Province of Syracuse

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Province of Syracuse
Provincia di Siracusa
Province
Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Map highlighting the location of the province of Syracuse in Italy
Map highlighting the location of the province of Syracuse in Italy
Country  Italy
Region  Sicily
Capital(s) Syracuse
Comuni 21
Government
 • Commissioner Alessandro Giacchetti
Area
 • Total 2,109 km2 (814 sq mi)
Population (2013)
 • Total 404,847
 • Density 190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 96100, 96010-96019
Telephone prefix 0931, 095
Vehicle registration SR
ISTAT 089

The Province of Syracuse (Italian: Provincia di Siracusa ; Sicilian: Pruvincia di Sarausa) is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Syracuse, a town which was established by Greek colonists arriving from Corinth in the eighth century B.C.[1] It has an area of 2,109 square kilometres (814 sq mi) and a total population of 404,847 (2013).[2] Syracuse has 8% of the Sicilian population and 8.2% of Sicily's area.

Geography and heritage

Provinces of Sicily map.png

The Province of Syracuse lies in the southeastern Sicily, in southwestern Italy. It is bordered to the north and north-west by the Province of Catania to the west by the Province of Ragusa, and to the east and south by the Ionian and Mediterranean seas. It occupies an area of 2,109 square kilometres (814 sq mi). In 2002, ancient centres of Noto, Palazzolo Acreide and six other towns in the Noto Valley, were awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and is a significant attraction due to its historical, architectural, artistic and archaeological interest. The towns are particularly dense with late Baroque architecture, dates to the immense rebuilding of the towns which took place after the 1693 earthquake which devastated Sicily.[3] The capital of Syracuse is an important road and rail hub of Sicily. The Park of Neapolis on the island of Ortygia is connected by three bridges to the mainland.[4] The island contains the Maniace Castle, dated to the Swabian period and the Doric Temple of Athena, which was renovated by the Normans.[4]

The Iblei Mountains are the dominant mountain range in the province, sloping down to a coastline which contains stretches of white sandy beaches, cliffs, bays, and islets.[4] The coast to the south of Syracuse contains numerous protected areas, such as the Area Marina Protetta del Plemmirio, the Riserva Naturale Orientara Cavagrande between Cassibile and Avola, and the Riserva Naturale Orientata faunistica di Vendicar, north of Pachino.[5] Within the province lies Lago di Lentini, the largest lake in Sicily,[6] and reputedly the largest artificial lake in Europe, which supports a marshland habitat with over 150 different species.[7]

Towns

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Main article: Comuni of the Province of Syracuse

There are 21 comuni (or municipalities) in the province.[2] The most populated as of 2001 were:

Commune Population
Syracuse 123,115
Augusta 33,818
Avola 31,576
Lentini 24,409
Noto 23,367
Floridia 21,565
Pachino 21,477
Rosolini 20,997
Carlentini 17,245
Francofonte 12,619
Melilli 12,618
Priolo Gargallo 11,991
Sortino 8,924

References

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External links

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