Province of Palermo

Province of Palermo
Province

Map highlighting the location of the province of Palermo in Italy
Country  Italy
Region Sicilia
Capital(s) Palermo
Comuni 82
Government
 • President Francesco Musotto
Area
 • Total 4,992 km2 (1,927 sq mi)
Population (2012)
 • Total 1,249,533
 • Density 250/km2 (650/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 90010, 90010-90035, 90037-90049, 90100
Telephone prefix 091, 0921, 0924
Vehicle registration PA
ISTAT 082
Website www.provincia.palermo.it

The Province of Palermo (Italian: provincia di Palermo; Sicilian: pruvincia di Palermu) was a province in the autonomous region of Sicily, a major island in Southern Italy. Its capital was the city of Palermo. On August 4, 2015, it was replaced by the Metropolitan City of Palermo.

History and location

Its name is derived from Latin word "Panormus".[1] From 1072 to 1194 Palermo was the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily before Naples became the new capital under the rule of the French Angevin dynasty.[1] It has also been ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Arabs, Spanish Empire and Americans (during part of W.W. II).[1] Historical accounts recording the existence of the province date back to the 8th and 6th century B.C.[1] The province is surrounded by Tyrrhenian Sea in the north, Province of Trapani in the west, the provinces of Agrigento and Caltanissetta in the south, Enna in the southeast and Messina in the east. It is popular for its beaches, namely Mondello. The land is mountainous and includes Pollina and Imera Valleys. Madonie Range is located in the province.[2]

Administration and demographics

The Province of Palermo has 82 comuni (see Comunes of the Province of Palermo), 1,249,533 inhabitants, (24.9% of the Sicilian population) and is 4,992 square kilometres (1,927 sq mi) (19.4% of the Sicilian territory).[3] Some major towns of the province are Palermo, Alia, Alimena, Sclafani Bagni and Petralia Soprana. In 1840, for the purpose of administration the province was divided into four districts – Palermo, Corleone, Termini and Cefalu.[4]

Economy and tourism

Service is the most important economic sector for the province, accounting for three-quarters of the total employment opportunities, while the industry and agriculture employ 18% and 6% of the population respectively. The unemployment rate is high. Tourism is also an important industry.[3] A few major tourist destinations include Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel, Church of St. John of the Hermits, Palazzo Abatellis, Gothic Palazzo Chiaramonte and National Gallery of Sicily. The seat of the Sicilian parliament is located in the province. A cathedral containing the tombs of Frederick II and other rulers is also a well known tourist attraction. The Madonie Regional Park is also located in the province. It has an airport called Falcone-Borsellino Airport, which serves about a million passengers every year, while the local port serves about half a million passengers every year. During the months from July to September the province is visited by a large number of tourists.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Province of Palermo". SicilyBella. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Palermo, Sicily". ITALIA. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Some data about the province of Palermo". Sicilia. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  4. ↑ The Penny Cyclopædia of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. C. Knight. 1840. p. 158.

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Coordinates: 38°06′56″N 13°21′41″E / 38.11556°N 13.36139°E / 38.11556; 13.36139

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