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Cities Information
ISCHIA
| Region |
Campania |
| Province |
Naples (NA) |
| Zone |
Southern Italy |
Population 18,146 (M 8,986; F 9,160)
Density
(per square km): 2,254.2 |
| Population Name |
ischitani |
| Patron st |
San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce |
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About Ischia
Ischia
is an island of volcanic origins in Italy's Campania
region, at the northern end of the Bay of Naples. The
island is easily reached by ferries and hydrofoils from
Naples, and every summer Italian families flock to
Ischia's beaches in their thousands. As well as sandy
beaches and blue sea, the island also boasts natural
thermal springs, and the spa complexes around these are
another major holiday attraction. The hot springs and the
island's natural beauty make Ischia a popular destination
for German tourists in particular, and many signs and
notices around the island use German as a second language.
When to go Italians take their holidays en masse in July and
August, so the island fills up and hotel prices rise in
this period. For more space on the beaches, and an
altogether calmer experience, try visiting outside these
months. The island enjoys a mild climate all year round,
although some hotels close and ferries are scarcer in
winter months.
Ischia
Facts Ischia covers 47 square kilometres, with around
37km of coastline. The island's resident population is
55,000 and it is divided into six comuni, or
administrative areas: Ischia, Barano, Forio, Serrara
Fontana, Casamicciola Terme and Lacco Ameno. The island's
highest point is the summit of Monte Epomeo, which is 789m
above sea level.
History and Geology
Ischia
is part of a large volcanic area that was very active in
the distant past, and its rocks and mountains bear witness
to their volcanic formation. In the eighth century BC,
Ischia was colonized by the Greeks, and belonged for a
time to Gerone of Syracuse (Siracusa), who built a
fortress on the spot of the present Castello Aragonese.
Repeated earthquakes and eruptions finally caused the
Greek colonists to leave the island. An eruption, possibly
from this time, left a round crater which is now the
circular port of Ischia Porto. The island's fertility led
to its resettlement, however, and in Roman times, the
island belonged to the Emperor Augustus, who gave it to
the Neapolitans in return for Capri. The most
recent eruption took place in 1302, and since then the
bubbling volcanic activity below ground is evidenced only
by the island's 69 fumaroles and its hot springs.
Earthquakes have been more common in recent centuries, and
a large earthquake in 1883 destroyed many of the island's
historic buildings, almost flattening the town of
Casamicciola.
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