Elba / Isola d'Elba

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Population and economy

The possession of the iron-mines of Elba enabled the Etruscans to assert their dominance in Italy, and the mines were later worked by the Romans. Together with the tuna and anchovy fisheries and agriculture (fruit, vines) the working of iron was one of the island's main sources of income until 1982 when it finally came to a halt, most of the sites being exhausted.

Holiday resort

Elba's mild and equable climate, its great scenic beauty and the excellent conditions for scuba diving off its cliff-fringed coast have drawn increasing numbers of visitors to the island in recent years.

History

Elba belonged to Pisa from the 11th century onwards; then in 1284 it passed to Genoa, later to Lucca and in 1736 to Spain. After Napoleon's defeat in 1814 he was granted full sovereign rights over the island, and lived there from May third 1814 to February 26th 1815. Elba was returned to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany by the Congress of Vienna.