History And Geography

History

According to ancient Greek writers, the Elymians, the Sicani and the Siculi or Sicels were one of the earliest people to inhabit the island of Sicily. 8th century BC witnessed the islands colonization by the Greeks, Phoenician and Punic settlers coming from Carthage. The Greeks established colonies such as Gela, Acragas, Selinunte, Himera and Zancle, however the most significant colony was established in 734 BC at Syracuse. The settlements established by the Greek were initially democratic in nature, however over a period of time they became tyrannical. In BC 480 the wartime alliance formed between Agrigento, Syracuse and Gela defeated the Carthaginians at the battle of Himera, indicating the beginning of the ‘Golden Age'.

The Messanan Crisis that took place in the 3rd century led to the interference of the Roman Republic into Sicilian affairs, which resulted into a war between Rome and Carthage. The end of the war in 242 BC saw all of Sicily coming under the Roman Empire. The Romans faced a number of rebellions by many Sicilian cities following the initial victory of the Carthaginians in the second Punic war. However, over a period of time all such rebellions were crushed and the Romans once again seized control of the region. For the next six centuries that followed, Sicily remained a part of the Roman Empire.

In the period that followed Sicily endured attacks by the Vandal King Geiseric, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantine Empire, the Muslim Arab rulers, and the Normans. It also witnessed a series of Muslim-Christian conflicts that were fuelled by the Crusades. Finally in 1224 the last remaining Arabs were forced out of Sicily. Sicily experienced a tragic outbreak of plague in 1656 while under the Spanish rule. A devastating earthquake followed this tragedy in 1693.

In 1860, Sicily was amalgamated with the Italian kingdom. However, differences and disturbances that followed led to a series of revolts. Italy responded by bombing the island and executing civilian insurgents. Italy once again regained possession of the island and Sicily came under the martial law. During the period of martial law, Sicily was destroyed by the Italian army, which executed and imprisoned thousands of people. Sicily was established as an independent region from 1946 and greatly benefited from the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, the Indemnification fund created by the Italian government.

Schools in Sicily still have special classes dedicated to the study of classical subjects like Greek and Latin, which reflect the islands unique and troubled history. On visiting the island you are bound to come face to face with a thousand year old history that is distinctively pronounced in the Sicilian culture and way of life.

Geography

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island was previously called Trinacria. It is mainly in the shape of a triangle with the capes Boeo (or Lilibeo), Punta del Faro (Peloro) and Passero located on its vertices. The island is dominated and surrounded by a hilly and mountainous terrain, which is mainly an extension of the Apennine range. The highest point in Sicily is Mt. Etna (3261 m / 10,700 feet high), which is located on the east of the island. The Etna is the highest active volcano in the whole of Europe and is known for its destructive capabilities. The only wide valley on the entire island is the fertile plain of Catania in the east, which is mainly located along the lower part of the Simeto River. Narrow costal strips are also present in the southern and western parts of the island along with a small fertile plain called the Conca d'Oro, which is located near Palermo in the northwest.

Being an island Sicily has a number of lovely sandy beaches. These beaches attract a great deal of visitors each year. The area around the Giardino-Naxos has some of the finest beaches in Sicily. The sandy beach situated between Capo Taormina in the north and Capo Schiso in the south is one of the finest beaches in Sicily. The northwest region of the island also has a 1-¼ miles of fine picturesque beaches. You can also find excellent beaches around Mortelle, which is located 7 ½ miles north of Messina at the northeast tip of the island.