Catania

Catania is the second largest city of Sicily, situated on its east coast and is the capital of the province which bears its name. It has about 340,000 inhabitants. Catania is brooded over by Mount Etna, an active volcano just to the north (it was named AEtna, after the volcano, c. 480-461 BC).

Founded in the 8th century BC, the city was largely destroyed by earthquakes in 1169 and 1693. The first Sicilian university was founded in Catania in 1434.

See also : Etna valley.

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