Travel: Sicily

The region of Sicily is hightlighted above in red

Sicilia is one of the islands off of the mainland of Italy and now part of Italy, though it was once its own country.  Sicily is famous many things, among which its miniature donkey, rabbit hunting and lemons that look like huge limes, in addition to the blood oranges.  Blood oranges look like regular tangerines on the outside, but on the inside they are bright and deep red, redder than pink grapefruit.  The juice takes more like fruit punch and they are considerably more expensive than regular oranges.

Palermo is the main city & historical capital of Sicily.  You can see many Arabic influences here and this region once had over 300 mosques.  You can also find influences of the Normans, Spaniards and the Greeks in Sicily.

The Mafia:  People have dilusions of Mafia inhabitance like it is the old west in the USA.  Yes, the mafia exists, but its a silent secret society.  What you need to worry about more than mafia shootouts are the Caribineiri (police) looking for those who violate tax evation.  So if you go into a shop, be sure that even if you buy a pastry or a pack of gum you take a reciept with you.  You should hold on to it until you are back at your hotel or place where you are sleeping that evening, so you do not get a fine.

One site to see is Mt. Etna, Europe's biggest and most active volcano.  It erupts every 3 years or so.  Also in this region is Taormina, what I personally consider the most romantic place in the world (from what I have seen).  Here you will also find the world's most dramatically situated theatre built by the Greeks.  It over looks the island of Sicily high up in the mountains, overlooking the sea.

Basic Facts:
Sicily was once called Trinacria in the ancient world, because of its triangular shape
It is the largest Mediterranean island.
Sicily is less than 2 miles from the mainland, closest to the region of Calabria
Sicily is 9,935 Square Miles and is divided into 7 provinces
Temperatures can rise to as high as 95F in the Summer
Agriculture is the main export of Sicily, grapes for some of Italy's finest wines, olives and sulpher mining.
Approximately 4 million people live on the island of Sicily
The illeteracy rate is approximately 71%
In its 3000+ Year history, Sicily has been ruled by the Phonecians; Greeks, Arabs, French, Spaniards, Byzantines and Romans

Regions of Sicily
Agrigento
Caltanissetta
Catania
Enna
Messina
Palermo (Capitol)
Ragusa
Siracusa
Trapani

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