CORFU, an island in the Ionian sea, at the mouth of the gulf of Venice, formerly called Coreyra and Phæacia, famous for the gardens of Alcinoos. It belonged formerly to the Venetians; but was transferred to France in 1797. It was reduced by the Turks and Russians jointly in 1799, was again given up to France in 1807, and in 1814 was given up to Great Britain, as protector of the Ionian islands. This island forms the seat of the government, and contained 60,000 inhabitants in 1807. See IONIAN ISLANDS, SUPPLEMENT. The inhabitants are of the Greek church. The soil is very fruitful, and produces a great deal of wine, olives, and several other fruits, particularly figs, which are exceedingly good.
During the Venetian government this island was the residence of the governor general, whose jurisdiction extended over all the islands subject to the republic of Venice, in the Levant seas, and was considered as one of the greatest honours they could confer on a subject. He was always a nobleman of the first rank, and had his appointment for three years only, in which time he made a tolerable addition to his fortune, and on his return to Venice was generally advanced to the honours of the senate.