Bastia, city, southeastern France, capital of Haute-Corse Department, a port on the northeastern coast of the island of Corsica. It is a commercial, manufacturing, fishing, and wine-exporting center; products include processed food and tobacco items. Settled in the 14th century by the Genoese, who built a fortress to protect it, Bastia was the capital of the island until 1791. The city was held by the British in 1745 during the War of the Austrian Succession, but was soon recaptured by the Genoese, who sold the entire island to France in 1768. It was occupied by the British again from 1794 to 1796, during the French Revolution. The Germans held the city in 1942-43, during World War II. Population (1999) 37,884.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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