Sardinia, << sahr DIHN ee uh, >> is an Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. It lies west of the mainland of Italy and over 100 miles (160 kilometers) from it. The nearest land is the French island of Corsica, 9 miles (14 kilometers) north across the Strait of Bonifacio. Sardinia’s Italian name is Sardegna. It is second largest of the Mediterranean islands. Only Sicily is larger. Sardinia is about 166 miles (267 kilometers) long from north to south. It has an area of 9,301 square miles (24,090 square kilometers). This island and some small ones nearby form the region of Sardinia, which has a population of about 1,600,000.
Nine-tenths of Sardinia is mountainous. The only important area of lowlands is the southwestern plain. Human settlement in the mountains is difficult because the steep slopes and heavy rainfall produce landslides and floods. The agricultural improvement of the small areas of level land was retarded in places by swamps and elsewhere by lack of moisture during the hot, dry summers. These problems have been largely overcome by drainage projects and by irrigation. The most important agricultural products include almonds, grapes, herbs, lemons, olives, oranges, and wheat. Many goats and sheep are raised. Tunny and lobster are brought in to local fisheries. Sardinia is also one of Italy’s leading cork producers. Ancient mines still produce copper, iron, lead, lignite, manganese, silver, zinc, and other minerals.
Sardinia is divided into the provinces of Cagliari, Nuoro, Oristano, and Sassari. The city of Cagliari, at the south end of the island, is the region’s capital and its largest city. The Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) in northeastern Sardinia attracts many tourists.
Sardinia was invaded and ruled by first one power and then another. These included Carthage, Rome, the Vandals, Byzantium, the Muslims, the city-states of Pisa and Genoa, and Aragon. Sardinia preserves many ancient customs, traditions, and costumes. 
During World War II (1939-1945), Sardinia became an important airplane and naval base for Italy. In 1943, American planes smashed two convoys at Sardinia, and destroyed many airfields. American Flying Fortress attacks later damaged more Italian vessels in Sardinia. But the war made little permanent impression on Sardinia.
Since the war, the Italian government and the government of Sardinia have attempted to improve living conditions on the island. Large construction projects have made water and electric power more widely available. Many roads have been improved. Tourism has become an important part of the economy. Factories have been built, but unemployment remains a problem.
See also Sardinia, Kingdom of.
