Lampedusa is the largest island of the 3 Pelagie islands, whose name means island of high sea. It’s an archipelagos placed in the Mediterranean Sea and it is 200 kilometres far from Sicily and only 113 km far from Tunisia. It takes the form of a long triangle and its highest point is at Albero Sole which is on the north side of the island. Its coasts are of varied and interesting aspect, tall on the sea to north, low to south where we can find the famous beach Isola dei conigli (Rabbits’ beach) which is one of the last remaining egg-laying sits in Italy for the turtle Caretta-Caretta. Lampedusa can be reached by plane or by ferry and in summer by hydrofoil, too.

Lampedusa is an arid and calcareous island and its flora and fauna are similar to those of North Africa, for this reason it seems to belong to Africa. The only town is Lampedusa, rising on an inlet of South-East coast The coast from Capo Grecale to Cala Galera is easy to land: sailing along the coast from West to East on the direction to Capo Levante, the first inlet to be found is Cala Calandra, with the majesty of its deep cave; then Cala Creta, secure cover for boats from West or South-West winds, that has not any beach but a comfortable platform where to sun-bathe; Cala Pisana, natural alternative to Lampedusa Port, now even more functional thanks to a new small landing- place; Cala Uccello, Punta Parrino and Punta Sottile just 1 m above sea level.

In the southern part there is the beach of Cala Francese, the Grottaccia, cave modelled by sea- water and shelter for boats looking for some shadow; Cala Maluk, Cala Spugne and finally the Port, until the XIX c. the main and lively wood trading point; the shores of Cala Guitgia, Cala Croce, Cala Madonna offer shelter from the North, North-East and East winds; then Cala Greca, with no beach, and Cala Galera. Lampedusa Island, comparing with other places sited at the same latitude, has a mild climate, thanks to the winds and to the white rocks that limit the heat of the sun's rays.

Lampedusa is a paradise for snorkelers and divers who can enjoy a rich and unspoiled submerged world inhabited by corals, sponges, madrepores, the colored parrot-fish and, by Capo Grecale at only 50m depth, the lobster. Its mostly sandy sea-ground suddenly turns into a dark- green due to the posidonia, a marine plant that is known as the Mediterranean lung for its releasing oxygen in the water, giving life to beautiful underwater plains.

Historically, Lampedusa was a landing place and a maritime base for the ancient PhoeniciansPhoenicians, GreeksGreeks, Romans and ArabsArabs. The Romans established a plant for the production of the prized fish sauce known as garumgarum. As a result of pirate attacks by the Arabs, the island became uninhabited. The first prince of Lampedusa and Linosa was Giulio TomasiTomasi, ancestor of the famous writer Giuseppe Tomasi di LampedusaLampedusa, who received the title from Charles II of Spain in A century later the Tomasi family began a program of resettlement. In the 1840s the Tomasi family sold the island to the Kingdom of Naples. In 1860 the island became part of the new Kingdom of ItalyItaly, but the new government limited its activities there to building a penal colonycolony. The first telephone connection with Sicily was installed only in the 1960s. In the same decade an electric power station was built. Lampedusa has made international news as a prime transit site for illegal immigrants hoping to enter Europe from Africa, the Middle East and AsiaAsia.

The Sanctuary of Madonna di Porto Salvo One of the most important landmark is the sanctuary of Madonna di Porto Salvo. The first who gave us an authentic historical proof is the writer Fazello in the He tells about a chapel consacrated to Maria in a cave. But we can find more precise news in a letter Written by Sanvisente to Ferdinando II, in 1843, where he talks about a quite destroyed Statue of Virgin inside a little church. Christians and Moslem used to pray there. The church and the statue were restored and it was established that every year on the 22 nd Of September the festivity of “Madonna di Porto Salvo” should be celebrated.

Lampedusa celebrates its patron saint and protector with the Madonna di Lampedusa Procession, accompanied by fireworks, games and concerts. The local population start their preparations well in advance. On the first Sunday of the month the Madonna's statue is carried on fishermen's shoulders in a long procession from the sanctuary to the town's main church, where it is kept hidden until the 22 September, when a further procession takes place involving the whole town. At the end of the festivities on the 23 September a final procession takes the statue back to its sanctuary.

Arancini Grilled fish Cannoli Baked Pasta COUS-COUS Filled squid and

OUR INSTITUTE The Institute of Lampedusa and Linosa called “L. Pirandello” became Omnicomprehensive in the Our institute is the only one in Sicily that includes all the levels. Infant level has 8 classes with about 220 pupils, primary school has 16 classes with about 370 pupils, first degree secondary school has 12 classes with 250 students and secondary high school (Liceo Scientifico) has 10 classes with 210 students. The institute of Linosa includes an infant section, 2 mixed primary classes and 3 secondary classes too. In total there are 40 pupils that added to those of Lampedusa all together are The Omnicomprehensive “Luigi Pirandello” institute has: 100 teachers; 1 headmaster; 1 director of the administrative services; 20 caretakers; 7 administrative assistants. In the school there are also 2 gyms, a multi-medial rooms, a musical laboratory, a small library and an assembly hall.