Elba
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- For other places with the same name, see Elba (disambig).
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Elba is an island in Tuscany, Italy, 20 km from the coastal town of Grosseto. It is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, and the third largest Italian island. Elba and other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are protected in the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
The island is divided into eight communes: the capital Portoferraio, Campo nell'Elba, Capoliveri, Marciana, Marciana Marina, Porto Azzurro, Rio Marina and Rio nell'Elba.
History
Following the Treaty of Fontainebleau, French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to Elba when overthrown (the first time), inspiring the famous palindrome: "Able was I ere I saw Elba." Napoleon stayed on Elba for 9 months and 21 days, being given the title "Emperor." Although he was nominally sovereign of Elba, the island was watched (more or less) by British naval patrols. During these months, partly to pass the time and partly out of a genuine concern for the well-being of the people, he carried out a series of economic and social reforms to improve the quality of life on Elba. Napoleon eventually escaped Elba and returned to France on February 26, 1815. French troops landed on the island on June 17th 1944.
More recently, the island has become famed for its wine.
Apneist Jacques Mayol committed suicide here on December 22, 2001.
bg:Елба (остров) de:Elba (Insel) et:Elba fr:le d'Elbe id:Elba it:Isola d'Elba ja:エルバ島 nl:Elba pl:Elba no:Elba ro:Elba he:אלבה (אי)