Sicily

Sicily - Sicilia

Geography and Climate

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is unique. The region is 25,709 km² big, making it the largest island in the Mediterranean. The island is 230 km long and 170 km wide with a coastline of 1,000 km. The island's capital is also the region's largest and most populous city, Palermo, with a population of about 660,000. In addition to Italian, Sicilian is spoken in the region. Sicilian is considered a separate language.

It is one of the five Italian autonomous regions and is officially called "Regione Siciliana". The region is located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula and it is separated from Calabria by the Strait of Messina.

There are nine provinces: Agrigento (AG), Caltanisetta (CL), Catania (CT), Enna (EN), Messina (ME), Palermo (PA), Ragusa (RG), Syracuse (SR) and Trapani (TP).

Mount Etna in Catania and Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands are considered the most active volcanoes in Europe.

Etna

Mount Etna is also the highest mountain (3,330m) on the island. The volcano is about 1,570 km² in size with a diameter of 45 km and is located in the province of Catania.

Airports: Catania, Palermo, Trapani and Comiso.

Sicily is a melting pot of cultures. Over time, the island was conquered by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards.

Sicily has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, making it a top destination for Italians because it is wonderfully warm until late in the year. 

In Sicily, an earthquake risk applies to the entire island.

Foods and drinks

Sicilian cuisine has clear influences from Spanish, Greek, French, but especially from Arabic cuisine. The most delicious dishes are Pasta con le Sarde (pasta with sardines) and Sarde a Beccafico, sardines filled with raisins and pine nuts. Swordfish and tuna are very popular on the island. Arancini, oranges, are a kind of quick bite, rice croquettes filled with meat ragout.  

Ricoltta-filled Cannoli

The region is also known for very tasty Sicilian fruits such as blood oranges, lemons and prickly pears. Pistachios from the village of Bronte are know as the green gold of Sicily. You can taste them on your pizza, in a slice of cake and in your gelato. The famous ricotta-filled Cannoli and the Brioche con Granita, granita or fresh ice cream on a sweet bun, are just a few examples of Sicilian delicacies.

A well-known, tasty, light, sweet wine is the Marsala. Another well-known Sicilian red wine is the Nero d'Avola.

Economy and Health care

Sicily is economically one of the weaker Italian regions.

fishing boats in the port of Catania

The economy is mainly based on fishing, agriculture and tourism. Sicilian wine, citrus fruits and especially fish (tuna and swordfish) are important export products.

In the cities of Palermo, Messina and Catania you will find most industry and companies in the service sector. Furthermore, tourism is a very important source of income. Sicily is one of the weaker regions of Italy. Unemployment, especially among young people and women, is very high.

The island ranks 9th in crime index, with 3,392 reported crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, while the national average is 3,816. In terms of the number of thefts and robberies in homes, the number of reports reported in the region last year was 1,629 per 100,000 inhabitants, while for the whole of Italy that figure is 2,051.

The health service on the island of Sicily is divided into 9 major areas that coincide with each of the nine provinces.

There are 54 public hospitals in the region, 3 of which are university hospitals. This is the link to the website of the Regional Health Service of Sicily, Costruire Salute.

Second homes

The island's many seaside towns are attractive for second homes. Prices are lower than on the Italian mainland, and property prices are low outside the tourist attractions.

The most beautiful towns

Sicily currently has 24 Borghi più belli d'Italia. The best known are Erice and Salemi in the province of Trapani, Ferla, Buccheri and Palazzolo Acreide in the province of Siracusa, and Monterosso Almo in the province of Ragusa.  

Cefalù

What is more beautiful than traveling between these villages and towns, which are plentiful on the island. In the province of Palermo you will find Cefalù, Gangi, Geraci Siculo and Petralia Soprana, and in the province of Enna you will find Agira, Sperlinga, Calascibetta and Troina. In Messina: Castelmola, Castroreale, Montalbano Elicona, Novara di Sicilia, San Marco d'Alunzio and Savoca. In Agrigento you have Sambuca di Sicilia, in Caltanissetta Sutera and in Catania Castiglione di Sicilia and Militello in Val di Catania.

In the guide “Bandieri Arancioni” of Touring Club Italiano you will not find other villages.