Sicily

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of Italy. It sits at the toe of Italy's boot-shaped peninsula. Sicily is home to Mount Etna, the tallest and most active volcano in Europe. The island has a rich history going back thousands of years with Greek temples, Roman villas, and Norman castles.

Land and People

About 5 million people live in Sicily. The capital is Palermo. Mount Etna towers over the eastern coast at about 10,900 feet tall. The island has a warm climate with hot summers perfect for growing oranges, lemons, and grapes.

Culture and Fun Facts

Sicily has been ruled by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and many others throughout history. Each group left its mark on the food, buildings, and culture. Sicilian food is famous worldwide, including pasta alla Norma, arancini, and cannoli. The Valley of the Temples near Agrigento has some of the best-preserved Greek temples outside of Greece.

Fun Facts

• Mount Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and has been erupting for about 500,000 years.
• Sicily has ancient Greek temples that are better preserved than many temples in Greece itself.
• Cannoli, the famous tube-shaped pastry filled with cream, was invented in Sicily.

Did You Know?

Mount Etna on Sicily is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It erupts so often that people living nearby are used to seeing lava and ash. The rich volcanic soil makes the farmland around it very fertile.