Corsica is surrounded by more than 100 satellite islands which shelter a precious and fragile vegetation. In the Natural reserve of the Strait of Bonifacio, south of the territory, the Piana island sits in the lagoon of Piantarella. Floating just 300 m (0.2 mi) from the coast of the tip of Sperone, a strip of sand comes up to the water surface and provides access to the island from the beach. On this islet of 6.45 ha, the Phoenician juniper is the dominant species of the maquis.