Measuring 224 square km, the island is situated 10 km from the mainland with a ferry boat service taking only one hour from Piombino to Portoferraio (the island's main town). Elba has approximately 30.000 inhabitants, of these, 11.000 live in Portoferraio. The island is divided into 7 administrative "Communes". It has an asphalt road network of 210 km and 30 km of panoramic "macadam" roads. The climate is always mild with a middle annual temperature of ca. 16°; the medium in the winter is about 10° degrees, 14° in spring, 26° degrees in summer and 17° degree in autumn. The medium water-temperature of April is always about 19° degrees, 20° in May, June about 24°, 26,8° degrees in July, in August 27,3°, September 25,5° degrees and October 23,1° degrees.

Already in ancient times Elba's destiny was determined by two factors: its strategic position and the richness of its mineral resources. Due to these characteristics, it was often the object of conquest for the various powers along the Mediterranean. For the Etruscans and the Romans Elba represented an inexhaustible source of wealth and the iron from Elba contributed to the prosperity of their civilization.

During the Medieval period Elba was dominated by Pisa. The remains of some important and striking defensive structures testify the importance of possessing the island. The Appiani Lordship followed, as did the attentions of Cosimo de Medici, who built "Cosmopoli" on top of the ruins of the Roman city of Fabricia - now the main town Portoferraio - and had it surrounded with the impressive walls that saved the inhabitants from many pirate raids. The Spaniards settled in Porto Azzurro and they too made sure to construct defences on their territory - the San Giacomo Fort still dominates the pleasant landscape.

In the more recent history, the period that made this island famous and placed it on the world map was the brief exile of Napoleon, who stayed here for 10 month prior to his 100 days adventure which was finished in Waterloo. Bonaparte left a significant mark of his short reign: important reforms and buildings like his "Villa dei Mulini" in Portoferraio and his impressing "San Martino" - which are now museums that can be visited.

The island first opened to tourism soon after 1950 but has managed to preserve its waters, flora and fauna thanks to its local administration and inhabitants. Most visitors arrive by car, others by train travelling to Piombino Marittima station which is very close to the ferry departures.