Linosa

Linosa is the northernmost of the three Pelagie Islands in the Mediterranean.

Location and data

The island is about 5 square kilometers and is located 170 km south of Sicily, 160 km east of Tunisia and 140 kilometers west of Malta. It is dominated by three extinct volcanic craters: Monte Vulcano (195 m), Monte Rosso ( 186 m) and Monte Nero ( 107 m).

The island belongs to the municipality of Lampedusa e Linosa in the Italian province of Agrigento in Sicily. Currently 490 people live on Linosa ( 2007).

Flora and Fauna

Compared to the neighboring islands of Lampedusa and Lampione (45 km and 60 km south-west located ) is Linosa rich in vegetation. Here grow especially mastic trees, cacti and some endemic plants such as the Valantia calva, which is only available on Linosa.

In the fish-rich waters and turtles who take on the beaches of the island their eggs live. In order to protect the endangered species and to increase the stocks again, in 2002 large parts of the island were put under protection ( Riserva Naturale Isola di Linosa Orientata e Lampione ).

History

Linosa was already known in antiquity, but mainly inhabited and received in the course of its history various names (eg Aithusa ). In Roman times it was used as a base for ships of the slave traders, and later the pirates.

The name of the island of Linosa received by Captain Bernardo Maria Sanvinsente, 1845 was commissioned by Ferdinand II with about 40 men and women in the country to colonize the island. At that time the settlers lived in caves and used the old Roman cisterns for water collection. They lived by farming and fishing.

In the 1960s, a telephone cord from Sicily in accordance Linosa, built a power station and opened a school in 1973, a desalination plant was installed.

Economy and Transport

Economic basis of the residents are still fishing and agriculture. On the fertile volcanic soils vines, lentils and capers are grown. In addition, tourism is becoming increasingly important. There are several hotels, guesthouses and campsites.

Accessible Linosa is by ferry from Porto Empedocle. The crossing takes about six hours. However, permission to land any tourist cars in the peak season from June to September. Between Linosa and Lampedusa several times a day hydrofoils. From Lampedusa from there a flight to Palermo.

Pictures

Overlooking the main town

Typical residential building

Malta Lizard, occurrence on Linosa

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