| Pelagie Islands | |
_-_Lampedusa_-_2.jpg/250px-Rabbit_islet_(Isola_dei_Conigli)_-_Lampedusa_-_2.jpg) | |
Location  | |
| State | Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Sicily |
| Capital | Lampedusa |
| Surface | 25.48 km² |
| Inhabitants | 6374 (2011) |
Pelagie Islands are an archipelago of the Sicily.
To know
Geographical notes
The Pelagie Islands are a protected area administratively linked to the province of Agrigento. The total area covers 4,136 hectares on three islands geographically closer to Africa than to Sicily. Lampedusa is the largest of the three islands with a population of 6,000, while only 400 people live in Linosa and Lampione is uninhabited. The highest point of the three islands is in Linosa; it has volcanic origins and is consequently called Monte Vulcano (186 m).
Flora and fauna
Due to their geographical position in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, the Pelagie Islands are a place where flora and fauna of the warmer eastern and western waters, influenced by the Atlantic currents, meet.
The maquis (typical Mediterranean vegetation) has disappeared. Nowadays, the most common form of steppe vegetation is undergrowth with daffodil (Asteraceae) and the scilla. The vegetation of the coast is characterized by vast fields of sea lavender (Limonium lopadusanum). A jewel is there Caralluma europaea, a North African plant that looks like a cactus and which in Europe is found only in Lampedusa and in the south of Spain. The North African cornflower (Centaurea acaulis) thrives in Lampedusa.
The fauna of Lampedusa is clearly influenced by North Africa. So there is the whip snake (Coluber) and the lizard Psammodromus algrius on the island of Rabbits. Eleonora's Falcon nest on the rocks (Falco eleonorae), the Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides), the rare Crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and the herring gull (Larus michahellis). There is a great variety of insects such as the Pamphagus ortolaniae , a large wingless grasshopper, and the beetle Julodis onopordi. On the beach of Conigli the Caretta caretta sea turtle lays its eggs in early summer. Tourism is a serious threat to the survival of this animal.
When to go
The Pelagie Islands have an arid climate all year round. Rain is an event and desert conditions ensure constant days of bright sunshine in all seasons. Temperatures of 35 ° C are common from May to October. From November to April, the climate is milder, although generally warm, and daytime temperatures of 17 ° C to 25 ° C are experienced.
Background
The name "Pelagie" (in Greek Pelaghiè, or 'Islands of the high seas'), betrays its origins as a Greek island in the Mediterranean. Phoenicians, Saracens, Romans and Greeks presumably used the islands as landing places for Mediterranean crossings in ancient times. There are only echoes of this history as there is only very little archaeological evidence left.
Territories and tourist destinations
Pelagie Islands: full screen map.Other destinations
- 1 Lampedusa - Lampedusa is rocky and flat and has an area of 21 km², a circumference of 33.3 km and reaches its maximum height (133 m) on the Albero del Sole where you can see the islet of Lampione. There are many boats in the harbor because fishing is the main source of income. Further along the coves there are mainly small villages such as Cala Greca, Cala Galera and Cala Pulcino. On the south side is the small island of the Rabbit where you can wade through the crystal clear water. Coniglio beach is the best beach on the island. It can be quite crowded in the summer. It is possible to rent deck chairs and umbrellas. From the port of Lampedusa it is possible to make excursions by boat.
- 2 Street lamp - Lampione is a small uninhabited island with steep cliffs. There is a lighthouse on the island. Lampione is a protected nature reserve. The underwater flora and fauna are spectacular, so it is a paradise for divers. In Lampedusa it is possible to book a diving tour on the island. The waters of Lampione are the habitat of many sharks. The great white shark can also be found here.
- 3 Linosa - Linosa is a small volcanic island of just over 5 km². It consists of black rocks, formed from basalt, on which a small village is built. The village consists of a series of pastel-colored houses around the harbor. There are three quadrangular craters on the island: Mt. Rosso, Mt. Nerone and Mount Vulcano with a height of 195 meters. There is very little to do on Linosa. Here people come to rest or to dive. Boat trips are offered from the port.
How to get
By plane
L'Lampedusa airport operates direct flights with Palermo.
Daily night ferries depart from Porto Empedocle in Sicily and during the summer a hydrofoil service operated by Siremar.
How to get around
What see
What to do
At the table
In Lampedusa all the restaurants and pizzerias are at a good level of quality, and the prices are more or less the same as in the rest of Italy. The fish is always fresh and very tasty. Some pizzerias don't prepare any other dishes besides pizza, so ask if you want anything else.
Drinks
The Give them away it is one of the most famous white wines of Sicily and is recommended with fish dishes. Also Fugata Woman it can be a good choice. The price for a quality white wine is 12-15 € in restaurants and 7-10 € in supermarkets and shops.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Pelagie Islands
Commons contains images or other files on Pelagie Islands
