Erean Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Erean Mountains are a mountain chain in central Sicily
, southern Italy
, mostly located in the central and northern areas of the province of Enna
. The highest peak is the Monte Altesina, at 1,192 m over the sea level.
origin, and do not reach high altitudes. Their area was once one of the most important in the world for the production of sulphur, as testified today by numerous minerary parks, the largest being that of Floristella-Grottacalda.
There are several lakes in the mountain group, such as the Pergusa Lake, whose rich bird fauna has granted it the status of the first special Natural Reserve in Sicily, and the Pozzillo Lake, the larfest artificial basin in the island.
Due to the rugged landscape, the population (amounting to less than 200,000) and the inhabitants density are reduced. The chain is home to the largest Italian city above the 900 m of altitude and the largest province capital in Europe
, Enna
, which houses around one sixth of the whole Erean population.
The mountain is crossed by a motorway, the A19 Palermo
-Catania
, and by a railroad with the same direction. Most of the remaining roads are rather twisting, due to the rugged and geologically unstable nature of the territory.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, southern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, mostly located in the central and northern areas of the province of Enna
Province of Enna
Enna is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Its capital is the city of Enna.It has an area of 2,562 km², and a total population of 177,200 . There are 20 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Enna...
. The highest peak is the Monte Altesina, at 1,192 m over the sea level.
Description
The Erean Mountains are of limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
origin, and do not reach high altitudes. Their area was once one of the most important in the world for the production of sulphur, as testified today by numerous minerary parks, the largest being that of Floristella-Grottacalda.
There are several lakes in the mountain group, such as the Pergusa Lake, whose rich bird fauna has granted it the status of the first special Natural Reserve in Sicily, and the Pozzillo Lake, the larfest artificial basin in the island.
Due to the rugged landscape, the population (amounting to less than 200,000) and the inhabitants density are reduced. The chain is home to the largest Italian city above the 900 m of altitude and the largest province capital in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Enna
Enna
Enna is a city and comune located roughly at the center of Sicily, southern Italy, in the province of Enna, towering above the surrounding countryside...
, which houses around one sixth of the whole Erean population.
The mountain is crossed by a motorway, the A19 Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
-Catania
Catania
Catania is an Italian city on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea, between Messina and Syracuse. It is the capital of the homonymous province, and with 298,957 inhabitants it is the second-largest city in Sicily and the tenth in Italy.Catania is known to have a seismic history and...
, and by a railroad with the same direction. Most of the remaining roads are rather twisting, due to the rugged and geologically unstable nature of the territory.
Main sights
- Enna
- Piazza ArmerinaPiazza ArmerinaPiazza Armerina is an Italian comune in the province of Enna of the autonomous island region of Sicily.-History:...
- NicosiaNicosiaNicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
- MorgantinaMorgantinaMorgantina is an archaeological site in east central Sicily, southern Italy. It is sixty kilometres from the coast of the Ionian Sea, in the province of Enna. The closest modern town is Aidone, two kilometres southwest of the site...
- Villa del Casale
- Roman archaeological area of CenturipeCenturipeCenturipe is a town and comune in the province of Enna . The city is located 61 km from Enna, in the hill country between the Rivers Dittaìno and Salso.The economy is mostly based on agriculture...