Ajaccio serves as the capital and largest city of Corsica, France, functioning as the prefecture of the Corse-du-Sud department and the head office of the Collectivité territoriale de Corse. Situated on the west coast of the island, it occupies a sheltered position at the foot of wooded hills on the northern shore of the Gulf of Ajaccio. The commune extends from the Gravona river to the pointe de la Parata, including the îles Sanguinaires, and represents the largest settlement on the island.