Sicily
Sicily
Sicily (pronunciation: /ˈsɪsɪli/; Italian: Sicilia [siˈtʃiːlja]; Sicilian: Sicilia [sɪˈʃiːlja]) is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 20 regions of Italy. It is one of the five Italian autonomous regions and is officially referred to as Regione Siciliana.
Etymology
The etymology of Sicily is derived from the ancient Greek word Sikelia, which is the name the Greeks used for the island. The word itself may have originated from the indigenous Sicilian people known as the Sicels.
Geography
Sicily is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula, from which it is separated by the narrow Strait of Messina. Its most prominent landmark is Mount Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe, and one of the most active in the world.
History
Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, and architecture. It also holds importance for archaeological and ancient sites such as the Valley of the Temples, the Villa Romana del Casale, and Selinunte.
Language
The official language is Italian, however, Sicilian is also widely spoken. Sicilian is a Romance language that took much of its initial vocabulary from Latin, with Greek, Arabic, French, Provençal, German, Catalan, Spanish and other languages contributing words as well.
Related Terms
- Mount Etna
- Strait of Messina
- Valley of the Temples
- Villa Romana del Casale
- Selinunte
- Italian language
- Sicilian language
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sicily
- Wikipedia's article - Sicily
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