The southernmost (43°25'37'' lat. North) and the smallest (2.23km²) island of the archipelago approximately 37km from Livorno, 40km from Capraia and 60km from Corsica. Boasting a coastal perimeter of a little more than 5km and a maximum height of 255m at the islands summit Punta Gorgona. The territory is hilly with the hills being steeper in the west than the gentler slopes in the east, and with three small valleys: the southernmost one descending into the sea at the small beach, at the inlet known as Scalo di Gorgona and the Village.

From a geological point of view, the island is characterized principally by ancient limestones, gneiss and mica schists and ophiolitic rocks.

Gorgona, included in the territory of the comune of Livorno, is populated by 300 people and has been the base of a penal agricultural colony since 1869

Protected Areas

• On land: 100% of the territory (mostly zone 1, partly zone 2)

• At sea: Nearly everywhere with the exception of a docking corridor at Cala Scalo, that is to be found between two areas of zone 2. The most part is zone 1.

In zone 1, it is forbidden to access, to sail, to stop, to anchor, to fish and to dive.

In zone 2, access, sailing, stopping, anchoring and diving are regulated by the Director of the Casa di Reclusione.