IONIO

Ionio refers to the Ionian Sea in Italian usage. It is a marginal sea of the Mediterranean, located between the western coast of Greece and the eastern coast of Sicily and the Italian mainland, with the Ionian Islands lying to its east. Its northern boundary is generally defined by the Strait of Otranto, which connects it to the Adriatic Sea; to the south it blends into the eastern Mediterranean.

The Ionian Islands, which include Corfu, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and others, lie within the Ionian Sea and form a distinct archipelago. The Greek island of Kythera is sometimes associated with the Ionian Sea as well. The region is known for its rugged coastlines, turquoise waters, and a climate typical of the eastern Mediterranean.

Historically, the Ionian Sea has been important for navigation and trade, linking Italy and the western Mediterranean with Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. It has strategic significance in various periods, including classical antiquity and modern conflicts. Today the sea is an important area for shipping, fishing, and tourism, particularly for the Ionian Islands and coastal Greek towns such as Corfu, Patras, and Igoumenitsa.

The name Ionio derives from Ionia, the ancient Greek region on the western coast of Asia Minor, which gave its name to the Ionian civilizations and to the Ionian Sea.

See also: Ionian Sea, Ionian Islands.