Sicilia is an island, homeof beautiful beaches, enticing cuisine and,
more formidably, the Mafia. The largest Mediterranean island, it is separated
from mainland Italy by the Straits of Messina. This position has led to a number
of people invading the island over the centuries, resulting in a blend of
cultures - the people speak local dialects which have traces of Arabic, Greek
and other languages. It is a land of fertile soil and the economy is based
largely in agriculture together with fishing and mining.
A temperate climate is experienced with mild winters but very hot summers.
Situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicilia's capital, Palermo, is a beautiful,
lively city with some splendid architecture. Telltale signs of the foreign
empires and traders that contributed to its growth are dotted across the city.
It boasts fine examples of Arabic, Baroque and Norman architecture amongst a
number of other attractions.
Spectacularly rugged, with more than a quarter of the land area classified as
mountains, the island’s dominant feature is 10,000ft Mount Etna, the largest
active volcano in Europe. It is partnered by two other active volcano`s,
Stromboli and Vulcano, whose summits only are visible as islands in the sea
north of Sicily. The island has always attracted visitors.
In the 8th century BC it was the Greeks and Phoenicians who saw its potential
for trade as a link between Africa and Europe and eventually became colonisers.
The rise of Rome meant that Sicliy passed into Roman hands. The next visitors
were the North African Moors who brought Arab Culture and they were succeeded by
the Normans who brought the islands back under the jurisdiction of the Church of
Rome. The last foreign colonists were the Spanish who remained until the 18th
century. All these invasions and colonisation's have left their mark on the
island which is a melting pot of races and retains remains of all their past
individual dominance. Visitors now marvel at these superb relics and treasures
preserved from bygone ages and civilisations.
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