Tuscan Archipelago
The Tuscan Archipelago is a chain of islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, west of Tuscany, Italy. The islands' proximity to several major cities has made them a favourite tourist location. History and literature have ensured that most people are familiar with the islands of Elba and Montecristo. Legends says the archipelago originates from a necklace that Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty and sensuality, lost while emerging from the Tyrrhenian sea. In this myth, the seven islands are the seven pearls the goddess was unable to retrieve. Geography The Tuscan Archipelago lies between Corsica and the Tuscan coast and contains seven major islands (Capraia, Elba, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo and Pianosa); all are protected as part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park. The Archipelago extends from the northernmost island (Gorgona) to the southernmost (Giannutri) and from the westernmost (Capraia) to the Tuscan coast. Main Islands (from north to south): There are several islets in the archipelago including: Cerboli (Piombino Channel) Formiche di Grosseto (Grosseto) Isola della Cappa (Giglio) Isola Corbella (Elba) Isola di Ortano (Elba) Isola della Peraiola (Capraia) Isola dei Topi (Piombino Channel) Isole Gemini (Elba) Isolotto della Scarpa (Pianosa) Isolotto della Scola (Pianosa) Palmaiola (Piombino Channel) Scoglietto di Portoferraio (Elba) and skerries as: Faraglione del Giglio Formiche di Capraia (Capraia) Formiche della Zanca (Elba) Isola dei Liscoli (Elba) Le Scole (Giglio) Meloria Shoal (Livorno) Scoglio d'Africa (Corsica Channel) Scoglio Forano (Pianosa) Scoglio del Gatto (Capraia) Scoglio della Manza (Capraia) Scoglio dell’Ogliera (Elba) Scoglio del Remaiolo (Elba) Scoglio della Triglia (Elba) Vada Shoal (Vada) Others islets and skerries that are not part of the archipelago: Argentarola (Monte Argentario) Isolotto di Porto Ercole Isolotto dello Sparviero Scoglio della Focacciola Geology The Tuscan Archipelago represents a region of correlation between the Sardinia-Corsica block and the Italian Peninsula; it is formed by seven islands and several islets and skerries which have different geological provenance as magmatic, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The origin of the archipelago dates to the Triassic period according to the type of the rocks. In the Quaternary the archipelago was related to the sea level fluctuations due to the glacial and interglacial periods; in the last glaciation the sea level fell , and Elba became a peninsula joined to the continent and to Pianosa. The Würm glaciation was followed by a warming phase, and the sea rose slowly to reach its current level. Biodiversity Fauna The archipelago is distinguished by some endemic taxa which are protected in order to avoid the loss of the biodiversity of fauna and flora. The most important are Oxychilus pilula of Capraia; and Oxychilus gorgonianus of Gorgona; Coenonympha corinna, Podarcis muralis colosi and Vipera aspis francisciredi of Elba; and Vipera aspis montecristi of Montecristo. 31 species of mammals, several introduced, are known from the Tuscan archipelago, with the greatest diversity on Elba, with 24 species. The introduction of the wild boar to Elba several years ago has caused problems regarding the conservation of some plant species. All the islands of the