I.

Introduction

Sicily (Italian Sicilia; ancient Trinacria), largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, southern Italy, separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina. The island is roughly triangular in shape and with adjacent small islands forms a region of Italy. Area of Sicily region, 25,707 sq km (9,926 sq mi); population (2005) 5,013,081.

Sicily is for the most part a plateau 150 to 600 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 northwest. 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 at least 84,000 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.