# Bastia

> French commune, city and prefecture of Haute-Corse, Corsica

**Wikidata**: [Q134698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134698)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bastia

## Summary
Bastia is a French commune, city, and the prefecture of the Haute-Corse department located on the island of Corsica. It serves as a significant administrative hub, hosting the headquarters of major political coalitions and transportation companies, and is characterized by a rich cultural landscape including historical religious sites and sports clubs.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: French commune, city, and prefecture.
- **Location**: Haute-Corse, Corsica, France.
- **Coordinates**: 42.7°N, 9.4494444444444°E.
- **Website**: https://www.bastia.corsica/
- **Alias**: Bastìa.
- **Administrative Divisions**:
  - Arrondissement of Bastia.
  - Cantons: Bastia-2, Bastia-3, Bastia-4, Bastia-6 (all incepted 2015-03-22).
- **Population Figures**: 43331.0, 44355.0, 45596.0, 45715.0, 48044.0, 38746.0, 42810.0, 44020.0, 37845.0, 37884.0, 43577.0, 42912.0, 48503.0, 48296.0, 48768.0, 47459.0, 46867.0.
- **Religious Sites**:
  - Oratoire Saint-Roch de Bastia.
  - Église Sainte-Croix de Bastia.
  - Beth Meir Synagogue (incepted 1934).
  - Bastia Cathedral (pro-cathedral).
  - église de la Conception de Bastia.
- **Sports**:
  - SC Bastia (ÉF Bastia) (incepted 1919-09-15).
  - CA Bastia (incepted 1920).
- **Politics**:
  - Pè a Corsica (coalition, incepted 2015).
  - Corsica Libera (party, incepted 2009-02-01).
  - Femu a Corsica (party, incepted 2010/2017).
- **Transportation**:
  - Bastia railway station.
  - Bastia – Poretta Airport.
  - Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries (HQ in Bastia, incepted 1967).
- **Events**: Host for the 2024 Summer Olympics torch relay.
- **Related Historical Entities**: Golo (former department, 1793–1811), Anglo-Corsican Kingdom.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Bastia?**
Bastia is a commune and city that serves as the prefecture of the Haute-Corse department in Corsica. It is also the seat of the arrondissement of Bastia and several cantons, including Bastia-2, Bastia-3, Bastia-4, and Bastia-6.

**What are the key religious and cultural landmarks in Bastia?**
The city contains several notable religious sites, including the Bastia Cathedral (pro-cathedral), the Oratoire Saint-Roch, the Église Sainte-Croix, the église de la Conception, and the Beth Meir Synagogue, which was established in 1934.

**Which sports clubs are based in Bastia?**
Bastia is home to two prominent football clubs: SC Bastia (also known as ÉF Bastia), founded on September 15, 1919, and CA Bastia, which was established in 1920.

**What political organizations are headquartered in Bastia?**
Several political entities have their headquarters in Bastia, including the Corsican coalition Pè a Corsica (founded in 2015), the left-wing nationalist party Corsica Libera (founded in 2009), and the Femu a Corsica party.

**How is Bastia connected to regional and international transport?**
Bastia is a transport hub featuring the Bastia railway station and the nearby Bastia – Poretta Airport. It is also the headquarters of Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries, a ferry company operating since 1967.

## Why It Matters
Bastia holds significant importance as the administrative capital of Haute-Corse, anchoring the northern region of Corsica. It functions as a critical political center for Corsican nationalism and regional governance, housing major parties like Pè a Corsica and Corsica Libera. Economically, the city serves as a vital logistical gateway for the island, hosting the headquarters of a major ferry operator and essential rail infrastructure. Its cultural heritage, preserved through sites like the Bastia Cathedral and the historic Beth Meir Synagogue, adds to its distinct identity. Additionally, its selection as a stop for the 2024 Summer Olympics torch relay underscores its national profile.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Capital**: Serving as the prefecture of the Haute-Corse department since its inception in 1976.
- **Political Headquarters**: Hosting the central offices for major Corsican political movements, including Pè a Corsica and Femu a Corsica.
- **Transport Hub**: Acting as the base for Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries and possessing a key railway station.
- **Sports Heritage**: Being the home city of SC Bastia, a football club established in 1919.
- **Olympic Connection**: Being a designated host city for the official torch relay of the 2024 Summer Olympics.
- **Religious Diversity**: Featuring the Beth Meir Synagogue alongside multiple historic Catholic churches.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Bastia is situated in the Haute-Corse department on the island of Corsica, with coordinates at 42.7° latitude and 9.45° longitude. As a French commune, it operates under the administrative framework of the arrondissement of Bastia. The city is subdivided into several cantons, including Bastia-2, Bastia-3, Bastia-4, and Bastia-6, all of which were established on March 22, 2015. Historically, the region was part of the former department of Golo, which existed from 1793 to 1811, and has connections to the short-lived Anglo-Corsican Kingdom.

### Demographics
The population of Bastia has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures including 37,845, 37,846, 38,746, 42,810, 43,331, 43,577, 44,020, 44,355, 45,596, 45,715, 46,867, 47,459, 48,034, 48,296, 48,503, and 48,768. These variations reflect the dynamic demographic changes within the commune.

### Religious and Cultural Landmarks
The city hosts a diverse array of religious architecture. The Bastia Cathedral serves as the pro-cathedral of the region. Other significant Catholic sites include the Oratoire Saint-Roch de Bastia, the Église Sainte-Croix de Bastia, and the église de la Conception de Bastia. The Beth Meir Synagogue, established in 1934, represents the Jewish community's historical presence in the city.

### Sports
Bastia has a strong sporting tradition, particularly in football. The SC Bastia (ÉF Bastia) club, founded on September 15, 1919, is a prominent team headquartered in the city. Another major association football club, CA Bastia, was established in 1920 and also maintains its headquarters in Bastia.

### Political Landscape
The city is a focal point for Corsican political activity. The Pè a Corsica coalition, founded in 2015, uses Bastia as its headquarters. The Femu a Corsica political party, with inceptions noted in 2010 and 2017, is also based here. Additionally, the left-wing nationalist party Corsica Libera, established on February 1, 2009, operates from Bastia.

### Transportation and Economy
Transport infrastructure is vital to Bastia's economy. The Bastia railway station provides rail connectivity, while the Bastia – Poretta Airport serves air travel needs. The city is the headquarters of Corsica Ferries - Sardinia Ferries, a ferry company founded in 1967 that operates between France and Italy.

### Events
Bastia was selected as a location for the official torch relay of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, highlighting its role in international sporting events.

### National Context: France
Bastia is part of the French Republic, a country located primarily in Western Europe with overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. France operates as a semi-presidential republic and is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

#### Geography and Territory
France encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometres. Metropolitan France shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. The country possesses numerous overseas territories, including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Mayotte. The highest point in France is Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters), and the lowest is Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters).

#### Government and Politics
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution of the Fifth Republic was established in 1958. The executive branch is shared between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.

#### Demographics and Society
As of January 1, 2025, France has an estimated population of 68,605,616. The official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, and Breton are recognized. The age of majority is 18, and compulsory education is required for children aged 6 to 16.

#### Economy and Finance
France has a mixed economy with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022). The currency is the Euro (€) in metropolitan France and the CFP Franc in overseas territories. The standard VAT rate is 20%, and the government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion.

#### Infrastructure and Standards
The country drives on the right-hand side of the road. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

#### Symbols and Culture
The national flag is the tricolore (blue, white, red), and the motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité." The national anthem is "La Marseillaise." Public holidays include Bastille Day (July 14) and Christmas (December 25).

#### International Relations and History
France is a member of NATO, the G7, the G20, and the Schengen Area. It possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960. Historically, the origins of the French state trace back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/4316069)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
16. Populations légales 2019
17. Populations légales 2020
18. Populations légales 2021
19. Populations de référence 2022
20. Populations de référence 2023
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
24. GeoNames
25. BBC Things
26. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
27. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
28. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
29. YouTube API