Bonifacio
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other meanings, see Bonifacio (disambiguation).
Commune of Bonifacio View of the harbor of Bonifacio |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Région | Corse |
| Département | Corse-du-Sud |
| Arrondissement | Sartène |
| Canton | Bonifacio |
| Mayor | Jean-Baptiste Lantieri |
| Statistics | |
| Land area¹ | 139 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
2,660 |
| - Density (1999) | 19/km² |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Postal code | 20169 |
| ¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq. mi. or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| ² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel). | |
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Bonifacio (Bunifaziu in Corsican) is a town and commune near the southern tip of the island of Corsica, in the département of Corse-du-Sud, France. Its inhabitants are called Bonifaciens.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Bonifacio is located directly on the Mediterranean Sea, separated from Sardinia by the Strait of Bonifacio.
[edit] Sights
Bonifacio is split into two sections. The vieille ville (old town), or la Haute Ville (the Upper city), on the site of a 9th century citadel, is located on a peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the inhabitants reside in the Haute ville, including the town's most famous inhabitant, Marie-José Nat. The harbor below, la marine which is at the end of a fjord-like inlet that provides a natural harbor, is a port for a large number of fishing and tourist boats.
The town's charm and proximity to idyllic beaches makes it a popular tourist destination in the summer, predominantly for residents of mainland France. Bonifacio is also a gateway to the small Isles Lavezzi (Lavezzi Islands), which are the southernmost part of France, and have been designated a marine preserve by the French government.
[edit] Transportation
The town is served by Figari airport (car or taxi required), and ferry service to Sardinia is available multiple times daily.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Bonifacio was the birthplace of Tommaso Maria Zigliara (1833-1893), Roman Catholic cardinal, theologian, and philosopher.
