Elba, an island in the Mediterranean. It lies between the northern end of Corsica and the mainland of Italy. It is about eighteen miles long and twelve miles wide. Its iron mines were celebrated in the days of the Romans, and are still worked. Its quarries supply a superior quality of marble and alum. It is a land of vineyards and orchards. Elba is noted in history. At Napoleon's downfall in 1814 it was a serious question of what to do with him. He was assigned the island of Elba as a residence, and also as an empire. It was proposed to give him a princely income and allow him to retain royal rank. The island, however, was entirely too small for a man of his ambition. He left for the coast of France and inaugurated the campaign which resulted in Waterloo and in his banishment to St. Helena. Elba belongs to Italy. Population, 25,480.