1. NATURAL LANDSCAPES OF TRAPANI AND ITS PROVINCE

2. The area, including Trapani and its province, lies, in all its sunny Mediterranean beauty, in the North-West of Sicily. As regards its landscape this territory is highly various with mountains, rugged peaks, undulating valleys, sandy beaches, cliffs, marshy areas, salt- pans, and islands.

3. This stretch of Sicilian coasts is characterized by the gulfs of: “Trapani”, whose name derives just from the sickle-shape of its gulf, “Bonagia”, “Cofano” and “Castellammare”.

4. salt-pans The characteristic element of the province is the presence of mountains such as “Mount S. Giuliano”, “Mount Inici”, “Mount Cofano”, “Mount Sparagio”, “Mount Bonifato”, “Mount Barbaro”, “Angimbè wood”, Baronia wood, “Scorace wood”, “Montagna Grande”, of sea-level areas such as the salt-pans and of a number of islands including Pantelleria and the Egadis.

5. The landscape of Trapani is dominated by “Mount S. Giuliano”,and towards Bonagia there is a majestic spectacle of sea, plain and mountain with the imposing shape of Mount Cofano. Various features make this promontory over the sea a major nature oasis: the rich flora, made up of 325 species, including the indigenous dwarf palm and the fauna with the presence of falconine birds and marine bird species. San Vito and Cornino, two seaside resorts, offer a unique scenery with wonderful white beaches and crystal-clear water. In the succession of superb landscapes there is first the natural reserve of the “Zingaro” and then Scopello with its fantastic stacks.

6. The “Zingaro” was the first nature reserve instituted in Sicily. Scourged by the wind and burnt by the sun in summer the “Zingaro” is the real paradise for 800 species of plants, of great naturalistic interest, and for a great number of animals. More than 40 species of birds find it the right place to nest; others hibernate or stop for a while during their migrations.

7. Segesta, the archaeological site with its magnificent Doric temple and Greek theatre, is surrounded by an enchanting area full of natural beauties; it also includes the sulphurous water springs. Natural, green areas such as “Mount Bonifato”, “Angimbè Wood”, “Mount Scorace” “Montagna Grande” house the Mediterranean scrub and some rare species of birds.

8. Towards the sea the skyline is marked by wonderful, characteristic wind-mills which together with the salt pans offer an impressive landscape. The salt area is a halting and nesting place for a lot of bird species and extends between Trapani and Marsala. Marsala, a sea town, comprises a number of islands: “Mozia, Santa Maria, La Schola and Isola Longa.” These stretches of land have lush vegetation with precious specimens of the Mediterranean flora.

9. The tract separating Marsala from Mazara del Vallo is marked by two natural coastal environments: the “sciare” and the marshes, which give hospitality to rare vegetation and numerous species of animals. This stretch of coast, among the finest ones in Sicily, is rich in very fine sand beaches and is characterized by the port created by the Mazaro river.

10. Pantelleria is a dark and burning island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. It is dark because of its volcanic nature and it is blue for its fantastic, transparent, blue sea. Wonderful gardens scent of fruit and of spicy herbs such as sage, rosemary, oregano.

11. Favignana looks like a big butterfly, whose wings are the two sections created by “Il Monte”, the mountain which divides the island into two parts.. The island, with its numerous inlets, grottos, nice and white beaches offers great, fantastic, breathtaking places.

12. Levanzo offers its jewels made of the sea, inlets, grottos and the impressive stack. The sea, a crystal-clear water, has all the shades of green and deep blue and it is rich in flora and fauna.

13. Marettimo, in ancient times, was considered a sacred island. Discovering and exploring this island by walking along its silent paths, which skirt the sea and climb up towards “Punta Spinone”, is a way to enjoy the beauty of its vegetation, its wild and rough landscape, in short the magic atmosphere of the place.

14. Trapani offers great, incredible, natural landscapes. In short Trapani is like an earthly paradise.

15. I’m Fanny and I’m a student of “Istituto Tecnico per il Turismo” in Valderice. I have done this work to present the natural, fantastic landscapes which the area offers. I live in Buseto Palizzolo, a little village between Castellammare del Golfo and Valderice. It’s a quiet and unpolluted place. FRANCESCA MAIORANA III A ITT -VALDERICE