Córcega: cosas que necesitas saber

Córcega is a wild island, in every sense of the word. Birthplace to Napoleon, Corsica is the least economically developed region in Metropolitan France. Compared with mainland France, Corsica is very sparsely populated. None of the towns on the island is large; even the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio, has a population of only 65,000.

The Economy

El turismo desempeña un papel fundamental en la economía corsa. El clima, las montañas y el litoral de la isla la hacen muy popular entre los turistas. El turismo se concentra especialmente en la zona de Porto-Vecchio y Bonifacio, al sur de la isla, y en Calvi, al noroeste.

Despite this, the French island has not had the same level of intensive development as other parts of the Mediterranean and therefore remains mainly wild and unspoiled, hence its given nickname the “Isle of Beauty”. This is mostly due to the local criminals who don’t want foreigners to buy land and scare them off by planting bombs in villas and construction sites.

Corsica has France’s biggest gap between rich and poor, its oldest population, its highest suicide rate and the worst education scores. Bankrolled by Paris and Brussels, Corsica is the most heavily subsidized region of France. Moreover, Corsicans are exempt from social security contributions and the island as a whole enjoys preferential tax status, with one-third of the permanent population employed in the public sector.

The Troubled History

Córcega cuenta con una larga, agitada y problemática historia. Rara vez se ha autogobernado, a menudo ha sido objeto de disputas. Las numerosas potencias que conquistaron Córcega la gobernaron sin especial consideración por su gente ni su prosperidad. Con frecuencia ha sido descuidada, considerada un remanso mediterráneo y tratada con indiferencia.

Its varied, multifaceted history has, however, left it with a wealth of treasures, including megalithic archaeological sites, impregnable fortresses, picturesque towns, gastronomic delights and rich cultural identity. Its inhabitants are proud of where they’ve come from, at ease with who they are and fiercely protective of their unique island home.

Aprender more about Corsica’s fascinating history.

The Deep Resentment of France and Foreigners

Los corsos se enorgullecen de su herencia y les encanta sentirse respetados. Exigen respeto a los visitantes extranjeros; ofender a alguien es responsabilidad propia. A la Francia continental se le conoce como "le continent" (el continente), y los intentos de extranjeros de instalarse o hacer negocios son motivo de resentimiento.

Nationalist sentiment is rooted in a deep personal love for Corsica and is expressed, at different levels, through the teaching of Corsican language (Corsu) in schools, or through spray-painting slogans on public signs and buildings.

The Crime Problems

Apart from being known as a natural beauty, Corsica is also home to an exceptionally violent separatist movement group known as the National Liberation Front of Corsica (FLNC), que ha librado una guerra clandestina contra Francia desde 1977. Desde entonces, el grupo ha asesinado a funcionarios políticos, matado a policías y atacado oficinas del gobierno francés con lanzagranadas propulsadas por cohetes, bombas y ametralladoras.

In addition to these types of attacks, the FLNC have frequently targeted hotels and vacation villas, as a warning to outsiders who choose to have residence on the island to leave.

The island is now well-known to be plagued by violent crime committed by organised gangsters (some of whom have been linked to the FLNC), who have been involved in illegal activities which have had huge impact on the islands construction industry, development and infrastructure endeavours.

The island has a population of only 300,000 people and yet it has a higher murder rate than anywhere else in Western Europe.... 41 times higher than the overall homicide rate found on mainland France.

Local law enforcement has found it increasingly difficult to prosecute offenders of the crimes committed due to a code of silence from the Corsican residents known as ‘omerta’. This is absolute silence and non-cooperation with the authorities. Some locals have been reported to have said however that it is through fear that they remain silent and not omerta.

Aprender more about crime in Corsica.

The Local Language

Muchos corsos de todas las edades hablan corso, una lengua cuya historia es desconocida. Los letreros en Córcega están escritos tanto en francés como en corso, pero en la mayoría de los casos, el francés ha sido sobrescrito con pintura en aerosol. Escrito, el corso se parece al italiano, aunque suena diferente. Muchos nombres tienen una forma italiana, algunos se pronuncian al estilo italiano y otros al francés.

Corsican music is also resurgent; in recent years musicians have fused modern melodies with traditional vernacular songs or church chants to create an evocative, contemporary folk music.

The Land

Córcega posee una cadena montañosa con numerosos ramales que recorre toda la isla y, cerca de la mitad, alcanza tal altitud que la nieve permanece en las cumbres durante la mayor parte del año. El monte Rotondo y el monte d'Oro (de 2.400 a 2.700 metros de altitud) están cubiertos de nieves perpetuas. Esta cadena montañosa está formada, en parte, por rocas escarpadas y, en parte, por bosques.

A number of small rivers, of which the Golo alone is navigable, flow easterly and westerly into the sea. Most of these frequently become dry in summer. The eastern coast is more flat than the western, on which are most of the inlets of the sea. The air, in many parts of the island, owing to the many lakes of stagnant water, is unhealthy. 

When to Visit

Corsica has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot. Winters are moderate, dry, and clear. Because of differences in altitude, Corsica’s climate varies from mountain to valley and coastlines. The North is hotter than the South; the East is wetter than the West. July and August are peak tourist times in Corsica. April, May, June, September, and October tend to be less crowded.

How to Get to Corsica

To get to Corsica you have two options:

1. You can fly via Air Corsica (hay varios aeropuertos pequeños en toda la isla) que tarda menos de una hora desde Nice

2. You can hop on a Corsica Ferries boatEl precio del viaje de ida y vuelta en verano es de aproximadamente 450 € (sin incluir camarote opcional, wifi ni comidas), y de tan solo 200 € en temporada baja, para dos pasajeros con coche. Los ferries salen de Nice y de varias otras ciudades de la costa, pero no todos los días, así que asegúrate de consultar el horario y reservar los billetes con antelación.

El viaje dura 6 horas (desde Porto-Vecchio). en Nice a Bastia, Córcega ) y 7,5 horas de regreso (desde Ile Rousse) volver a Nice).

While flying is faster, consider the time it takes go get to the airport, check-in, wait, and fly, then the added time and expense to rent a car on the other side. If you’re already on la Riviera francesa, we recommend taking a ferry with your car, as it’s a pleasant trip and you’ll need a car on the island.

La mayoría de los carteles oficiales en la isla están escritos en francés y en corso, aunque los separatistas a menudo tapan con pintura en francés y muchos tienen agujeros de bala.

More Things to Know

Bear in mind that among restaurants and many other businesses (even in touristed cities), a midday rest (la sieste), generally from 2pm to 5pm, is often respected.

To explore Corsica’s mountainous interior, a car rental (or arriving via ferry with your own car) is your best option. The Napoleon Bonaparte Airport in Ajaccio has many international companies to choose from, including Hertz, Avis and Europcar. If you need a car with an automatic transmission, be sure to book far in advance, as most companies have a limited supply. Many roads require a 4-wheel-drive SUV, but are also narrow, so try to book a small 4-wheel-drive SUV.

While you’re on the beach or driving, watch out for wild animals. Cows regularly sunbathe on the beaches and while they are cute, they are wild and will chase you if they feel threatened. Animals (including pigs, goats, sheep, horses and cows) on the windy roads sometimes cause accidents with careless drivers, so drive slowly and cautiously.

It is essential that you download offline maps (you can do this on Google Maps) before exploring the interior, where cellular service can be unreliable.

There are an almost shocking number of nudist (“naturist”) areas and nudist resorts on the island. You’re likely to accidentally stumble upon one, so consider yourself warned. Expect to get glared at if you’re on the beach and not 100% nude, as “nakedness is compulsory on the beach, at the swimming-pools, and strongly recommended throughout the resort village.” Amazingly, they’re known as family and kid-friendly.