Gorgona (Italy)

Gorgona

Native name: Isola di Gorgona
View of Gorgona from Livorno at sunset
Gorgona Show map of Tuscany Gorgona Show map of Italy
Geography
Location	Ligurian Sea
Coordinates	43°25′45″N 9°53′55″E / 43.42917°N 9.89861°E / 43.42917; 9.89861
Archipelago	Tuscan Archipelago
Area	2.23 km2 (0.86 sq mi)
Length	2.150 km (1.3359 mi)
Width	1.650 km (1.0253 mi)
Coastline	8 km (5 mi)
Highest elevation	254 m (833 ft)[1]
Highest point	Punta Gorgona
Administration
Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Livorno
Comune	Livorno
Demographics
Population	79 prisoners, 47 policemen, a few Officials of the italian Ministry of Justice and some other residents heirs of the old settlers (2012)
Pop. density	135/km2 (350/sq mi)

Gorgona (Italian pronunciation: [ɡorˈɡoːna]) is the northernmost island in the Tuscan Archipelago, a group of islands off the west coast of Italy. Between Corsica and Livorno, this diminutive island has been valued most for its wildlife, especially marine birds, and its isolation. The latter quality resulted in the foundation of Gorgona Abbey in the Middle Ages. After its closure the monastery grounds and buildings were appropriated in 1869, at the foundation of an agricultural penal colony, which is currently in use.