What country does 'cicilian' derive from?

Question

What country does 'cicilian' derive from?

Answer 1

Sicily is a region of Italy.  

Answer 2

sicily is the correct answer.

if you look on the map, it is the little rock that is being kicked by the bootlooking country called Italy.

Sicily

I  INTRODUCTION

Sicily (Italian Sicilia; ancient Trinacria), largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, southern Italy, separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina. The island is roughly triangular in shape and with adjacent small islands forms a region of Italy. Area of Sicily region, 25,707 sq km (9,926 sq mi); population (2002) 4,972,124.

Sicily is for the most part a plateau 150 to 600 m (500 to 1,900 ft) above sea level. In the north lie the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains, the only well-defined ranges, although there are several isolated peaks, such as the volcano Mount Etna (3,323 m/10,902 ft) in the east, and Monte San Giuliano (ancient Eryx; 750 m/2,460 ft) in the northwest. The lower mountain slopes are generally covered with groves of oranges and olives, and most of the plateau is covered with fields of wheat. The only extensive plain is that of Catania, from which Etna rises. This region is subject to earthquakes. A quake in 1908 resulted in the loss of at least 84,000 lives in Messina and nearby villages.

Sicily is subject to constant drought, not much relieved by the oppressive sirocco wind that blows across the island from North Africa. The rainy season, which occurs in late autumn and winter, does little to improve the general dryness. A combination of primitive farming methods, little use of irrigation, and the arid nature of the area have prevented Sicily from being more agriculturally productive.

In the highest mountain regions of Sicily juniper trees can be found; on the lower slopes beeches grow. Plane trees occur along the rivers in the east, and in the still lower flatlands, where wheat is grown, chestnut and oak trees also grow, along with olive trees, cork oak, and pine. Apart from several varieties of vulture, few wild animals are native to Sicily.

II  ECONOMY

Sicily is a principal source of the world supply of sulfur. Other minerals mined here include rock salt and asphalt. The petrochemical industry also figures in the economy of the island and is largely dependent on production in eastern Sicily, particularly in Catania and Syracuse and in Ragusa and Gela. Agriculture is still the predominant occupation of Sicilians; wheat is the most important crop. Cereal grains are grown on the larger estates in the interior and along the southern coast. Smaller holdings are devoted principally to growing grapes, almonds, olives, oranges, lemons, beans, and sumac, used in tanning and dyeing. The fisheries (tunny, sardine, coral, and sponge) are extensive; one-fourth of Italy’s fishing vessels sail from Sicily. Other occupations include manufacturing wine and olive oil, canning fruit and vegetables, and preparing citric acid. Some glassware, metalware, and matches are produced in the larger cities. Sicily exports sulfur, fruits and vegetables, sumac, salt, wine, oil, and fish, and imports mainly grain, coal, and iron. Almost the entire trade is seaborne through the three principal ports, Palermo (capital of Sicily region), Catania, and Messina. Tourism is also an important economic contributor; many visitors come to the region to explore landmarks such as cathedrals, and the Greek ruins at Agrigento, Syracuse, Taormina, and other locations.

III  HISTORY

Sicily was inhabited at the beginning of historical times by a people called the Siculi or Sicani. It is believed that they crossed over to the island from the southern tip of Italy. The recorded history of Sicily began with the establishment of Greek and Phoenician colonies. The earliest Greek colony, Naxos, was founded about 734 bc; the latest, Agrigentum (modern Agrigento), about 580 BC. Agrigentum and Gela early became prominent; under the rule of Phalaris, Agrigentum became for a short time probably the most powerful colony in Sicily. Gela, under a succession of able tyrants such as Gelon, forced most of the other Greek cities on the island into subjugation.

The Carthaginians first arrived on the island in 536 bc, but because of the growing wealth and power of the Greek cities, they were long confined to the northwest; the principal Carthaginian colonies were Panormus, Motya, and Solois. In a battle at Himera in 480 BC the Carthaginian army was completely routed by Gelon, and the Carthaginian leader, Hamilcar, was slain. The Gelonian dynasty at Syracuse fell in 466 bc, and for 50 years Sicily had peace. In 410 BC war was renewed between Carthaginians and Greeks for possession of the island. The Carthaginians were successful, but the vigorous reign (405-367 bc) of the tyrant Dionysius the Elder at Syracuse put a check to Carthaginian conquest. In 246 BC Carthaginian Sicily became a Roman province, as did the rest of the island in 210 bc. The chief events of the Roman history of Sicily were the two insurrections of slaves, in 135-132 BC and in 102-99 bc; th

Answer 3

Sicilian--it's from Italy.