Province of Messina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Province of Messina Messina
Province
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Capital	Messina
Area
• Total	3,247 km2 (1,254 sq mi)
Population  (2005)
• Total	662,450
• Density	204/km2 (530/sq mi)
Postal Code	98000-98100
Telephone prefix	090, 0941, 0942
ISTAT	083
Vehicle registration	ME
No. of communes	108

Messina (in Italian: Provincia di Messina; in Sicilian: Pruvincia di Missina) used to be a province in the special island region of Sicily in Italy. The main city and capital of this province was Messina. Later, it was replaced by the Metropolitan City of Messina.

Geography of Messina Province

Land and Area

The Province of Messina covered an area of about 3,247 square kilometers (1,254 square miles). This is about 12.6 percent of the total area of the island of Sicily. More than 650,000 people lived there. The province had 108 smaller towns or areas called comuni (singular: comune). You can find a list of these comuni at Comuni of the Province of Messina.

The province also included the Aeolian Islands. These islands are all part of the comune of Lipari, except for Salina. Most of the land in the province is mountainous. However, there are flat areas near the mouths of rivers, where the land is made of soil carried by the rivers.

The biggest flat area is between Milazzo and Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto. These two towns, along with Messina, form a large city area with about 500,000 people. This makes it one of the biggest metropolitan areas in southern Italy. Many people live along the coast. In the past, people lived more in the hill towns, but many of these towns have been left empty since the 1800s.

The main mountain ranges are the Peloritani mountains, which go up to 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) high. The Nebrodi mountains are even taller, reaching up to 1,900 meters (6,200 feet). The Nebrodi mountains are part of a special Regional Natural Reserve, which protects the area.

Important rivers in the province include the Alcantara and the Pollina. The Pollina River forms the border with the province of Palermo to the west.

Main Towns by Population

Here are some of the biggest towns in the province, based on how many people live there:

Religious Feasts and Traditions

The Province of Messina is known for its many traditional religious feasts and celebrations. These events often involve processions, special foods, and community gatherings. They are an important part of the local culture and history.

Some of these feasts include:

• The Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6 in Saponara.
• The Feast of Saint Lucy on December 13 in Santa Lucia del Mela.
• The Procession of the "Barette" on Easter Friday in Messina.
• The Feast of the Madonna della Lettera on June 3 in Messina and Itala.
• The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 in Roccalumera.
• The Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15 in Novara di Sicilia and Messina.
• The Feast of the black Madonna of Tindari on September 7–8 in Tindari.

These celebrations show the strong traditions and faith of the people in the area.

See also

In Spanish: Provincia de Mesina para niños

Images for kids

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  The Isola Bella at Taormina city

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  The Alcantara river canyon

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  The Rocca Salvatesta face from Fondachelli-Fantina town

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  The Sanctuary of Tindari over Marinello lakes

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  Stromboli volcano, Aeolian Islands