Sicily (Sicilia in Italian and Sicilian, Σικελία in Greek) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. Sicily is adjacent to the region of Calabria via the Strait of Messina to the east. The volcano Etna, situated close to Catania, is 3,320 m (10,900 ft) high, making it the tallest volcano in Europe. It is also one of the world's most active volcanoes. The Aeolian islands to the north are administratively a part of Sicily, as are the Aegadian Islands and Pantelleria Island to the west, Ustica Island to the north-west, and the Pelagian Islands to the south-west.

Sicily has been noted for two millennia as a grain-producing territory: olives and wine are among its other agricultural products. The mines of the Enna and Caltanissetta district became a leading sulphur-producing area in the 19th century, but have declined since the 1950s.

Most of Sicily's motorways (autostrade) run through the northern portion of the island—the most important ones being A19 Palermo-Catania, A20 Palermo-Messina, A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo and the toll road A18 Messina-Catania.

Much of the motorway network is elevated by columns due to the mountainous terrain. The road network in the south of the country consists largely of well-maintained secondary roads.

Sicily is connected to the Italian peninsula by the national railway company, Trenitalia, though trains are loaded onto ferries for the crossing from the mainland.

Officially, the Stretto di Messina, S.p.A. is scheduled to commence construction of the world's longest suspension bridge, the Strait of Messina Bridge, in the second half of 2006.

When completed, it will mark the first time in human history that Sicily will be connected by a land link to Italy. In October of 2006 the Italian Parliament scrapped the plan due to underwhelming support.

Sicily is served by national and international flights, mostly to European locations, to and from Palermo International Airport and the substantially busier Catania-Fontanarossa Airport. There are also minor national airports in Trapani and on the small islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa.

The city of Palermo has an urban metropolitan service, handled by Trenitalia, with eleven stations, including an airport stop. A daily service operates by Virtu Ferries, between Malta and Sicily, stopping at Pozzallo or Catania.

Sicily's principal cities include the regional capital Palermo, together with the other provincial capitals Catania, Messina, Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), Trapani, Enna, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Ragusa. Other Sicilian towns include Acireale, Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Piazza Armerina, Bagheria, Partinico, Carini, Alcamo, Caltagirone, Cefalù, Bronte, Marsala, Corleone, Castellammare del Golfo, Calatafimi, Gela, Termini Imerese, Francavilla di Sicilia, and Abacaenum (now Tripi).

The regional flag of Sicily, recognized since January 2000, is also the historical one of the island since 1282. It is divided diagonally yellow over red, with the trinacria symbol in the center.

"Trinacria" literally means "three points", it most probably is a solar symbol even though lately, it has been considered representative of the three points of the island. The head shown on the Sicilian trinacria is the face of Medusa. The trinacria symbol is used also by other regions like the Isle of Man.

The Region Sicily  autonomous region to special statute Basical Information Capital Palermo Zone Insular Italy Number of Cities 390 Number of Provinces 9 Resident population Total 4.866.202 Males 2.351.651 Females 2.514.551 Density 198 ab./kmq Annual demografic increase: 0,5% Rate of birth-rate: 12,9% Middle dimension of the families: 3,2 persone Codes Istat Code 19 Initials Region SIC Other Information Denomination Inhabitants Sicilians Busy: 29,3 % della popolazione, of which: »Agriculture 16,7% »Industry 20,8% »Other activities 62,5% income: 8.160.000 lire (1985) televisions: 1 each 5,3 ab. roads:   21.231 km, of which 568 highways vehicles: 1 each 3 ab. telephones: 1 each 3,7 ab. railroads: 1561 km Territorial surface Kmq 25.708 Mountain 24,4% Hill 61,4% LowLand 14,2% maximum elevation: Etna, 3340 m Link Official site Institutions Interactive maps Forecasts Meteo Tourism Sicily Provinces of the Region Agrigento Caltanissetta Catania Enna Messina Palermo Ragusa Siracusa Trapani

Institutions

Interactive maps

Mappe Interattive e Cartine della Sicilia in collaborazione con: ViaMichelin Virgilio DiscoverItalia Maporama Jumpy