INTRODUCTION 113 



inhabitants per square kilometre (0.3861 square mile) as com- 

 pared with 73 for France), still the impossibility of controlling 

 fires and grazing has practically dictated the character of the 

 silvicultural measures in force. 



These will be taken up in detail, but before considering the 

 present administration and forest management, a word about 

 Corsica's climate and topography. 



Situation. The island is situated 7 between 43 o' 42" and 

 41 21' 4" north latitude and between 6 n' 47" and 7 n' 6" 

 east longitude. 



Area and Topography. It is 183 kilometres (113 miles) long 

 by 84 (52 miles) wide with a double mountain chain running 

 along its length. Its total area is 872,182 hectares (2,155,161 

 acres) with 490 kilometres (304 miles) of coast line. The moun- 

 tains are abrupt and often precipitous; because of their rapid 

 descent, a drainage by torrents, rather than by rivers. The 

 east coast is level with areas of alluvial plains, but the west 

 coast is rocky and cut by bays. Monte Cinto, in the north- 

 west quarter of the island, rises to 2709.5 metres (8890 feet) 

 elevation. The prevailing rock is grey granite which disinte- 

 grates slowly. There is considerable limestone at the lower 

 elevations. 



Climate. Paul Joanne gives three climatic zones: 8 (i) 

 The maritime zone, extending to 580 metres (1903 feet) with an 

 estimated rainfall of 700 to 900 millimetres (27 to 35 inches) 

 at Ajaccio; rarely below o C. (32 F.) and never over 33 C. 

 (91 F.) of heat. ' 



(2) A hill zone extending to 1750 metres (5741 feet) with 

 4 metres (13 feet) of snow in the winter, at an elevation of 

 1162 metres (3812 feet) at Vizzavona. 



(3) An Alpine zone, with 8 months of winter; the hot and 

 dry fire season extends from May to September. 



The Forests. Most of the easily accessible areas, formerly 

 forested, are now covered with dense brush locally known as 

 "maquis"; written "macchie" by the natives. The valuable 



7 Geographic du departement de la Corse par Paul Joanne, sixieme edition. 



8 Compare with forest zones, p. 115. 



