Ajaccio
Ajaccio (/ˈaɪətʃoʊ/, UK also /əˈdʒæ(k)sioʊ/, US also /ɑːˈjɑːtʃ(i)oʊ/; French: [aʒaksjo] ⓘ; Italian: Aiaccio or Ajaccio [aˈjattʃo]; Corsican: Aiacciu [aˈjattʃu], locally: Aghjacciu [aˈɟattʃu]; Latin: Adiacium) is the capital and largest city of Corsica, France. It forms a French commune, prefecture of the department of Corse-du-Sud, and head office of the Collectivité territoriale de Corse (capital city of Corsica). It is also the largest settlement on the island. Ajaccio is located on the west coast of the island of Corsica, 210 nautical miles (390 km) southeast of Marseille.
Ajaccio
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Prefecture and commune | |
From top, left to right: Port Tino Rossi, the promenade of Ajaccio, Ajaccio's Cathedral, Post office in Cours Napoleon, Maréchal-Joffre square with Napoleon's statue, Fesch Museum, Ajaccio's Citadel. | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Ajaccio | |
Ajaccio Ajaccio | |
| Coordinates: 41°55′36″N 8°44′13″E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Corsica |
| Department | Corse-du-Sud |
| Arrondissement | Ajaccio |
| Canton | Ajaccio-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
| Intercommunality | CA Pays Ajaccien |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2022–2026) | Stéphane Sbraggia |
| Area 1 | 82.03 km2 (31.67 sq mi) |
| Population (2021) | 73,822 |
| • Density | 900/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Ajacciens (in French), Aiaccini or Ajaccini (in Italian), Aiaccini or Aghjaccini (in Corsican) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 2A004 /20000 |
| Elevation | 0–787 m (0–2,582 ft) (avg. 38 m or 125 ft) |
| Website | http://www.ajaccio.fr/ |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
The original city went into decline in the Middle Ages, but began to prosper again after the Genoese built a citadel in 1492, to the south of the earlier settlement. After the Corsican Republic was declared in 1755, the Genoese continued to hold several citadels, including Ajaccio, until the French took control of the island.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Ajacciens (men) or Ajacciennes (women). The most famous of these is Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio in 1769, and whose ancestral home, the Maison Bonaparte, is now a museum. Other dedications to him in the city include Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport.