Sicily
27619
226007873
2008-07-16T12:30:18Z
Presente
7485301
/* Early Middle Ages */
{{coor title dms|37|38|33|N|14|11|34|E|type:adm1st(5017212)|region:IT}}
{{Infobox Region of Italy
|name = Sicily
|fullname = {{lang|it|Regione Autonoma Siciliana}}
|isocode =
|capital = [[Palermo]]
|status = [[Autonomous regions with special statute|Autonomous region]]
|governor = [[Raffaele Lombardo]], (2008-)
|zone = [[South Italy]]
|province = [[Province of Agrigento|Agrigento]]<br/>[[Province of Caltanissetta|Caltanissetta]]<br/>[[Province of Catania|Catania]]<br/>[[Province of Enna|Enna]]<br/>[[Province of Messina|Messina]]<br/>[[Province of Palermo|Palermo]]<br/>[[Province of Ragusa|Ragusa]]<br/>[[Province of Syracuse|Syracuse]]<br/>[[Province of Trapani|Trapani]]
|municipality = 390
|language = [[Italian language|Italian]] (official), [[Sicilian language|Sicilian]]
|arearank = 1st
|area = 25,708
|areapercent = 8.5
|population_as_of = 2006 est.
|populationrank = 4th
|population = 5,017,212
|populationpercent = 8.5
|populationdensity = 195
|coatofarms = [[Image:Flag of Sicily (revised).svg|220px|Flag of Sicily]]<br><small>[[Flag of Sicily|Flag]]</small>
|map = [[Image:Italy Regions Sicily Map.png]]
}}
'''Sicily''' ([[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Sicilian language|Sicilian]]: '''''Sicilia''''') is an [[Autonomous regions with special statute|autonomous region]] of [[Italy]]. Of all the regions of Italy, Sicily covers the largest land area at 25,708 km² and currently has five million inhabitants. It is also the largest island in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. In addition, several much [[:Category:Islands of Sicily|smaller islands]] surrounding it are also considered to be part of Sicily. Along with [[Sardinia]], the island is officially classified as a region of [[Insular Italy]].
Throughout much of its history, Sicily has been considered a crucial strategic location due in large part to its importance for Mediterranean trade routes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.keyitaly.com/article/sicily-guide/|publisher=KeyItaly.com|title=Sicily|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref> The area was highly regarded as part of ''[[Magna Graecia]]'', with [[Cicero]] describing [[Syracuse, Sicily|Siracusa]] as the greatest and most beautiful city of all [[Ancient Greece]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/Place/805776|publisher=AncientWorlds.net|title=Sicilia's Urbs of Syracusa|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
Although a region of Italy today, Sicily was once its own country as the [[Kingdom of Sicily]], ruled from [[Palermo]]. The kingdom originally ruled over the island, the southern [[Italian peninsula]] and [[Malta]] before the [[Sicilian Vespers]]. It later became a part of the [[Two Sicilies]] under the [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]]s, with the capital in [[Naples]] rather than Sicily. Since that time the [[Italian unification]] has taken place and Sicily is now an [[autonomy|autonomous]] part of Italy.
Sicily is considered to be highly rich in its own unique culture, especially with regard to [[the arts]], [[cuisine]], [[Sicilian Baroque|architecture]] and even [[Sicilian language|language]]. The Sicilian economy is largely based on [[farming|agriculture]] (mainly [[Orange (fruit)|orange]] and [[lemon]] orchards); this same rural [[countryside]] has attracted significant [[tourism]] in the modern age as its natural beauty is highly regarded.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yoursicily.net/wedding_sicily.asp|publisher=YourSicily.net|title=Wedding in Sicily|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref> Sicily also holds importance for [[archeological]] and ancient sites such as the [[Necropolis of Pantalica]] and the [[Valley of the Temples]].
==History==
{{main|History of Sicily}}
===Ancient tribes===
The original inhabitants of Sicily were three defined groups of the [[Ancient peoples of Italy]]. The most prominent and by far the earliest of which was the [[Sicani]], who according to [[Thucydides]] arrived from the [[Iberian Peninsula]] (perhaps [[Catalonia]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Sicily_-_History/id/5462681|publisher=Experience Festival|title=Sicily: Encyclopedia II - Sicily - History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=A7kGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=segre+sicano&source=web&ots=nafG4zc6s6&sig=x-ViYce3dJazDQqY72a3_4RHjVc|publisher=Ensayo historico|title=Aapologetico de la literatura española contra los opiniones|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Important historical evidence has been discovered in the form of cave drawings by the Sicani, dated from the end of the [[Pleistocene Epoch]], around 8000 BC.<ref name="sicanian">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art141.htm|publisher=Best of Sicily|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Sicanians|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Elymians]], thought to be from the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]], were the next tribe to migrate to join the Sicanians on Sicily.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9067615/Sicani|publisher=Britannica.com|title=Sicani|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Although there is no evidence of any wars between the tribes, when the Elymians settled in the north-west corner of the island, the Sicanians moved across eastwards. From mainland [[Italy]], thought to originally have been [[Ligures]] from [[Liguria]] came the [[Sicels]] in 1200 BC; forcing the Sicanians to move back across Sicily settling in the middle of the island.<ref name="sicanian">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art141.htm|publisher=Best of Sicily|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Sicanians|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
===Greek and Roman period===
{{main|Magna Graecia|Ancient Rome|Sicilia (Roman province)}}
[[Image:Sicily Selinunte Temple E (Hera).JPG|thumb|right|220px|Greek temple at [[Selinunte]].]]
About 750 BC, the [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]] began to [[colonize]] Sicily, establishing many important settlements. The most important colony was [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]]; other significant ones were [[Agrigentum|Akragas]], [[Gela]], [[Himera]], [[Selinunte]], and [[Messina, Italy|Zancle]]. The native Sicani and Sicel peoples were absorbed by the [[Ancient Greece|Hellenic culture]] with relative ease, and the area was part of ''[[Magna Graecia]]'' along with the rest of [[Southern Italy]], which the Greeks had also colonized. Sicily was very fertile, and the introduction of [[olives]] and [[grape vine]]s flourished, creating a great deal of profitable trading;<ref name="knowital">{{cite news|url=http://www.knowital.com/history/sicily/sicily-history.html|publisher=KnowItal.com|title=History of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> a significant part of Greek culture on the island was that of [[Religion in ancient Greece|Greek religion]] and many temples were built across Sicily, such as the ''Valley of the Temples'' at [[Agrigento]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://italiansrus.com/articles/temples.htm|publisher=Italiansrus.com|title=Valley of the Temples|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Politics on the island was intertwined with that of Greece; [[Syracuse, Italy|Syracuse]] became desired by the [[Athenian]]s, who during [[Peloponnesian War]] set out on the [[Sicilian Expedition]]. Syracuse gained [[Sparta]] and [[Corinth]] as allies, as a result the Athenian army and ships were destroyed, with most of the survivors being sold into slavery.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.livius.org/su-sz/syracuse/siege.html|publisher=Livius.org|title=Siege of Syracuse|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Syracuse amphi Romain.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Roman amphitheatre]]
While Greek Syracuse controlled much of Sicily, there were a few [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] colonies in the far west of the island. When the two cultures began to clash, the [[Sicilian Wars]] erupted.<ref name="hutch">{{cite news|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Sicily|publisher=[[Hutchinson Encyclopedia]]|title=Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Greece began to make peace with the [[Roman Republic]] in 262 BC and the Romans sought to [[Annexation|annex]] Sicily as its empire's first province. Rome intervened in the [[First Punic War]], crushing Carthage so that by 242 BC Sicily had become the first Roman province outside of the [[Italian Peninsula]].<ref name="hutch">{{cite news|url=http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Sicily|publisher=[[Hutchinson Encyclopedia]]|title=Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Second Punic War]], in which [[Archimedes]] was killed, saw Carthage trying to take Sicily from the Roman Empire. They failed and this time Rome was even more unrelenting in the annihilation of the invaders; during 210 BC the [[Roman consul]] M. Valerian, told the [[Roman Senate]] that "no Carthaginian remains in Sicily".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.10000bc.tv/|publisher=10000BC.tv|title=Sensational Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
Sicily served a level of high importance for the Romans as it acted as the empire's [[granary]], it was divided into two [[quaestor]]ships in the form of Syracuse to the east and [[Lilybaeum]] to the west.<ref name="catholi">{{ws|"[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Sicily|Sicily]]" in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia''}}.</ref> Although under [[Augustus]] some attempt was made to introduce the [[Latin language]] to the island, Sicily was allowed to remain largely Greek in a cultural sense, rather than a complete cultural [[Romanization (cultural)|Romanisation]].<ref name="catholi">{{ws|"[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Sicily|Sicily]]" in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia''}}.</ref> When [[Verres]] became governor of Sicily, the once prosperous and contented people were put into sharp decline, in 70 BC noted figure [[Cicero]] condemned the misgovernment of Verres in his oration ''[[In Verrem]]''.<ref>{{cite book
| last = Stockton
| first = David
| title =Cicero: A Political Biography
| publisher =Oxford University Press
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=JqsqlajAPCoC&pg=PA43&lpg=PA43&dq=in+verrem+cicero+verres&source=web&ots=myCxg3IJhT&sig=7mcMkg8q0_lvM9cbu9P66pbktoQ
| isbn = 978-0198720331}}</ref> The religion of [[Christianity]] first appeared in Sicily during the years following 200 AD, between this time and 313 AD when [[Constantine I|Constantine the Great]] finally lifted the prohibition, a significant number of Sicilians became [[martyr]]s such as [[Agatha of Sicily|Agatha]], [[Saint Christina|Christina]], [[Saint Lucy|Lucy]], [[Euplius]] and many more.<ref name="earlymediev">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history2.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Early & Medieval History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Christianity grew rapidly in Sicily during the next two centuries, the period of history where Sicily was a Roman province lasted for around 700 years in total.<ref name="earlymediev">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history2.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Early & Medieval History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
===Early Middle Ages===
{{main|Byzantine Empire|Emirate of Sicily}}
[[Image:Mons Lactarius.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Depiction of the Gothic War.]]
As the Roman Empire was falling apart, a [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] tribe known as the [[Vandals]] took Sicily in 440 AD under the rule of their king [[Geiseric]]. The Vandals had already invaded parts of Roman [[France]] and [[Spain]], inserting themselves as an important power in western Europe.<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book
| last = Privitera
| first = Joseph
| title =Sicily: An Illustrated History
| publisher =Hippocrene Books
| url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
| isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> However, they soon lost these newly acquired possessions to another [[East Germanic tribes|East Germanic tribe]] in the form of the [[Goths]].<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book
| last = Privitera
| first = Joseph
| title =Sicily: An Illustrated History
| publisher =Hippocrene Books
| url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
| isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> The [[Ostrogoths|Ostrogothic]] conquest of Sicily (and Italy as a whole) under [[Theodoric the Great]] began in 488; although the Goths were Germanic, Theodoric sought to revive Roman culture and government and allowed freedom of religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9026834/Theodoric#949802.hook|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=Theodoric|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Gothic War (535–554)|Gothic War]] took place between the Ostrogoths and the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the [[Byzantine Empire]]. Sicily was the first part of Italy to be taken under general [[Belisarius]] who was commissioned by [[Eastern Emperor]] [[Justinian I]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = Hearder
| first = Harry
| title =Italy: A Short History
| publisher =Cambridge University Press
| url =http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/paper/FootJohn2.html
| isbn = 978-0521337199}}</ref> Sicily was used as a base for the Byzantines to conquer the rest of Italy, with [[Naples]], [[Rome]], [[Milan]] and the Ostrogoth capital [[Ravenna]] falling within five years.<ref name="hisnet">{{cite news|url=http://www.historynet.com/magazines/military_history/3025271.html|publisher=Historynet.com|title=Gothic War: Byzantine Count Belisarius Retakes Rome|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> However, a new Ostrogoth king [[Totila]], drove down the Italian peninsula, [[plunder]]ing and conquering Sicily in 550. Totila, in turn, was defeated and killed in the [[Battle of Taginae]] by the Byzantine general [[Narses]] in 552.<ref name="hisnet">{{cite news|url=http://www.historynet.com/magazines/military_history/3025271.html|publisher=Historynet.com|title=Gothic War: Byzantine Count Belisarius Retakes Rome|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
Byzantine Emperor [[Constans II]] decided to move from the capital [[Constantinople]] to [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] in Sicily during 660, the following year he launched an assault from Sicily against the [[Lombardy|Lombard]] [[Duchy of Benevento]], which then occupied most of Southern Italy.<ref name="travsyrac">{{cite news|url=http://www.travelmapofsicily.com/syracuse.html|publisher=TravelMapofSicily.com|title=Syracuse, Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The rumours that the capital of the empire was to be moved to Syracuse, along with small raids probably cost Constans his life as he was assassinated in 668.<ref name="travsyrac">{{cite news|url=http://www.travelmapofsicily.com/syracuse.html|publisher=TravelMapofSicily.com|title=Syracuse, Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> His son [[Constantine IV]] succeeded him, a brief usurpation in Sicily by [[Mezezius]] being quickly suppressed by the new emperor. Contemporary accounts report that the [[Greek language]] was widely spoken on the island during this period.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art165.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Byzantines|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Palermo-San-Giovanni-bjs-2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[San Giovanni degli Eremiti]], red domes showing elements of Arab architecture.]]
In 826, [[Euphemius (King of Sicily)|Euphemius]] the commander of the Byzantine fleet of Sicily forced a nun to marry him. Emperor [[Michael II]] caught wind of the matter and ordered that general Constantine end the marriage and cut off Euphemius' nose. Euphemius rose up, killed Constantine and then occupied Syracuse; he in turn was defeated and drove out to [[North Africa]].<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> He offered rule of Sicily over to [[Ziyadat Allah I of Aghlabids|Ziyadat Allah]] the [[Aghlabid]] Emir of [[Tunisia]] in return for a place as a general and safety; an Islamic army of [[Arabs]], [[Berbers]], [[Spaniards]], [[Cretans]] and [[Persians]] was sent.<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The conquest was a [[see-saw]] affair: with considerable resistance and many internal struggles, it took over a century for Byzantine Sicily to be conquered. Syracuse held for a long time, [[Taormina]] fell in 902, and all of the island was eventually conquered by 965.<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
Throughout this reign, continued revolts by Byzantine Sicilians happened especially in the east and part of the lands were even re-occupied before being quashed. Agricultural items such as [[orange (fruit)|orange]]s, [[lemon]]s, [[pistachio]] and [[sugar cane]] were brought to Sicily.<ref name="jpriv">{{cite book
| last = Privitera
| first = Joseph
| title =Sicily: An Illustrated History
| publisher =Hippocrene Books
| url =http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0781809096/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
| isbn = 978-0781809092}}</ref> As [[dhimmi]]s, the native Christians were allowed [[freedom of religion]] but had to pay [[jizya|an extra tax]] to their rulers. However, the [[Emirate of Sicily]] began to fragment as inner-dynasty related quarrels took place between the Muslim regime.<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> During this time there was also a minority [[Jewish]] presence.<ref>Raphael Patai, The Jewish Mind, Scribners, 1977, p. 155-6</ref> By the 11th century mainland southern Italian powers were hiring ferocious [[Normans|Norman]] merecenaries, who were Christian descendants of the [[Vikings]] based in the [[Duchy of Normandy]]; it was the Normans under [[Roger I of Sicily|Roger I]] who freed Sicily from the Muslims.<ref name="stan">{{cite news|url=http://archaeology.stanford.edu/MountPolizzo/handbookPDF/MPHandbook5.pdf|publisher=Archaeology.Stanford.edu|title=Brief history of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> After taking [[Apulia]] and [[Calabria]], he occupied [[Messina]] with an army of 700 knights. In 1068, [[Roger Guiscard]] and his men defeated the Muslims at [[Misilmeri]] but the most crucial battle was the siege of Palermo, which led to Sicily being completely in Norman control by 1091.<ref name="initalymag">{{cite news|url=http://www.initaly.com/regions/sicily/chronol.htm|publisher=In Italy Magazine|title=Chronological - Historical Table Of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
===Kingdom of Sicily===
{{main|Kingdom of Sicily|List of monarchs of Sicily}}
[[Image:BasilicaDiMonreale.jpg|thumb|right|180px|The [[Cathedral of Monreale]].]]
Palermo continued on as the capital under the [[Normans]]. Roger's son, [[Roger II of Sicily]], was ultimately able to raise the status of the island to a kingdom in 1130, along with his other holdings which included the [[Duchy of Apulia and Calabria]] and the [[Maltese Islands]].<ref name="malta">{{cite news|url=http://www.aboutmalta.com/history/time-Line.htm|publisher=AboutMalta.com|title=Classical and Medieval Malta (60-1530) |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref name="initalymag">{{cite news|url=http://www.initaly.com/regions/sicily/chronol.htm|publisher=In Italy Magazine|title=Chronological - Historical Table Of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> During this period the [[Kingdom of Sicily]] was prosperous and politically powerful, becoming one of the wealthiest states in all of Europe; even wealthier than [[England]].<ref>{{cite book
| last = John Julius
| first = Norwich
| authorlink = John Julius Norwich
| title =The Normans in Sicily: The Normans in the South 1016-1130 and the Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194
| publisher =Penguin Global
| url =http://www.amazon.com/Normans-Sicily-1016-1130-Kingdom-1130-1194/dp/0140152121
| isbn = 978-0140152128}}</ref> Significantly, immigrants from [[Northern Italy]] and [[Campania]] arrived during this period. Linguistically, the island became [[Latinised]]. In terms of church, it would become completely [[Roman Catholic]]; previously, under the Byzantines, it had been more Eastern Christian.<ref name="normansbestof">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art171.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Normans|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Francesco Hayez 023.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Depiction of the [[Sicilian Vespers]].]]
After a century the Norman [[Hauteville family|Hauteville]] dynasty died out, the last direct descendent and heir of Roger; [[Constance of Sicily|Constance]] married [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Henry VI]].<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> This eventually led to the crown of Sicily been passed on to the [[Hohenstaufen Dynasty]] who were Germans from [[Swabia]]. Conflict between the Hohenstaufen house and the [[Papacy]], led in 1266 to [[Pope Innocent IV]] crowning [[Capetian House of Anjou|Angevin Dynasty]] duke [[Charles I of Naples|Charles I]] as the king of both Sicily and Naples.<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Strong opposition of the [[France|French]] officialdom due to mistreatment and [[taxation]] saw the local peoples of Sicily rise up, leading in 1282 to an [[insurrection]] known as the [[War of the Sicilian Vespers]], which eventually saw almost the entire French population on the island killed.<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> During the war the Sicilians turned to [[Peter III of Aragon|Peter III]] of the [[Kingdom of Aragon]] for support after being rejected by the Pope. Peter gained control of Sicily from the French though the French retained control of the [[Kingdom of Naples]]. The wars continued until the [[peace of Caltabellotta]] in 1302, which saw [[Frederick III of Sicily|Frederick III]] recognised as king of the Isle of Sicily, while [[Charles II of Naples|Charles II]] was recognised as the king of Naples by [[Pope Boniface VIII]].<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Sicily was ruled as an independent kingdom by relatives of the kings of Aragon until 1409 and then as part of the [[Crown of Aragon]].<ref name="knowital">{{cite news|url=http://www.knowital.com/history/sicily/sicily-history.html|publisher=KnowItal.com|title=History of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Catane Badia Di Sant Agata.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Sicilian Baroque]] in [[Catania]].]]
The [[Spanish Inquisition]] in 1492 saw [[Ferdinand I of Aragon|Ferdinand I]] decreeing the expulsion of every single [[Jew]] from Sicily.<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The island was hit by two very serious earthquakes in the east in both 1542 and 1693, just a few years before the latter earthquake the island was struck by a ferocious plague.<ref name="dieli">{{cite news|url=http://www.dieli.net/SicilyPage/History/SicilianHist.html|publisher=Dieli.net|title=Sicilian History|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> There were revolts during the 17th century, but these were quelled with significant force especially the revolts of Palermo and [[Messina]].<ref name="knowital">{{cite news|url=http://www.knowital.com/history/sicily/sicily-history.html|publisher=KnowItal.com|title=History of Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The [[Treaty of Utrecht]] in 1713 saw Sicily assigned to the [[House of Savoy]], however this period of rule lasted only seven years as it was exchanged for the island of [[Sardinia]] with [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles VI]] of the [[Austria]]n [[House of Habsburg|Habsburg Dynasty]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldica.org/topics/france/utrecht.htm|publisher=Heraldica.org|title= The Treaties of Utrecht (1713)|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
While the Austrians were concerned with the [[War of the Polish Succession]], a [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]] prince, [[Charles III of Spain|Charles]] from [[Spain]] was able to conquer Sicily and Naples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.realcasadiborbone.it/uk/archiviostorico/cs_04.htm|publisher=RealCasaDiBorbone.it|title= Charles of Bourbon - the restorer of the Kingdom of Naples|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> At first Sicily was able to remain as an independent kingdom under [[personal union]], while the Bourbons ruled over both from Naples. However the advent of [[Napoleon I|Napoleon]]'s [[First French Empire]] saw Naples taken at the [[Battle of Campo Tenese]] and Bonapartist [[Kings of Naples]] were instated. [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand III]] the Bourbon was forced to retreat to Sicily which he was still in complete control of with the help of [[Royal Navy|British naval]] protection.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.clash-of-steel.co.uk/pages/battle_details.php?battle=CAMPOTENES01|publisher=Clash-of-Steel.co.uk|title=Campo Tenese|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Following this Sicily joined the [[Napoleonic Wars]], after the wars were won Sicily and Naples formally merged as the [[Two Sicilies]] under the Bourbons. Major [[revolutionary]] movements occurred in 1820 and 1848 against the Bourbon government with Sicily seeking independence; the second of which, the [[Sicilian revolution of independence of 1848|1848 revolution]] was successful and resulted in a sixteen month period of independence for Sicily, until the armed forces of the Bourbons regained control by May 1849.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ohiou.edu/~Chastain/rz/twosicil.htm|publisher=Ohiou.edu|title=Two Sicilies, Kingdom of, 1848-49|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
===Italian unification===
After the [[Expedition of the Thousand]] led by [[Giuseppe Garibaldi]], Sicily became part of the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]] in 1860 as part of the {{lang|it|[[Italian unification|''risorgimento'']]}}.<ref name="modern">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history3.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=The Modern Era |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The conquest started at [[Marsala]] and was finally completed with the [[Siege of Gaeta (1860)|Siege of Gaeta]] where the final Bourbons were expelled and Garibaldi announced his dictatorship in the name of [[Victor Emmanuel II of Italy|Victor Emmanuel II]] of [[Kingdom of Sardinia|Sardinia]]. An anti-Savoy revolt pushing for Sicilian independence erupted in 1866 at [[Palermo]]: this was quelled brutally by the Italians within just a week.<ref>{{ws|"[[s:Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)/Palermo|Palermo]]" in the 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia''}}</ref><ref name="modern">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history3.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=The Modern Era |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The Sicilian (and the wider ''[[mezzogiorno]]'') economy collapsed, leading to an unprecedented [[Italian diaspora|wave of emigration]].<ref name="modern">{{cite news|url=http://www.oah.org/pubs/magazine/migrations/townsend.html|publisher=OAH.org|title=Italians around the World: Teaching Italian Migration from a Transnational Perspective|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Organisations of workers and peasants known as the ''[[Fasci Siciliani]]'', who were [[Left-wing politics|leftist]] and [[separatist]] groups rose and caused the Italian government to impose martial law again in 1894.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.geocities.com/capitolHill/rotunda/2209/Sicily.html|publisher=Capitol Hill|title=Sicily|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9033791/fascio-siciliano|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=fascio siciliano|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
The [[Mafia]], a loose confederation of organised crime networks, grew in influence in the late 19th century; the [[Italian fascism|Fascist]] regime began suppressing them in the 1920s with some success.<ref name="modern">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history3.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=The Modern Era |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> There was an [[allied invasion of Sicily]] during [[World War II]] starting on [[July 10]], 1943. The invasion of Sicily was one of the causes of the [[Benito Mussolini#Replaced by Badoglio|July 25 crisis]]; in general the Allied victors were warmly embraced by the Sicilian population. <ref name="modern">{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/history3.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=The Modern Era |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Italy [[Birth of the Italian Republic|became a Republic]] in 1946 and as part of the [[Constitution of Italy]], Sicily was one of the five regions given special status as an [[autonomous region]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.grifasi-sicilia.com/regione_sicilia_gbr.html|publisher=Grifasi-Sicilia.com|title=Sicily autonomy|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Both the partial Italian [[land reform]] and special funding from the Italian government's ''[[Cassa per il Mezzogiorno]]'' (Fund for the South) from 1950 to 1984, helped the Sicilian economy improve.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-27778/Italy#319101.hook|publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|title=Italy - Land Reforms|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fcpp.org/images/publications/FB049ItalianEqualizationMarch07draft.pdf|publisher=Frontier Center for Public Policy|title=North and South: The Tragedy of Equalization in Italy|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
==Politics==
{{Main|Politics of Sicily}}
==Geography==
[[Image:Provinces of Sicily map.png|180px|thumb|right|Provinces of Sicily.]]
Sicily is directly adjacent to the Italian region of [[Calabria]], via the [[Strait of Messina]] to the east. The early Roman name for Sicily was ''[[Trinacria]]'', alluding to its triangular shape.
Sicily has been noted for two millennia as a grain-producing territory. [[Diamante citron|Citrons]], [[oranges]], [[lemons]], [[olive]]s, [[olive oil]], [[almonds]], and [[wine]] are among its other [[agricultural]] products. The [[Mining|mines]] of the [[Enna]] and [[Caltanissetta]] district became a leading [[sulfur]]-producing area in the 19th century but have declined since the 1950s.
Administratively Sicily is divided into nine provinces; [[Province of Agrigento|Agrigento]], [[Province of Caltanissetta|Caltanissetta]], [[Province of Catania|Catania]], [[Province of Enna|Enna]], [[Province of Messina|Messina]], [[Province of Palermo|Palermo]], [[Province of Ragusa|Ragusa]], [[Province of Syracuse|Syracuse]] and [[Province of Trapani|Trapani]]. Also part of various Sicilian provinces are small surrounding islands: [[Aeolian Islands]] of Messina, isle of [[Ustica]] (Palermo), [[Aegadian Islands]] (Trapani), isle of [[Pantelleria]] (Trapani) and [[Pelagian Islands]] (Agrigento).
The island of Sicily is [[Drainage|drained]] by several rivers, most of which flow through the central area and enter the sea at the south of the island. The [[Salso River]] flows through parts of Enna and Caltanissetta before entering the [[Mediterranean Sea]] at the port of [[Licata]]. To the east the [[Alcantara (river)|Alcantara]] in the province of Messina, it exits at [[Giardini-Naxos]]. The other two main rivers on the island are to the south-west with [[Belice]] and [[Acquaviva Platani|Platani]].
[[Image:Topography of Sicily.png|180px|thumb|left|[[Topography]] of Sicily.]]
Sicily and its small surrounding islands are highly significant in the area of [[volcanology]].
[[Mount Etna]] is the only [[volcano]] on mainland Sicily located in the east; with a height of 3,320 m (10,900 ft) it is the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world. As well as Etna, there are several non-volcanic [[Mountain|mountain range]]s in Sicily, Sicani to the west, Eeri in the central era and Iblei in the south-east. Across the north of Sicily there are three other mountains [[Madonie]], [[Nebrodi]] and [[Peloritani]].
The [[Aeolian Islands]] to the north-east are volcanically significant with [[Stromboli]] currently active, also in the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]] are the three dormant volcanos of [[Vulcano]], [[Vulcanello]] and [[Lipari]]. Off the Southern coast of Sicily, the underwater water volcano of [[Ferdinandea]], which is part of the larger [[Empedocles (volcano)|Empedocles]] last erupted in 1831. It is located between the coast of [[Agrigento]] and the island of [[Pantelleria]] (which itself is a dormant volcano), on the Phlegraean Fields of the [[Strait of Sicily]].
===Climate===
Sicily's position means that it enjoys a [[Mediterranean climate]] with mild to warm, wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers.
<!--Infobox begins-->{{Infobox Weather
|metric_first= Yes
|single_line= Yes
|location =Sicily
|Jan_Hi_°C =15
|Feb_Hi_°C =15
|Mar_Hi_°C =16
|Apr_Hi_°C =18
|May_Hi_°C =22
|Jun_Hi_°C =25
|Jul_Hi_°C =28
|Aug_Hi_°C =29
|Sep_Hi_°C =27
|Oct_Hi_°C =23
|Nov_Hi_°C =19
|Dec_Hi_°C =16
|Year_Hi_°C =20
|Jan_Lo_°C =10
|Feb_Lo_°C =10
|Mar_Lo_°C =11
|Apr_Lo_°C =13
|May_Lo_°C =16
|Jun_Lo_°C =20
|Jul_Lo_°C =23
|Aug_Lo_°C =24
|Sep_Lo_°C =22
|Oct_Lo_°C =18
|Nov_Lo_°C =14
|Dec_Lo_°C =11
|Year_Lo_°C =16
|Jan_Precip_mm =72
|Feb_Precip_mm =65
|Mar_Precip_mm =60
|Apr_Precip_mm =44
|May_Precip_mm =26
|Jun_Precip_mm =12
|Jul_Precip_mm =5
|Aug_Precip_mm =13
|Sep_Precip_mm =42
|Oct_Precip_mm =98
|Nov_Precip_mm =94
|Dec_Precip_mm =80
|Year_Precip_mm =611
|source = The Sicily Site<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesicilysite.com/Pages/sicily_weather.htm|publisher =TheSicilySite.com|title=Sicily weather and climate|date=[[8 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref>
|accessdate = 2008-02-19
}}
==Transport==
[[Image:Sizilien Autobahn A29DIR.jpg|180px|thumb|The A29, passing through the countryside near [[Segesta]].]]
The most prominent Sicilian roads are the [[motorways]] (known as {{lang|it|''autostrade''}}) running through the northern section of the island, this includes the A19 [[Palermo]]-[[Catania]], the A20 Palermo-[[Messina]], the A29 Palermo-[[Trapani]]-[[Mazara del Vallo]] and the [[toll road]] A18 Messina-Catania. Much of the motorway network is elevated by columns due to the mountainous terrain of the island.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.siciliaemoto.it/main.php?plc=a19palermocatania |publisher=SiciliaEMoto.it|title=A 19 autostrada Palermo - Catania|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/ita/lineestradali/autostrade/a20/a20.html|publisher=Sicilia.Indettaglio.it|title=Autostrada A20: Messina - Palermo|date=[[24 October]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.siciliaemoto.it/main.php?plc=a29palermotrapanimazara|publisher=SiciliaEMoto.it|title=A 29 autostrada Palermo - Trapani - Mazara del Vallo|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/ita/lineestradali/autostrade/a18/a18.html|publisher=Sicilia.Indettaglio.it|title=Autostrada: A18 Messina - Catania|date=[[24 October]] [[2007]]}}</ref> The Sicilian public is served by a network of [[railway]] services, linking to most major cities and towns; this service is operated by [[Trenitalia]]. There are services to [[Naples]] and [[Rome]]; this is achieved by the [[train]]s being loaded onto [[ferries]] which cross to the mainland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sicily/transport.html|publisher=ItalyHeaven.co.uk|title=Sicily Travel and Transport|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref>
Plans for a bridge linking Sicily to the mainland have been around since 1865. In the modern age, there are plans to link the railway to the mainland via the world's longest [[suspension bridge]], the [[Strait of Messina Bridge]], however planning for the project has been started, stopped and re-started during the 2000s; as of 2008 it is currently on course for planning. Some have criticised the plans particularly environmentalist Sicilians, leftists who argue the money should be spent elsewhere and the local ferry operators.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/italy/story/0,,1920199,00.html|publisher=Guardian.co.uk|title=Italian MPs kill plan to bridge Sicily and mainland|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120777463250502755.html?mod=todays_us_nonsub_page_one&apl=y&r=769642|publisher=Wall Street Journal|title=No Italian Job Takes Longer Than This Bridge|date=[[10 April]] [[2008]]}}</ref> In two of the main cities there are [[Rapid transit|underground railway]] services; these feature in the cities of Palermo and Catania.
Mainland Sicily has three [[airports]] which serve numerous European destinations; to the east is the [[Catania-Fontanarossa Airport]] which is the busiest on the island (and one of the busiest in all of Italy). Palermo hosts the [[Palermo International Airport]], which is also substantially large, the third airport actually on the island is the [[Trapani-Birgi Airport]] which is smaller. There are also two small airports on smaller islands which are considered part of Sicily; [[Lampedusa Airport]] and [[Pantelleria Airport]]. By [[sea]], Sicily is served by several [[ferry]] routes most of which are to Sicily's small surrounding islands and mainland Italy (as well as [[Sardinia]]), there is also a daily service between [[Malta]] and [[Pozzallo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://it.geocities.com/traghetti2002/sicilia.html|publisher=Traghetti Guida|title=Traghetti Sicily 2008|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.virtuferries.com/index.aspx|publisher=VirtuFerries.com|title=High speed car/passenger ferry service|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref>
==Society==
===Demographics===
{{main|List of Sicilians}}
[[Image:Uomo siciliano.jpg|111px|thumb|left|An elderly Sicilian [[farmer]] wearing the stereotypical ''[[Coppola (cap)|coppola]]''.]]
The people of Sicily are often portrayed as very proud of their island, identity and culture and it is not uncommon for people to describe themselves as the regional focusing [[Sicilian]], before the more national description of [[Italy|Italian]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://getaway.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=17000|publisher=Getaway.com.au|title=Sicily|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref> Despite the existence of major cities such as [[Palermo]], [[Catania]], [[Messina]] and [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], popular stereotypes of Sicilians commonly allude to [[rural]]ism, for example the ''[[Coppola (cap)|coppola]]'' is one of the main symbols of Sicilian identity; it is derived from the [[flat cap]] of rural [[Northern England]] which arrived in 1800 when Bourbon king [[Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies|Ferdinand I]] had fled to Sicily and was protected by the British [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art116.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=The Coppola Returns|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
[[Image:Saint Lucy, Siracusan.jpg|140px|thumb|right|[[Saint Lucy]], the most famous Sicilian woman.]]
Throughout history Sicily has had various different rulers, from various different cultures, who have contributed elements to the overall culture of the island, especially from a [[Sicilian cuisine|gastronomical]] and [[architectural]] point of view. Sicilian people tend to most closely associate themselves with other [[southern Italian]]s, who they have the most common history with. Of the ethnicities outside of Italy itself, Sicilians and other southern Italians tend to associate most closely with the [[Greeks]], especially due to the [[Magna Græcia]] and [[Greco-Roman]] cultures. This is exemplified in the saying ''"una faccia, una razza"'', meaning "one face, one race", a phrase Greeks and Southern Italians sometimes use in reference to each other.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articlevalhalla.net/travel-and-leisure/greek-italy-una-fazza-una-razza|publisher=ArticleValhalla.net|title=Greek Italy|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref> Modern methods of [[genetic testing]] show that aside from other Italians, Greeks are indeed the closest genetically,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9223254&dopt=|publisher=L.L. Cavalli-Sforza, 1997|title=Citation Genes, peoples, and languages|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref name="vona_1998">{{cite book | last = International Journal of Anthropology'', vol. 13 | title =Genetic structure of western Sicily| publisher =Springer Netherlands | url =http://www.periodicals.com/html/ihp_e.html?ei52551 | issn = 0393-9383}}</ref><ref name="rickards_1998">{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9686481&dopt=|publisher=Rickards et al, 1998|title=Genetic history of the population of Sicily|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12772214&dopt=|publisher=Francalacci et al, 2003|title=Peopling of three Mediterranean islands (Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily) inferred by Y-chromosome biallelic variability|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15322918&dopt=|publisher=DiGiacomo et al, 2004|title=Citation Y chromosomal haplogroup J as a signature of the post-neolithic colonization of Europe|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref> while other former rulers gene flows are very limited.<ref name="vona_1998">{{cite book | last = International Journal of Anthropology'', vol. 13 | title =Genetic structure of western Sicily| publisher =Springer Netherlands | url =http://www.periodicals.com/html/ihp_e.html?ei52551 | issn = 0393-9383}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10380375&dopt=|publisher=Simoni et al, 1999|title=Patterns of gene flow inferred from genetic distances in the Mediterranean region|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10510571&dopt=|publisher=Kandil et al, 1999|title=Red cell enzyme polymorphisms in Moroccans and Southern Spaniards: New data for the genetic history of the Western Mediterranean|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11543889|publisher=Scozzari et al, 2001|title=Human Y-chromosome variation in the western Mediterranean area: Implications for the peopling of the region|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?holding=npg&cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15042509&dopt=|publisher=Cruciani et al, 2004|title= Phylogeographic Analysis of Haplogroup E3b (E-M215) Y Chromosomes Reveals Multiple Migratory Events Within and Out of Africa|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2005.00224.x|publisher=Capelli et al, 2005|title= Population Structure in the Mediterranean Basin: A Y Chromosome Perspective|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
The island of Sicily itself has a population of approximately five million, and there are an additional ten million people of Sicilian descent around the world, mostly in [[North America]], [[Argentina]], [[Australia]] and other European countries. Like the rest of [[Southern Italy]], immigration to the island is very low compared to other regions of Italy because workers tend to head to [[Northern Italy]] instead, due to better employment and industrial opportunities. The most recent [[ISTAT]] figures show around 74 thousand immigrants out of the total five million population; [[Tunisians]] with 14 thousand make up the most immigrants, followed by [[Moroccans]], [[Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora|Sri Lankans]], [[Albanians]] and other [[Eastern Europe]]ans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://demo.istat.it/str2005/query.php?lingua=eng&Rip=S5&Reg=R19&Pro=P000&Com=&paese=A9999&submit=Table|publisher=ISTAT.it|title=Region: Sicilia|date=[[20 November]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
===Major settlements===
In Sicily there are fifteen cities and towns which have a population level above 50,000 people, these are;
<div style="font-size:100%">
{|
|width="10"|
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Comune
! Population (2006 est.)
|-
| [[Palermo]]
| 665,434
|-
| [[Catania]]
| 300,701
|-
| [[Messina]]
| 244,573
|-
| [[Siracusa]]
| 123,494
|-
| [[Marsala]]
| 82,378
|-
| [[Gela]]
| 77,239
|-
| [[Ragusa, Italy|Ragusa]]
| 72,419
|-
| [[Trapani]]
| 70,635
|}
|width="30"|
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Comune
! Population (2006 est.)
|-
| [[Vittoria, Italy|Vittoria]]
| 61,424
|-
| [[Caltanissetta]]
| 60,369
|-
| [[Agrigento]]
| 59,158
|-
| [[Acireale]]
| 52,830
|-
| [[Bagheria]]
| 55,283
|-
| [[Modica]]
| 54,008
|-
| [[Mazara del Vallo]]
| 51,412
|}
|}
</div>
==Culture==
=== Cuisine ===
{{main|Cuisine of Sicily}}
[[Image:Cannoli siciliani.jpg|180px|thumb|right|[[Cannoli]], a highly popular pastry associated with Sicilian cuisine.]]
The island has a long history of producing a variety of noted cuisines and [[wine]]s, to the extent that Sicily is sometimes nicknamed ''God’s Kitchen'' because of this.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaycircle.com/sundaycircle/article.aspx?id=35075|publisher=Sunday Circle|title=Our Man Abroad|date=[[24 June]] 2007}}</ref> The ingredients are typically rich in taste while remaining affordable to the general populance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=55|publisher=ItalianFoodForever.com|title=The Foods Of Sicily - A Culinary Journey|date=[[24 June]] 2007}}</ref> The savory dishes of Sicily are viewed to be [[Healthy diet|healthy]], implementing fresh vegetables and fruits, such as [[tomato]]s, [[artichoke]]s, [[olive]]s (including [[olive oil]]), [[citrus]], [[apricot]]s, [[aubergines]], [[onion]]s, [[bean]]s, [[raisin]]s commonly coupled with [[sea food]], freshly caught from the surrounding coastlines, including [[tuna]], [[sea bream]], [[European seabass|sea bass]], [[cuttlefish]], [[swordfish]], [[sardine]]s and others.<ref name="piras">{{cite book | last = Piras | first = Claudia and Medagliani, Eugenio | title =Culinaria Italy | publisher =Konemann | url =http://www.amazon.com/Culinaria-Italy-Claudia-Piras/dp/3833134461 | isbn = 978-3833134463}}</ref>
Perhaps the most well known part of Sicilian cuisine is the rich [[sweet]] dishes including [[ice cream]]s and [[Pastry|pastrie]]s. [[Cannoli]], a tube-shaped shell of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet filling usually containing [[ricotta cheese]], is in particular strongly associated with Sicily worldwide.<ref name="authentic">{{cite book
| last = Senna
| first = Luciana
| title =Authentic Sicily
| publisher =Touring Club of Italy
| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=E7BYFRh5b7oC&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=buccellato+cannoli&source=web&ots=eI-wS9E0l7&sig=j1EGw38mRzZl__Om01QutSjva0I#PPA158,M1
| isbn = 978-8836534036}}</ref> Biancomanfiare, biscotti ennesi (cookies native to [[Enna]]), braccilatte a Sicilian version of [[doughnuts]], [[buccellato]], [[ciarduna]], [[Pignoli cookies|pignoli]], [[bruccellati]], [[giuggiulena cokies|sesame seed cookies]], a sweet confection with sesame seeds and almonds ([[torrone]] in Italy) is [[cubbaita]], from the Arabic sweet [[qubbayt]], [[frutta martorana]], [[cassata]], [[pignolata]], [[granita]] and [[cuccìa]] are amongst some of the most notable sweet dishes.<ref name="authentic">{{cite book | last = Senna | first = Luciana | title =Authentic Sicily | publisher =Touring Club of Italy | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=E7BYFRh5b7oC&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=buccellato+cannoli&source=web&ots=eI-wS9E0l7&sig=j1EGw38mRzZl__Om01QutSjva0I#PPA158,M1 | isbn = 978-8836534036}}</ref>
Like the cuisine of the rest of southern Italy, [[pasta]] plays an important part in Sicilian cuisine, as does [[rice]]; for example with [[arancini]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?Display=9|publisher=FXCuisine.com|title=Arancini, the cult Sicilian dish|date=[[24 June]] 2007}}</ref> As well as using some other [[cheeses]], Sicily has spawned some of its own, using both cows and sheeps milk, such as [[Pecorino Siciliano|pecorino]] and [[caciocavallo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art87.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Sicilian Cheese|date=[[24 June]] 2007}}</ref> Spices used include [[saffron]], [[nutmeg]], [[clove]], [[pepper]], and [[cinnamon]] which were introducted by the Arabs. Although commonly associated with sea food cuisines, meat dishes including [[goose]], [[domestic sheep|lamb]], [[goat]], [[rabbit]], and [[turkey]] are also found in Sicily, it was the [[Normans]] and [[Hohenstaufen]] who first introduced a fondness for meat dishes to the island.<ref>{{cite new, s|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/food.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Sicilian Food and Wine|date=[[24 June]] 2007}}</ref>
===Arts===
Sicily has long been associated with [[the arts]]; many [[poets]], [[writers]], [[Philosophy|philosophers]], [[intellectual]]s, [[architect]]s and [[painters]] have roots on the island. The history of prestige in this field can be traced back to Greek philosopher [[Archimedes]], a [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] native who has gone on to become renowned as one of the greatest [[mathematician]]s of all time.<ref>{{cite book | last = Calinger| first = Ronald S | title =A Contextual History of Mathematics| publisher =Prentice Hall | url =http://www.amazon.com/Contextual-History-Mathematics-Ronald-Calinger/dp/0023182857| isbn =978-0023182853}}</ref> [[Gorgias]] and [[Empedocles]] are two other highly noted early Sicilian-Greek philosophers, while the Syracusan [[Epicharmus of Kos|Epicharmus]] is held to be the inventor of [[comedy]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Talfourd| first = Thomas Noon | title =History of Greek Literature|publisher = University of Michigan| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=BDJBAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA173&lpg=PA173&dq=%22invented+comedy%22+Epicharmus&source=web&ots=YLYRp8DDTJ&sig=3pAaO5PptN4IbQKcdydEk73QAO8&hl=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.greeknewsonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=3450|publisher=GreekNewsOnline.com|title=Discovering the Similarity of the Greek and Sicilian Spirit|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref> The golden age of Sicilian poetry began in the early 13th century with the [[Sicilian School]], which was highly influential. Some of the most noted figures in the area of Sicilian poetry and writing are [[Luigi Pirandello]], [[Salvatore Quasimodo]], [[Antonio Veneziano (poet)|Antonio Veneziano]] and [[Giovanni Verga]]. On the political side notable Sicilian philosophers include: [[Giovanni Gentile]] who wrote ''[[The Doctrine of Fascism]]'' and [[Julius Evola]].
[[Image:Antonello da Messina 035.jpg|thumb|150px|right|The [[Virgin Annunciate (Antonello da Messina, Palermo)|Palermo ''Annunciate'']].]]
{{cquote|''Give me a lever and a place to stand and I will move the Earth!''|20px|20px|[[Archimedes]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-30-2004-57259.asp|publisher=Buzzle.com|title=Could Archimedes have lifted the earth?|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref>}}
[[Terra cotta]] [[Ceramics (art)|ceramics]] from the island are well known, the art of ceramics on Sicily goes back to the original ancient peoples named the [[Sicani]]ans, it was then perfected during the period of Greek colonisation and is still prominent and distinct to this day.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/ceramic.htm|publisher=BestOfSicily.com|title=Sicilian Ceramic Art|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref> There are two prominent [[folk art]] traditions on Sicily, both draw heavily from [[Norman people|Norman]] influence; [[Sicilian cart]] is the painting of wooden carts with intricate decorations of scenes from the Norman romantic poems, such as ''[[The Song of Roland]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.civilization.ca/cultur/presenza/pszaz63e.html|publisher=Civilization.ca|title=Travelling in Style|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref> The same tales are told in traditional [[puppet]] [[theatres]] which feature hand-made [[wooden]] [[marionettes]], this is especially popular in [[Acireale]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.teatropupimacri.it/index_en.htm|publisher=Puppi Siciliani|title=History of our Sicilian puppets|date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref> Famous Sicilian painters include [[Renaissance]] artist [[Antonello da Messina]], [[Renato Guttuso]] and Greek born [[Giorgio de Chirico]] who is commonly dubbed the "father of [[Surrealist art]]" and founder of the [[metaphysical art]] movement.<ref>{{cite book | last = Thrall Soby | first = James | title =The Early Chirico | publisher =Ayer Co Pub | url =http://books.google.com/books?id=GtnYEBkmkIcC&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=%22father+of+surrealist+art%22&source=web&ots=4F8VZQun88&sig=HaBU3gtJ09nU2PS0Cy9C_mTZeY4#PPA92,M1 | isbn = 978-0405007361}}</ref>
[[Palermo]] hosts the [[Teatro Massimo]], which is the largest [[opera house]] in Italy and the third largest in all of [[Europe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://selectitaly.com/theater.php?product_id=6|publisher=SelectItaly.com|title=Teatro Massimo in Palermo |date=[[2 January]] [[2008]]}}</ref> Sicilian composers vary from [[Vincenzo Bellini]], [[Sigismondo d'India]], [[Giovanni Pacini]] and [[Alessandro Scarlatti]], to contemporary composers such as [[Salvatore Sciarrino]]. Many award winning and acclaimed films of Italian cinema have been filmed in Sicily, amongst the most noted of which are; [[Visconti]]'s ''"[[La Terra Trema]]"'' and ''"[[Il Gattopardo]]"'', [[Francesco Rosi|Rosi]]'s ''"[[Salvatore Giuliano (film)|Salvatore Giuliano]]"'' and [[Antonioni]]'s ''"[[L'avventura]]"''.
===Language===
{{main|Sicilian language}}
Many Sicilians are bilingual in [[Italian language|Italian]] and [[Sicilian language|Sicilian]], an entirely separate [[Romance languages|Romance language]] which is not derived from Italian and has a sizeable vocabulary with at least 250,000 words. Some of the words are [[loan word]]s with slight changes, taking influence from [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Latin language|Latin]], [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and others.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leoluca-criscione.net/HTM-DOCUMENTI/DIALetto-english%20version.htm|publisher=LeoLuca-Criscione.net|title=The Sicilian Language|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The Sicilian language is also spoken to some extent in [[Calabria]] and [[Apulia]], it had a significant influence on the [[Maltese language]]. In the modern age as Italian is taught in schools and is the language of the media, especially in some of the [[urban area]]s Sicilian is now a secondary language amongst much of the youth.
[[Image:Palermo palazzo normanni.jpg|thumb|left|180px|One of the places that hosted Frederick's ''Magna Curia''.]]
The Sicilian language was an early influence in the development of the first Italian standard, although its use remained confined to an intellectual élite. This was a literary language in Sicily created under the auspices of [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] and his court of notaries, or ''Magna Curia'', which, headed by [[Giacomo da Lentini]] also gave birth to the [[Sicilian School]], widely inspired by troubadour literature. Its linguistic and poetic heritage was later assimilated into the Florentine by [[Dante Alighieri]], the father of modern Italian who, in his {{lang|it|[[De vulgari eloquentia|''De Vulgari Eloquentia'']]}} claims that "In effect this vernacular seems to deserve a higher praise than the others, since all the poetry written by Italians can be called Sicilian".<ref>{{cite book
| last = Alighieri
| first = Dante
| authorlink = Dante Alighieri
| title =De vulgari eloquentia
| publisher =Cambridge University Press
| url =http://www.amazon.com/Dante-eloquentia-Cambridge-Medieval-Classics/dp/0521400643
| isbn = 978-0521400640}}</ref> It is in this language that appeared the first [[sonnet]], whose invention is attributed to Giacomo da Lentini himself.
There are also a couple of less common, unofficial languages spoken on the island. In around five small Palermitan villages, [[Arbëreshë]] dialect of the [[Albanian language]] has been spoken since a wave of refugees settled there in the 15th century; these people are predominantly [[Byzantine Catholic]]s and chant [[Greek language|Greek]] at local Byzantine [[liturgy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art183.htm|publisher=BestofSicily.com|title=Sicilian Peoples: The Albanians|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> There are also several [[Province of Enna|Ennese]] towns where dialects of the [[Lombard language]] of the [[Gallo-Italic]] family are spoken.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.omniglot.com/writing/lombard.htm|publisher=Omniglot.com|title=Lombard language, alphabet and pronunciation|date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Much of these two groups of people are tri-lingual, being able to also speak Italian and Sicilian.
===Sports===
[[Image:CarmeloDiBella.jpg|thumb|right|115px|Football manager [[Carmelo Di Bella]].]]
The best known and most popular sport on the island of Sicily is [[football (soccer)|football]], which was introduced in the late 1800s under the influence of the [[English people|English]]. Some of the oldest football clubs in all of Italy are Sicilian: the three most successful are [[U.S. Città di Palermo|Palermo]], [[F.C. Messina Peloro|Messina]] and [[Calcio Catania|Catania]], who have all, at some point, played in the prestigious [[Serie A]]. To date, no Sicilian side has ever won Serie A, however football is deeply embeded in local culture, all over Sicily each town has its own representative team.<ref name="derbysicil">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/11/11/sfneur11.xml|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|title= Sicilian derby takes centre stage |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
Palermo and Catania have a heated rivalry and compete in the [[Sicilian derby]] together: to date Palermo is the only Sicilian team to have played on the European stage, in the [[UEFA Cup]]. The most noted Sicilian footballer is [[Salvatore Schillaci]] who won the [[FIFA World Cup awards|Golden Boot]] at the [[1990 FIFA World Cup]] with [[Italy national football team|Italy]].<ref name="derbysicil">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/11/11/sfneur11.xml|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|title= Sicilian derby takes centre stage |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> Other noted Sicilian players include [[Giuseppe Furino]], [[Pietro Anastasi]], [[Francesco Coco]], [[Christian Riganò]] and Roberto Galia.<ref name="derbysicil">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/11/11/sfneur11.xml|publisher=Telegraph.co.uk|title= Sicilian derby takes centre stage |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> There have also been some noted managers from the island, such as [[Carmelo Di Bella]] and [[Franco Scoglio]].
Although football is by far the most popular sport in Sicily, the island also has participants in other fields. [[Amatori Catania]] compete in the top Italian national [[rugby union]] league called [[Super 10 (Italian premiership)|Super 10]], they have even participated at European level in the [[European Challenge Cup]]. Competing in the [[basketball]] variation of [[Serie A (basketball)|Serie A]] is [[Orlandina Basket]] from [[Capo d'Orlando]] in the [[province of Messina]], the sport has a reasonable following. Various other sports which are played to some extent includes [[volleyball]], [[Team handball|handball]] and [[water polo]]. Previously, in [[motorsport]] Sicily held the prominent [[Targa Florio]] sports car race, that took place in the Madonie Mountains, with the start-finish line in [[Cerda]].<ref name="targa">{{cite news|url=http://www.porsche.com/all/targaflorio/international.aspx|publisher=Porsche.com|title=Targa Florio 1906-1977 |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref> The event was started in 1906 by Sicilian industrialist and automobile enthusiast [[Vincenzo Florio]], and ran until it was cancelled due to safety concerns in 1977.<ref name="targa">{{cite news|url=http://www.porsche.com/all/targaflorio/international.aspx|publisher=Porsche.com|title=Targa Florio 1906-1977 |date=[[7 October]] 2007}}</ref>
==World Heritage Sites==
[[Noto]], [[Ragusa, Italy|Ragusa]], and particularly [[Acireale]] contain some of Italy's best examples of [[Baroque]] architecture, carved in the local red [[sandstone]].
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
== Further reading ==
* Fabio Spadi (2001) [http://iclq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/411 "The Bridge on the Strait of Messina: 'Lowering' the Right of Innocent Passage?"] ''International and Comparative Law Quarterly'' 50: 411 ff.
* Mary Spicuzza (2004) [http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/sicily0404/intro.html "Sicily: A Bridge Too Far?"] PBS Frontline/World Fellows.
* "From Rome to Sicily: Plane or Train?" [http://travelqa.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/sicily/ Expert Travel Advice, The New York Times, Feb. 7, 2008] The New York Times.
==See also==
{{portal}}
{{Commons|Sicily}}
* [[Sicilian Defence]]
== External links ==
* {{it icon}} [http://www.regione.sicilia.it/ Sicily Region — Official website]
* {{it icon}} [http://www.siciliasud.it/ virtual tour]
{{Template group
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{{Sicily}}
{{Non-sovereign territories of Europe}}
{{Regions of Italy}}
}}
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[[Category:Sicily| ]]
[[Category:Islands of Italy]]
[[Category:Islands of Sicily]]
[[Category:Mediterranean islands]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Former countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Wine regions of Italy]]
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