Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily). The area of Sardinia is 24 090 square kilometers. The island lies surrounded (clockwise from north) by the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands. Sardinia is a constitutive part of Italy, with a special statute of autonomous region under the Italian Constitution.
At the beginning of the nuragic age circa 1500 BC the island was first called Hyknusa (Latinized Ichnusa) by the Mycenaeans probably meaning island (nusa) of the Hyksos, the people who had just been expelled by Ahmose I of Egypt circa 1540 BC. Sandalyon was its second name, probably due to its shape, recalling a footprint. Last and present name has been Sardinia, for the Shardana (whose invasion of Egypt was defeated by Ramesses III circa 1180 BC).