter of {{convert|26|km|0|abbr=on}}, forms part of [[Italy]]'s Tuscan Archipelago in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]].

===Gorgona=== [[Gorgona, Italy|Gorgona]] is the northernmost island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Between [[Corsica]] and [[Livorno]], this diminutive island has been valued most for its [[wildlife]], especially marine birds, and its isolation. The latter quality resulted in the foundation of [[Gorgona Abbey]] in the [[Middle Ages]]. After its closure, the monastery grounds and buildings were appropriated in 1869, at the foundation of an [[Gorgona Agricultural Penal Colony|agricultural penal colony]], which is currently in use.

===Giannutri=== [[Giannutri]] is a small [[island]] in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] off the coast of [[Tuscany]], [[Italy]]; it is the southernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago and it is a ''[[frazione]]'' of the ''[[comune]]'' of [[Isola del Giglio]] in the [[Province of Grosseto]].

==Islets==

===Formiche di Grosseto=== The [[Formiche di Grosseto]] ("Ants of Grosseto") is a group of [[islet]]s which emerge sharply in the Tuscan Archipelago. They are located in open sea among the coast of the [[Natural Park of Maremma]] and [[Pianosa]], approximately {{convert|13|nmi|km}} from [[Porto Santo Stefano]] on [[Monte Argentario]] and {{convert|9.4|mi|km}} from [[Marina di Grosseto]]; they are part of the ''[[comune]]'' of [[Grosseto]] and are placed in a [[nature reserve]] which makes part of a [[special protection area]].

===Palmaiola=== [[Palmaiola]] is an islet placed in the middle of Piombino Channel, at {{convert|3|km}} from Elba and {{convert|7|km}} from [[Piombino]]; it is part of the [[comune]] of [[Rio Marina]].

==Skerries==

===Meloria=== [[Meloria]] is a rocky [[skerry]], surrounded by a [[shoal]], off the [[Tuscan coast]], in the [[Ligurian Sea]],<ref>[http://www.marina.difesa.it/storiacultura/fari/Pagine/MarLigure.aspx Mar Ligure] Marina Militare</ref> {{convert|3.5|mi|abbr=off}} north-west of [[Livorno]].

===Scoglietto di Portoferraio=== Scoglietto di Portoferraio is a rocky skerry without vegetation placed in front of [[Portoferraio]]. It is a [[marine protected area]] since 1971, and from January 2014 it is a [[Site of Community Importance]]. The skerry is {{convert|150|m}} long and {{convert|124|m}} wide and it is placed at {{convert|1.36|km}} from ''Punta Capo Bianco'' and {{convert|1.14|km}} from ''Punta Falconaia''. On the islet is an active [[Scoglietto Lighthouse|lighthouse]].

===Scoglio d'Africa=== [[Scoglio d'Africa]]<ref>[http://www.marina.difesa.it/storiacultura/fari/Pagine/2096.aspx Scoglio d'Africa] Marina Militare</ref> (or Scoglio d'Affrica), also named Formica di Monte Cristo ("Monte Cristo's Ant"), is a solitary small [[skerry]] belonging to the Tuscan Archipelago located in open sea between [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] and [[Corsica Channel]]. It is located {{convert|18.5|km|mi|1|abbr=off}} west of the Island of [[Montecristo]], {{convert|23.5|km|mi|1|abbr=off}} south of [[Pianosa|Pianosa Island]] and {{convert|43.1|km|mi|abbr=off}} east of [[Corsica]]. Administratively it belongs to the [[comune|municipality]] of [[Campo nell'Elba]]. It is also part of the [[Tuscan Archipelago National Park]].

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" perrow="5"> File:Elba Enfola.jpg|L'Enfola, [[Elba]] island File:Elba-004.jpg|Scaglieri beach, Elba island File:Fetovaia01.jpg|Fetovaia beach, Elba island File:Casa di Napoleone.JPG|[[Napoleon]]'s house in [[Portoferraio]] File:Cala Giovanna Pianosa(LI)2.JPG|Cala Giovanna, [[Pianosa]] island File:Capraia Capra.jpg|Capraia main village, [[Capraia]] island File:Montecristo1.JPG|[[Montecristo]] Island File:Spiaggia delle cannelle.JPG|Cannelle beach, [[Isola del Giglio|Giglio]] island File:Giannutri runway.jpg|[[Giannutri]] coast File:Cala Spalmatoio.jpg|Cala Spalmatoio, Giannutri island File:Isola Gorgona 2.JPG|The village of [[Gorgona, Italy|Gorgona]] seen from the harbour File:Palazzo della Specola Pianosa (LI).jpg|Palazzo della Specola, [[Pianosa]] island </gallery>

==See also== * [[List of islands of Italy]]

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.islepark.it/index.php?lang=en Official '''Tuscan Archipelago National Park''' website] {{in lang|en}}

{{Portalbar|Geography|Islands|Italy}} {{Islands of Italy}} {{Tuscan Archipelago}} {{Tuscany}} {{Italy topics}} {{Regions of the world}}

[[Category:Arcipelago Toscano National Park|.]] [[Category:Islands of Tuscany|.Archipelago]] [[Category:Archipelagoes of Italy]] [[Category:Archipelagoes of the Mediterranean Sea]] [[Category:Ligurian Sea]] [[Category:Islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea]] [[Category:Important Bird Areas of Italy]] [[Category:Important Bird Areas of Mediterranean islands]]