Figure 1.--This photo was taken in Palermo, Sicily, probably during the very early-20th century. Notice the horse-drawn carriage. We think the children with short hair wearing dresses are girls, but we are not positive.

The two most important Italian islands are Sicily and Sardinia. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, it is easily recognized by is triangular shape, rugged mountainous terrain, fertile plains, and the Mount Etna, an active volcano. Sicily is not only large, but located in he middle of the Mediterranean, making it a]hugely strategic. And as a result, the island has played an important role in European history. The history of Sicily is essentially the history of Western civilization. It is a large island and dominates the central Mediterranean. A glance at the map shows that Sicily is the key to the Mediterranean. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean and controls movement between the eastern and western Mediterranean. For this reason it has been one of the most fought over island in the world. Sicily is especially important in Italian history. Sicily featured prominently in the Peloponesian War. It was also an important battleground in the First Punic War. With the Roman conquest it became thoroughly italianized. Both as well as Corsica were acquired by the Romans in the Punic Wars. Sicily became associated with Naples in the medieval period, becoming part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. While northern Italians emigrated to Argentina and Brazil in the late 19th century, southern Italians and Sicilians at the turn-of-the 20th century emigrated to America. Many Sicilians joined the Italian emigration to America beginning with them along other things, pizza and the Mafia. Unlike most other immigrant groups, quite a number of Italians including Sicilians returned home. The island played a role in the naval struggle between Italy and Britain for control of the Mediterranean (1940-41). And because of its strategic location, the Allies invaded (July 1943). The Sicilian campaign was unusual in that so many Sicilians had either been to America or had relatives in America. By the time of Italian unification (1860s, northern Italy was developing a modern industrial economy, but southern Italy and Sicily was economically depressed.

Geography

The two most important Italian islands are Sicily and Sardinia. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, it is easily recognized by is triangular shape, rugged mountainous terrain, fertile plains, and then towering Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Sicily is not only large, but located in the middle of the Mediterranean, making it hugely strategic. It is located about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Tunisia (northern Africa). But is only separated from the mainland area of Calabria by the narrow Strait of Messina (2 miles) wide in the north and 10 miles [16 km] wide in the South). It is like a giant stopper in the mid-Mediterranean, creating two choke points to transit. Sicily’s landscape is characterized by coastline cliffs, inland hills, fertile plains, and volcanic terrains. Sicily is drained by quite a number of small rivers. Most of the rivers originate from the mountains and flow into the Mediterranean Sea. Salso is the longest river on the island and drains into the sea near Licata port. . Simeto, which drains into the Ionian Sea, is the second-longest river. Other major rivers include Belice, Dittaino, Platani, and Gornalunga. The Allies during World War II invaded along the southern coast. Two coastal roads, the eastern and northern would channel the fight for the islands, primarily because they both led to Messina, the port the Germans after a delaying action were retreating toward to escape back to the mainland.

History

As a result of the island's geography, Sicily has played an important role in European history. It is no only a land shaped by geography, but also thousands of years of cultural exchanges — from ancient Greeks and Romans to Arabs and Normans. The capital city, Palermo, is known for architectural contrasts and bustling markets. The history of Sicily is essentially the history of Western civilization. It is a large island and dominates the central Mediterranean. A glance at the map shows that Sicily is the key to the Mediterranean. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean and controls movement between the eastern and western Mediterranean. For this reason it has been one of the most fought over island in the world. Sicily is especially important in Italian history. Sicily featured prominently in the Peloponesian War. It was also an important battleground in the First Punic War. With the Roman conquest it became thoroughly italianized. Both as well as Corsica were acquired by the Romans in the Punic Wars. Sicily became associated with Naples in the medieval period, becoming part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The island played a role in the naval struggle between Italy and Britain for control of the Mediterranean (1940-41). And because of its strategic location, the Allies invaded (July 1943). The Sicilian campaign was unusual in that so many Sicilians had either been to America or had relatives in America.

Emigration

While northern Italians emigrate to Argentina and Brazilian the late 19th century, southern Italians and Sicilians at the turn-of-the 20th century emigrated to America. Many Sicilians joined the Italian emigration to America beginning with them along other things, pizza and the Mafia. Unlike most other immigrant groups, quote a number of Italians including Sicilians returned home.

Economy

By the time of Italian unification (1860s), northern Italy was developing a modern industrial economy, but southern Italy and Sicily was economically depressed.

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Created: 12:05 AM 5/16/2010
Last updated: 6:17 AM 5/3/2026