Pianosa

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Pianosa is a small (about 10 km²) island in Italy's Tuscan Archipelago. The name is derived from the Italian word "pianura" (plain) because its highest point is some 22 meters over sea level. It was known as Planasia in the ancient Roman era.

Pianosa has no permanent residents. It is known in Italy for hosting a maximum-security prison, where especially dangerous Mafia criminals are held. It is also historically significant for Augustus banishing his grandson and ex-heir Postumus Agrippa there in AD 6 or 7. Postumus remained there until his execution around the time of Augustus's death in 14.

For administration purposes, Pianosa is part of the Elba island municipality. On clear days, it can be seen from that island as a dark blue line over the lighter blue sea.

In the novel Catch-22, a U.S. Army Air Corps bomber squadron is based on the island during World War II, though author Joseph Heller conceded that he took some literary license in making Pianosa big enough for a major military complex. Heller's Pianosa is also home to a small community of Italian villagers, unlike the real island.

There is another, even smaller island called Pianosa off the Adriatic coast of Italy, due north of Monte Gargano.

External links

• Tourist information

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Last updated on Thursday March 06, 2008 at 02:34:59 PST (GMT -0800)
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