Sicily, Italy

Lighthouse at Punta Secca, Sicily
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faro-Punta-Secca.jpg
Author: Alessandro Zocco
Sicily (Italian: Sicilia) is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Located off the Italian mainland, it is also an autonomous region of Italy. Sicily covers 25,711 sq km (9,927 sq mi) and has a population of slightly over five million people (2012 estimate).

Ortigia in Syracuse, Sicily
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ortigia,_lungomare_01.JPG
Author: sailko


Geography of Sicily
Sicily is separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina. The island is roughly triangular in shape. Following the north coast is the mountain ranges of Madonie, Nebrodi and Peloritani. These are an extension of the Appennine mountain range on mainland Italy. On the eastern part of Sicily is Mount Etna. Standing at 3,329 m (10,922 ft) it is the tallest active volcano in Europe and the tallest mountain on Sicily. It is also two and a half times the height of the second tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Vesuvius, also in Italy.

Most of the rivers in Sicily flow south towards the Mediterranean Sea. Among the rivers on Sicily include the Salso, the Alcantara and the Simeto.

Climate of Sicily
Sicily experiences a Mediterranean climate. Winters are mild and wet while summers are hot and dry.

Ruins of a Greek theater in Taormina, Sicily, with Mount Etna in the background
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taormina-Teatro_Greco01.JPG
Author: KurtK9


History of Sicily
Sicily has supported human habitation for thousands of years. The earliest known inhabitants were the Sicani tribe which was said to have migrated from the Iberian peninsula at least around 8,000 BC. Next to arrive were the Elymian tribe, from the Aegean Sea. They settled on the northwest corner of Sicily, causing the Sicanians to relocate east. However, in migrating east, the Sicanians came upon another new group, the Sicels, who arrived in Sicily around 1200 BC. This forced them to relocated yet again, to the middle of the island.

The Greeks began settling in Sicily around 750 BC. They established a number of colonies, the most important of which was Syracuse. The Sicani and Sicel peoples easily adopted the Greek culture and religion, resulting in the construction of many Greek temples on the island.

Meanwhile there were a number of Carthaginian colonies that were established at the same time as the Greek settlements. Friction between the two groups led to the Greek-Punic wars, the longest lasting wars of classical antiquity, from 600 BC to 250 BC. The Greeks allowed Romans to annex Sicily as the first province of the Roman Republic. In return, Rome intervened in the First Punic War, defeating Carthage.

Cefalu Beach, Sicily
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sizilien_Strand_von_Cefalu.jpg
Author: Nikater


Despite successive Punic wars, Sicily was ruled by the Romans until the Western Roman Empire began to fall apart in the 5th century. In AD 440, a Germanic tribe known as the Vandals ousted the Romans from Sicily, but they were quickly replaced by another Germanic tribe, the Goths, under their leader Theodoric the Great. The Goths ruled Sicily until the 6th century, when they were replaced by the Byzantine Empire.

The Byzantines were replaced by the Arabs in AD 965, while the Arabs were replaced by the Normans in 1068. In 1130, the Kingdom of Sicily was established, and ruled the island for a century until the crown passed on to The Holy Roman Empire. Sicily became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Caponata, a Sicilian aubergine dish
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caponata_(57386191).jpg
Author: sandys


Economy of Sicily
Agriculture is an important component of Sicily's economy. Its volcanic soil is highly fertile. However the island often experiences summer droughts. The main agricultural products are oranges, lemons, olives, olive oil, almonds and graves. Sicily also has a number of industries including wine production, food processing, petroleum refining and more.

Sicily is a major tourist destination destination in Europe. Its dry and sunny climate makes it attractive to tourists from mainland Italy and Europe at large. The island has a handful of World Heritage Sites and numerous archaeological sites. Administrative Divisions of Sicily
Sicily is divided into nine provinces namely Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Syracuse and Trapani.

Sicily on the map

The busiest airport in Sicily is the Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. It receives the highest number of flights, mainland from mainland Europe.

Cities & Towns in Sicily

World Heritage Sites in Sicily

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