Province of Agrigento

Province of Agrigento
Province
Monte delle Rose (IT), Mountain of Roses (EN), Muntagna de Rosi (Sicilian), Mali i Trëndafilët (Arbëreshe)
Coat of arms
Map highlighting the location of the province of Agrigento in Italy
Coordinates:37°19′N13°35′E
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Capital(s)	Agrigento
Comuni	43
Government
• President	Eugenio D'Orsi
Area
• Total	3,042 km2(1,175 sq mi)
Population (30 June 2009)
• Total	454,370
• Density	150/km2(390/sq mi)
GDP
• Total	€6.558 billion (2015)
• Per capita	€14,690 (2015)
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code	92100, 92010-92029
Telephone prefix	0922, 0925
Vehicle registration	AG
ISTAT	084
Website	www.provincia.agrigento.it

Theprovince of Agrigento(Italian:provincia di Agrigento;Sicilian:pruvincia di Girgenti) is aprovincein the autonomous island region ofSicily,Italy, situated on its south-western coast. Following the suppression of the Sicilian provinces, it was replaced in 2015 by thefree municipal consortium of Agrigento(Italian:libero consorzio comunale di Agrigento). It has an area of 3,041.90 square kilometres (1,174.48 sq mi), and a total population of 474,493.There are 43comuni(sg.:comune) in the province.

History and location

It is surrounded byprovince of Palermoin the north,Trapaniin the west,Mediterranean Seain the south, andCaltanissettain the east. Gela inhabitants founded the province in the 6th century BC as Akragas. Carthage destroyed the province in 406 BC, but it was later ruled by the Romans, Goths, Byzantines, and Arabs. The Arabs rebuilt several parts of the province. Several ancient Doric temples were constructed during the 6th and 5th century BC to worship Hercules, Jupiter, Juno, Castor, Pollux, and Demeter. They are located in theValley of Temples(Italian:Valle dei Templi).The ancient temples and other architectural structures were built using the stones of the hills near Capo San Marco.

Places

Here below are listed the towns of the province with more than 10,000 inhabitants:

• Agrigento(58,273);
• Sciacca(40,068);
• Licata(36,113);
• Canicattì(35,530);
• Favara(31,751);
• Palma di Montechiaro(22,262);
• Ribera(18,492);
• Porto Empedocle(16,300);
• Raffadali(12,550);
• Menfi(12,262);
• Ravanusa(11,108).

Agrigento is the birthplace of the noted writerLuigi Pirandelloand the philosopherEmpedocles.According to the government records the number of unemployed people is about 17% of the total labour force.The province faces theChannel of Sicilyin the south and is known for its beaches. Torre Salsa's beaches have been designated natural reserves and are protected due to their environmental importance.

Wine production

The province is well known for its vineyards and wines. The total area covered by vineyards in 1984 was almost triple to that in 1949.During this periodMarsalabased wine merchants used the grapes produced in the province to produceMarsala wine.In 1984 the local government passed a law that regulated this practice.Around three-quarters of the Sicilian land devoted to growingFianograpes is in the province.Some of the important municipalities known for their vineyards includeSambuca di Sicilia,Menfi, andSanta Margherita di Belice.

Transportation

The road network in the province comprises 540 km. of street roads, 1,000 km. of provincial roads, 260 km. of communal roads and 56 km. of regional roads. 55% of the total rail network is suitable for electric trains.

See also

• Sulfur mining in Sicily

Bibliography

• Nesto, Bill; Savino, Frances Di (2013).The World of Sicilian Wine.University of California Press.ISBN978-0-520-95507-3.