Córsega: coisas que você precisa saber

Córsega 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

O turismo desempenha um papel importante na economia da Córsega. O clima, as montanhas e o litoral da ilha a tornam popular entre os turistas. O turismo é particularmente concentrado na área ao redor de Porto-Vecchio e Bonifacio no sul da ilha e Calvi no 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

A Córsega ostenta uma história longa, cheia de acontecimentos e conturbada. Raramente governou a si mesma, frequentemente foi disputada. Os muitos poderes que conquistaram a Córsega a governaram sem consideração especial por seu povo ou sua prosperidade. Frequentemente foi negligenciada, considerada um remanso do Mediterrâneo e tratada com indiferença.

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

Os corsos têm orgulho de sua herança e têm uma "coisa" de se sentirem respeitados. Os corsos exigem respeito de visitantes não corsos; ofenda alguém por sua conta e risco. A França continental é chamada de "le continent", e tentativas de estrangeiros de se mudarem ou fazerem negócios são ressentidas.

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 trava uma guerra clandestina contra a França desde 1977. Desde então, o grupo assassinou autoridades políticas, matou policiais e atacou escritórios do governo francês com lançadores de granadas, bombas e metralhadoras.

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

Muitos corsos de todas as idades falam corso, uma língua cuja história é obscura. Placas na Córsega são escritas em francês e corso, mas na maioria, o francês foi pintado com spray. Escrito, o corso parece semelhante ao italiano, embora soe diferente ao ouvido. Muitos nomes são italianos na forma, com alguns pronunciados do jeito italiano, alguns do jeito francês.

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

A Córsega tem uma cadeia de montanhas, com numerosos ramos, atravessa toda a extensão da ilha e, perto do meio, eleva-se a uma elevação tal que a neve permanece nos cumes durante a maior parte do ano. O monte Rotondo e o monte d'Oro (de 8 a 9000 pés de altura) são cobertos com neves perpétuas. Esta cadeia de montanhas consiste, em parte, de rochas íngremes e é, em parte, coberta de florestas.

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 (existem vários pequenos aeroportos em toda a ilha) que leva menos de uma hora de Nice

2. You can hop on a Corsica Ferries boat, que custará aproximadamente € 450 ida e volta no verão (sem incluir uma cabine opcional, Wi-Fi ou refeições), e tão baixo quanto € 200 na baixa temporada, para dois passageiros com um carro. As balsas saem de Nice e de várias outras cidades ao longo da costa, mas não todos os dias, então certifique-se de verificar a programação e reservar os bilhetes com bastante antecedência.

A viagem dura 6 horas (de Porto-Vecchio em Nice para Bastia, Córsega ) e 7,5 horas de volta (de Ile Rousse voltar para 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 a 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.

A maioria das placas oficiais da ilha está escrita em francês e corso; embora os separatistas frequentemente pintem com spray o francês, e muitas estejam marcadas por buracos 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.