Pianosa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Pianosa

Geography
Location	Ligurian Sea
Archipelago	Tuscan Archipelago
Administration
Italy
Demographics
Population	uninhabited

Pianosa is a small island in Italy. It's part of the Tuscan Archipelago, a group of islands off the coast. The island is about 10 square kilometers (3.9 square miles) in size. Its name comes from the Latin word "planasia," meaning "plain." This is because the island is very flat, with its highest point only about 22 meters (72 feet) above the sea. No one lives on Pianosa permanently.

Pianosa is known for having a special prison. This prison used to hold some very serious criminals. The island is managed by the nearby island of Elba. On clear days, you can see Pianosa from Elba. It looks like a dark blue line on the horizon. The island is also famous from the book Catch-22. In the story, a U.S. Army Air Corps bomber squadron was based there during World War II. There is another, smaller island also named Pianosa. It is located off Italy's Adriatic Sea coast.

Discovering Pianosa Island

Pianosa is one of the smaller islands in the Tuscan Archipelago. This group of islands is located in the Ligurian Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. The island's flat shape makes it unique compared to other islands in the area.

A Flat Island's Name

The name "Pianosa" perfectly describes the island. It comes from the Latin word "planasia," which means "plain" or "flat." This name was given because the island has a very low elevation. Its highest point is only 22 meters (72 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the flattest islands in the archipelago.

A Special Prison's History

For many years, Pianosa was home to a high-security prison. This prison was used to hold some of Italy's most serious criminals. Because of the prison, access to the island was very restricted. This helped protect the island's natural environment. The prison was closed in 1998. Today, the island is part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park. This park helps protect the unique plants and animals found there.

Pianosa in Fiction

Pianosa gained worldwide fame from the novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. In this famous book, a fictional U.S. Army Air Corps bomber squadron is based on Pianosa during World War II. Even though the island is real, the events and characters in the book are made up. The novel's setting on Pianosa adds to its unique story.

Other Pianosa Islands

It's interesting to know that there is another island named Pianosa. This other island is much smaller. It is located off the Adriatic Sea coast of Italy. It is important not to confuse the two islands, as they are in different parts of Italy.

Images for kids

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  Forte Teglia

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  Forte del Marchese

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  Palazzo della Specola

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  West coast of Pianosa