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Sicily Facts & Worksheets

Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and one of Italy’s 20 regions.

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Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and one of Italy’s 20 regions. It is one of the five autonomous regions of Italy, known officially as Regione Siciliana, and is located in Southern Italy together with nearby small islands.

See the fact file below for more information on Sicily, or you can download our 29-page Sicily worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GEOGRAPHY

  • Sicily was given the name Trinacria (Greek, which means three-pointed) due to its nearly triangular form. 
  • The Strait of Messina separates Sicily from Calabria and the rest of the Italian mainland to the northeast. 
  • The majority of Sicily’s inland is hilly and intensively cultivated wherever possible. The Madonie, Nebrodi, and Peloritani mountain ranges are extensions of the continental Apennines that run along the north. Mount Etna’s cone dominates the eastern coast. Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano, and its constant eruptions continue to spew black ash over the island.
  • Sicily’s neighboring islands are the Aegadian Islands, the Aeolian Islands, Pantelleria, and Lampedusa.
  • Many rivers drain Sicily, the majority of which flows through the central section into the sea to the south. Some are the Salso,  Alcantara, Simeto,  Belice, Dittaino, Gornalunga, Gela, and Platani rivers.

CLIMATE

  • Sicily’s climate is typical of the Mediterranean, with moderate wet winters and blistering dry summers, as well as very varied transitional seasons. The African currents influence the climate around the coasts.
  • Sicily has mild winters. Snow falls above 900-1,000 meters. However, it can also fall in the hills. A full mountain climate with large winter snowfalls prevails in the interior mountains, especially the Nebrodi, Madonie, and Etna. From October through May, Mount Etna’s top is regularly snow-capped.
  • During summer, the sirocco, or Saharan wind, is not uncommon. Rainfall is sparse, and water is in short supply in some provinces, where a water crisis can occur.
  • Total precipitation varies greatly and generally increases with elevation. The southern and southeast coasts receive the least rainfall, while the northern and northeastern highlands receive the most.

FLORA AND FAUNA

  • There are three important forests in Northern Sicily: around Mount Etna, in the Nebrodi Mountains, and the Bosco della Ficuzza Natural Reserve. 
  • The Nebrodi Mountains Regional Park is Sicily’s largest protected natural area, containing the Caronia, the island’s largest forest. 
  • The Hundred Horse Chestnut at Sant’Alfio, on Mount Etna’s eastern slopes, is the largest and oldest known tree.
  • Sicily has diverse flora and wildlife. Among the species are the crested porcupine, Vipera aspis, common toad, fox, roe deer, golden eagle, pine marten, wild boar, hedgehog, and black-winged stilt.
  • Many birds and marine life, including larger species such as flamingos and fin whales, live in the nearby waterways, particularly the Strait of Messina.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • Sicily is a cultural and ethnic blending zone, with the original Italic people, the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Aragonese, Lombards, Spaniards, French, and Albanians, all adding to the island’s culture and genetic makeup. It has a population of about 4 to 5 million, making it one of the most populous regions in Italy.
  • Roman Catholicism is the largest religious denomination in Sicily, and the church remains a significant part of most people’s life.

POLITICS AND DIVISION

  • Sicily’s politics operate within the context of presidential representative democracy, with the President of Regional Government serving as the head of government and a pluriform multi-party system. 
  • The Regional Government wields executive power. Both the administration and the Sicilian Regional Assembly have legislative authority. 
  • Sicily is divided into nine provinces, each having a capital city bearing the same name as the province. 
  • Palermo is the capital of Sicily.

ECONOMY

  • Due to volcanic eruptions, Sicily has long been known for its fertile soil. The island’s mild climate also benefits local agriculture. Wheat, citrons, oranges, lemons, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, artichokes, prickly pear, almonds, grapes, pistachios, and wine are the main agricultural products.
  • Sicily is Italy’s third-largest wine producer. It is best renowned for its fortified Marsala wines. It has developed recently, with new winemakers experimenting with lesser-known native varietals.
  • Nero d’Avola, named after a little town near Syracuse, is the most well-known local varietal; the best wines from these grapes come from Noto, a famous old city near Avola. 
  • Sicily is also well known for its liqueurs, including limoncello and Caltanissetta’s Amaro Averna.
  • Another important resource for Sicily is fishing. There are significant tuna, sardines, swordfish, and anchovy fisheries. Mazara del Vallo is Sicily’s largest fishing port and one of the most important in Italy.
  • Improvements to Sicily’s road system have aided industrial development. There are three major industrial districts in the region: Catania Industrial District, which has offices and factories of worldwide firms such as STMicroelectronics and Numonyx; Syracuse Petrochemical District, which includes chemical plants, oil refineries, and major power plants; and the most recent Enna Industrial District, which provides food industry.
  • Palermo is home to shipyards and mechanical factories for well-known Italian corporations such as Ansaldo Breda, as well as the publishing and textile sectors. 
  • Chemical industries are found in the provinces of Messina and Caltanissetta. Petroleum, natural gas, and asphalt reserves are found in the Southeast, while enormous halite deposits are found in Central Sicily. 
  • Trapani Province is one of Italy’s top sea salt producers.

TOURISM

  • Sicily’s sunny, dry environment, scenery, food, history, and architecture draw visitors from all over the world. 
  • The summer months are the busiest for tourists, but people visit the island all year. 
  • The Aeolian Islands, Erice, Castellammare del Golfo, Cefalù, Agrigento, the Pelagie Islands, and Capo d’Orlando are among the most popular tourist destinations, as are cities such as Palermo and Ragusa.
  • Sicily offers a variety of ancient sites, including some of the most renowned and well-preserved Greek temples and other structures. 
  • There are also hundreds of castles in Sicily, the most notable of which are: the Castle of the Counts of Modica, Zisa Castle, and Castello Ursino.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

  • Valle dei Templi, 1997. Located in Agrigento, one of the most spectacular representations of Greater Greece art and architecture, as well as one of Sicily’s major attractions and an Italian national monument.
  • Villa Romana del Casale, 1997. A Roman villa built during the 4th century, it has the world’s richest, largest, and most intricate collection of Roman mosaics.
  • Aeolian Islands, 2000. This volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea is named after the wind god Aeolus. The Aeolian Islands are a popular summer tourist attraction, attracting up to 200,000 tourists every year.
  • Val di Noto Late Baroque Villages, 2002. “Represent the climax and ultimate blossoming of European Baroque art.” Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, and Scicli are among the towns included.
  • Pantalica Necropolis, 2005. A vast Sicilian necropolis in southeast Sicily, it contains rock-cut chamber tombs. There were around 5,000 tombs ranging from the 13th to the 7th centuries BCE. 
  • Mount Etna, 2013. One of the most active volcanoes in the world, with myths, tales, and naturalistic observations dating back to Greek, Celt, and Roman classic and medieval times.

CULTURE

Arts

  • Sicily has always been connected with the arts; it is home to many poets, writers, philosophers, intellectuals, architects, and artists. 
  • The art of pottery in Sicily dates back to the ancient people known as the Sicanians. Caltagirone is now one of Sicily’s most prominent centers for the creative production of ceramics and terracotta sculptures. 

Cuisine

  • Sicily has a history of producing a wide range of notable cuisines. Every region has its specialty. Sicily’s savory dishes are regarded as healthy, utilizing fresh vegetables and fruits, frequently paired with freshly caught seafood from the surrounding coastline.
  • The rich sweet foods, such as ice cream and pastries, are the most well-known aspect of Sicilian cuisine. 
  • Pasta is essential in Sicilian cuisine, as is rice. Sicily has produced several kinds of cheeses, such as pecorino and caciocavallo, using both cow’s and sheep’s milk. 
  • Although Sicilian cuisine is typically associated with seafood, it also includes meat dishes such as goose, goat, rabbit, and turkey. 

Festivals

  • Each town and city has its patron saint. Feast days are celebrated with colorful processions through the streets, marching bands, and fireworks displays. The Misteri, for example, is a daylong procession of passion, including twenty floats made of lifelike sculptures made of wood, canvas, and glue.
  • Sicilians also enjoy outdoor festivals, which are hosted in the town square or piazza and feature live music and dancing on stage, as well as food markets, or sagre, put up in booths lining the plaza.

Traditional Items

  • Sicilian carts are elegant, colorful horse or donkey-drawn carts. It has two wheels and consists largely of wood with iron components.
  • The Sicilian coppola is a type of flat cap traditionally worn by men in Sicily. The tascu, which was first worn by English nobles in the late 18th century, became popular in Sicily in the early 20th century as a driving cap, usually worn by car drivers. It is now widely recognized as the ultimate sign of Sicilian heritage.

Regional Symbols

  • Flags, carts, views, and physical characteristics are among the cultural icons and regional symbols found in Sicily.
  • The Sicilian Flag was initially used in 1282. The trinacria (triskelion) at its center, the head of Medusa, and three wheat ears distinguish it. 
  • The three bent legs represent the three points of Sicily. The colors signify Palermo and Corleone, both renowned agricultural cities of the period. 
  • It was finally designated as the Regione Siciliana’s official public flag in January 2000, following the passage of an appropriate regional law mandating its usage on public buildings, schools, and city halls.

Sicily Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Sicily across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Sicily. Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and one of Italy’s 20 regions.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Sicily Facts 
  2. Sicily!
  3. Around Sicily
  4. Faun-A-Clues
  5. Regione Siciliana
  6. Let’s Talk About Wine
  7. Odd One Out
  8. Heritage Zone
  9. The Sicilian Flag
  10. Tourist Time
  11. From: Sicily

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sicily located?

Sicily is an island located in the Mediterranean Sea, to the south of the Italian mainland.

What is the capital of Sicily?

The capital of Sicily is Palermo, which is located on the north coast of the island.

What are some famous landmarks or attractions in Sicily?

Sicily is home to a number of famous landmarks and attractions, including Mount Etna (an active volcano), the Valley of the Temples (an archaeological site with ancient Greek ruins), the Cathedral of Monreale (a stunning cathedral with intricate mosaics), and the town of Taormina (known for its beautiful beaches and ancient Greek theater).

What is the cuisine like in Sicily?

Sicilian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Some famous dishes include pasta alla Norma (pasta with eggplant, tomato sauce, and ricotta salata cheese), arancini (fried rice balls), and cannoli (a sweet pastry filled with ricotta cheese).

What languages are spoken in Sicily?

The official language of Sicily is Italian, but Sicilian, a distinct Romance language, is also widely spoken on the island. Additionally, some people in Sicily may also speak other languages, such as English or Arabic.

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Link will appear as Sicily Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, June 21, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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