Sicilija

Sicilija, commonly known in English as Sicily, is the largest island in the Mediterranean and an autonomous region of Italy, located off the southwestern tip of the Italian Peninsula. The regional capital is Palermo; other major cities include Catania, Messina, Syracuse, and Trapani. It covers about 25,700 square kilometers and has a population of around five million.

Geography and environment: Sicily features a varied landscape with a central mountainous spine and a long coastline. Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, dominates the eastern part of the island. The climate is Mediterranean along the coasts and more continental inland, with diverse habitats including agricultural plains, hills, and nature reserves.

History: Sicily has a long, diverse history. It was settled by Phoenicians and Greeks, with powerful city-states such as Syracuse and Agrigento. It was controlled by Carthage and later conquered by the Romans. In the medieval period it was ruled by Arabs, then Norman and Hohenstaufen rulers, forming the Kingdom of Sicily, which later joined the Crown of Aragon and eventually became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. In the 20th century it gained autonomous status within Italy.

Economy and culture: The economy combines tourism, agriculture, industry, and fishing. Agriculture remains important, with citrus, olives, almonds, and vineyards. UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the Arab-Norman Palermo area, as well as the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto. Sicilian cuisine is noted for dishes such as pasta alla norma, arancini, cannoli, and caponata, reflecting Greek, Arab, and Norman influences.

Administration and transport: Sicily is governed as an autonomous region with a regional government. Major international airports serve Palermo and Catania, and several ports connect to mainland Italy and beyond.