Sicily

I

Introduction

Sicily (Italian Sicilia; ancient Trinacria), island in the Mediterranean Sea, southern Italy, separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina. The island is roughly triangular in shape. It consists of the provinces of Palermo, Trapani, Messina, Enna, Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Ragusa, and Siracusa which, together with their adjacent small islands, form the administrative region of Sicily (Sicilia). The island's area is 25,460 sq km (9,830 sq mi), making it the largest island of the Mediterranean.

II

Physical Geography

Sicily is for the most part a plateau about 150 to 580 m (500 to 1,900 ft) above sea level. In the north lie the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains, the only well-defined ranges, although there are several isolated peaks, such as the volcano Mount Etna (3,323 m/10,902 ft) in the east, and Monte San Giuliano (ancient Eryx; 750 m/2,460 ft) in the north-west. The lower mountain slopes are generally covered with groves of oranges and olives, and most of the plateau is covered with fields of wheat. The only extensive plain is that of Catania, from which Etna rises. This region is subject to earthquakes. A quake in 1908 resulted in the loss of more than 50,000 lives in Messina and nearby villages.

Sicily is subject to constant drought, not much relieved by the oppressive sirocco wind that blows across the island from North Africa. The rainy season, which occurs in late autumn and winter, does little to improve the general dryness. A combination of primitive farming methods, little use of irrigation, and the arid nature of the area have prevented Sicily from being more agriculturally productive.

In the highest mountain regions of Sicily juniper trees can be found; on the lower slopes beeches grow. Plane trees occur along the rivers in the east, and in the still lower flatlands, where wheat is grown, chestnut and oak trees also grow, along with olive trees, cork oak, and pine. Apart from several varieties of vulture, few wild animals are native to Sicily.

III

Population

Sicily has 5,016,861 inhabitants (5,016,861), with an average population density of 195 people per sq km (505 per sq mi). The regional capital is Palermo (population, 2007 estimate, 60,355); other large cities and towns include Catania (1996 estimate, 333,075); Messina (2007 estimate, 245,159); Syracuse (2007 estimate, 123,324); Marsala (2007 estimate, 82,337); Gela (2007 estimate, 77,311); Trapani (2007 estimate, 70,648); 72,168); Ragusa (2007 estimate, 72,168); Caltanissetta (2007 estimate, 60,355); and Agrigento (2007 estimate, 59,082). The Aeolian Islands (also known as Lipari Islands), a group of 17 volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the north-eastern coast of Sicily, are administered as part of the region.

Sicilian, a Romance language, although not recognized as an official language, is spoken alongside Italian throughout the region. Arbëreshë, a dialect of the Albanian language, has been spoken in many Sicilian villages since a wave of refugees settled in the region in the 15th century. Higher education institutions on the island include the University of Catania (1443; the first university established in Sicily), the University of Messina (1548), and the University of Palermo (1777).

The region is extremely rich in historical and archaeological sites, including ancient Greek ruins at Segesta and Selinus and a Doric temple and necropolis in the ancient city of Himera. The Roman Villa of Casale, in Piazza Armerina, built between ad 330 and 360, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The archaeological remains at Agrigento, which features 20 Doric temples (dating from the 6th and 5th centuries bc) were inscribed on the List in the same year. The Lipari Islands, notable for their volcanic landscape and geology, became a World Heritage Site in 2000. The south-eastern towns of Caltagirone, Catania, Militello, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli, noted for their fine Baroque architecture, were collectively granted World Heritage status in 2002, while a fifth site on the island—Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica—was awarded the designation in 2005.

IV

Economy

Sicily is a principal source of the world supply of sulphur. Other minerals mined in the region include rock salt and asphalt. The petrochemical industry also figures in the economy of the island and is largely dependent on production in eastern Sicily, particularly in Catania and Syracuse and in Ragusa and Gela. Agriculture is still the predominant occupation of Sicilians; wheat is the most important crop. Cereal grains are grown on the larger estates in the interior and along the southern coast. Smaller holdings are devoted principally to growing grapes, almonds, olives, oranges, lemons, beans, and sumac, used in tanning and dyeing. The fisheries (tunny, sardine, coral, and sponge) are extensive; a quarter of Italy's fishing vessels sail from Sicily. Other occupations include producing wine and olive oil, canning fruit and vegetables, and preparing citric acid. Some glassware, metalware, and matches are produced in the larger cities. Sicily exports sulphur, fruits and vegetables, sumac, salt, wine, oil, and fish, and imports mainly grain, coal, and iron. Almost the entire trade is seaborne through the three principal ports, Palermo, Catania, and Messina. Tourism is also an important economic contributor.