Bastia

Bastia, the former capital of Corsica, is picturesque situated on the slope of a mountain, rising from the sea in the form of an amphitheatre, in the north-eastern part of the island, 95 miles NNE. of Ajaccio by rail. Its streets are narrow and crooked, its harbour still somewhat difficult of access, yet it has considerable shipping. Antimony-mining, boat-building, iron-founding, tanning, and coral-fishing are carried on; besides, there is some trade in oil, wine, and fruit. Pop. (1891) 22,895. Bastia was founded in 1383 by the Genoese Leonello Lomellino, and was the seat of the Genoese governors for 400 years. It has several times been in the hands of the English, who, under Admiral Hood, last captured the town in 1794, after an obstinate and protracted siege. When Corsica was divided into two French departments, it was made the capital of one; but when both were united in 1811, the seat of government was transferred to Ajaccio.