The isle of Elba is the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago, the insular arch formed by seven islands and some smaller rocks off the Tuscan coast. Elba has an area of 223,5 square kilometres and is the third biggest Italian island. Although a small island in comparison with the much bigger Sicily and Sardinia, however Elba is a great island, for its rich natural characteristics, landscape, history and culture. With a length of 27 km from East to West and a width of 18 km from North to South, its irregular shape vaguely resembles a strange fish with a wide eastern fin.