Sardinia

Sardinia, a large island pertaining to the kingdom of Italy, lying south of Corsica, from which it is separated by the Straits of Bonifacio. The chief towns are Cagliari, the capital, on the south, Sassari on the north, and Oristagno on the west. The surface of the island is diversified by numerous hills and valleys, and the soil is fruitful. The chief export is salt, and round the coasts there are extensive fisheries. Several dialects of Italian are spoken, some being mixed with Spanish. After passing under many dominations, the island was in 1720 ceded by Spain to the duchy of Savoy, and so became part of the kingdom of Italy in 1859.