Sardinia

(sar-din'e-ah.) [It. SARDEGNA.) An Italian island of the Mediterranean, having the Strait of Bonifacio between it and Corsica to the N.; oblong in shape, ithas a length of 160 m., N. to S., and averages 60 m. in width. Area, 9,240 sq. miles. Surface mountainous; soil fertile enough for agricultural purposes, and rich in minerals. C. Cagliari. S. claims to have been settled by a Libyan colony under Sardus, B. c. 1200; and, in course of ages became the property succe ively of the Cart hag in i ans, Romans, Vandals,Goths,Moors,Genoese, andAragonese. In 1720, it pa ed under the rule of the dukes of Savoy, and has since become incorporated with the kingdom of Italy, as a part of the former kingdom of Sardinia. Pop. 588,064.- S. (KINGDOM OF.) A European monarchy founded in 1720 by Victor A made us I., Duke of Savoy, and which merged into the autonomized kingdom of Italy, under Victor Emmanuel, in 1861. It consisted of the duchies of Savoy and Genoa, the principality of Piedmont, the island of Sardinia, and the country of Nice; and its continental extent embraced an area of 20,000 sq. m. with its cap. at Turin. [s. 797]