1. The Italian region on the island of Sicily; Also called: Sicilia.
2. The largest island in the Mediterranean; Also called: Sicilia.
(Italian Sicilia) The largest Mediterranean island, an autonomous region of Italy; area 25,700 sq km/9,920 sq mi; Its capital is Palermo, and towns include the ports of Catania, Messina, Syracuse, and Marsala. It exports Marsala wine, olives, citrus, refined oil and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, potash, asphalt, and marble. The region also includes the islands of Lipari, Egadi, Ustica, and Pantelleria. Etna, 3,323 m/10,906 ft high, is the highest volcano in Europe; its last major eruption was in 1971.
Conquered by most of the major powers of the ancient world, Sicily flourished under the Greeks who colonized the island during the 8th–5th centuries BC. It was invaded by Carthage and became part of the Roman empire 241 BC–AD 476. In the Middle Ages it was ruled successively by the Arabs; the Normans 1059–1194, who established the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (that is, Sicily and the southern part of Italy); the German emperors; and then the Angevins, until the popular revolt known as the Sicilian Vespers 1282. Spanish rule was invited and continued in varying forms, with a temporary displacement of the Spanish Bourbons by Napoleon, until Garibaldi’s invasion 1860 resulted in the two Sicilies being united with Italy 1861. In World War II Sicily was the launch point for the Allied invasion of Italy 1943.