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The
Egadi Islands: click here if you cannot see the
picture
THE EGADIS. A group of islands situated
a few miles off the western coast of Sicily, opposite
the city of Trapani. The islands have a total
land area of 237,5 km², with a population
of 6,930. The three main islands are: Favignana
(the ancients called this island Aegusa), which
is the largest with a surface area of 19,8 km²
and is 9 km long and 4 km wide; Maréttimo
is 7 km long, 2 km wide and has a land area of
12,3 km²; and last but not least Lèvanzo,
land area 7km² and 5 km length and 2 km width.
There is also a scattering of much smaller islands.
The chief town is Favignana, located on the main
island. Monte Falcone (686m) is the highest point
of Marèttimo. The Grotto of the Crib is
truly beautiful and a must-see. The island's main
resource is fishing. The area is famous for the
tuna fishing season and is the most important
in Italy for the processing and preservation of
this fish. Other activities include cereal crops,
vineyards and cattle rearing.
An important date to remember is 241 b.C when
the Battle of the Egadis signalled the end of
the First Punic War.
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