Editing Sicily (section)

== Geography ==

Sicily has a roughly triangular shape. The northern coast rises into the Peloritani Mountains near Messina. Farther west, the Nebrodi and Madonie ranges form the main northern highlands.

[[Mount Etna]] dominates eastern Sicily above the Plain of Catania. It is the highest point on the island and remains an active volcano. The Hyblaean Plateau occupies much of southeastern Sicily. Central and western areas consist mainly of hills divided by broad valleys.

Most Sicilian rivers are short because the mountains lie close to the coast and rainfall is limited during summer. The Simeto drains much of eastern Sicily before entering the Ionian Sea south of [[Catania]]. The Salso crosses the central interior and reaches the southern coast near Licata.

Sicily has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are generally hot and dry, while most rainfall occurs between autumn and early spring. Mountain districts have lower temperatures and receive more precipitation than the southern coastal plains. The northern slopes and the area around Etna are generally wetter than the interior.

The autonomous region also governs the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily and the Aegadian Islands off the western coast. Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands lie farther south in the Strait of Sicily.