Sardinia
The island of Sardinia sits between the Mediterranean Sea to the south and west and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east. To its immediate north is the island of Corsica, which is a part of France. To the east of Sardinia is the middle of the Italian peninsula (not shown). Sardinia glows here with the green blush of spring.
Sardinia has had a tumultuous history. Starting in ancient times, the island was occupied by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans; thereafter it was controlled by Vandals, Byzantines, and a long string of rulers of Italian city-states. In the late 15th century, Sardinia came under the control of Spain, then in the early 18th century was passed to the Austrians. It briefly fell to Spanish occupation in 1717, but by 1720 was given over again to the control of Italian rule. This true-color Aqua MODIS image was acquired on April 27, 2003. Sardinia is politically a region of Italy.
Its official name is Regione Autonoma della Sardegna. Also enjoys some degree of domestic autonomy granted by a specific Statute. It is divided into four provinces and a metropolitan city, with Cagliari being the region’s capital and also its largest city. Sardinia’s indigenous language and the other minority languages (Sassarese, Corsican Gallurese, Algherese Catalan and Ligurian Tabarchino) spoken on the island are recognized by the regional law and enjoy “equal dignity” with Italian.
