Province of Ragusa

Infobox_ProvinceIT
fullname = Province of Ragusa
name = Ragusa
region = Sicily
capital = Ragusa
commune = 12
area = 1,614
population_as_of = (2001)
population = 295,246
populationdensity = 183
vehicle = RG
postal_code = 97100, 97010-97015, 97017-97019
telephone_prefix = 0932
ISTAT = 088
president = Giovanni Francesco Antoci




The Province of Ragusa ( _it. Provincia di Ragusa; Sicilian: "Pruvincia di Rausa") is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Ragusa is in the south-east of the island. Its capital is the city of Ragusa.

It has an area of 1,614 km², and a total population of 295,264 (2001). There are 12 comunes (Italian: "comuni") in the province [http://www.upinet.it/indicatore.asp?id_statistiche=6] , see Comunes of the Province of Ragusa. By population, they are:

Tourism seems to have now replaced the fishing and farming industries as the principal source of employment.

Geography

From Scoglitti to Pozzallo, the Ragusan coastline is approximately 50 kilometres long. Along the Ragusan coast are many fishing villages such as Kaukana, Punta Secca, Marina di Ragusa and Marina di Modica. The skyline of Ragusa is punctuated by the towers, domes and cupolas of the many exquisite churches for which the province is known. The area is mostly unspoilt, as during the 19th century and early 20th century there was large migration from Ragusa to the more prosperous areas of Italy and abroad.

Ragusa has changed dramatically over the last 20 years largely due to tourism; however, in many places it remains untouched by the last two centuries, and has escaped unscathed from the excesses of discovery by the travelling world. In places the atmosphere of the 18th century still pervades.

ights

The city of Ragusa contains many examples of baroque architecture.

At Acate is the Castle of the Prince of Biscari constructed originally in 1494, it is a commanding feature of the town square. The construction of the castle was ordered by Baron Guglielmo Raimondo, its golden coloured stone work has been modified many times during is long history, it now appears more as an 18th century palazzo than a castle, although some crenelations and towers remain.

External links

* [http://www.provincia.ragusa.it/ Official website]
* [http://www.ragusa-sicilia.it/english/ The province of Ragusa]
* [http://www.sentieridelbarocco.it/RAGUSA/foto/RAGUSA.htm Images of Ragusa]
* [http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/provincie/rg/provrg.html Pictures, history, tourism, gastronomy, books, local products, local surnames, transportation in the province of Ragusa]
* [http://www.ragusainrete.it Ragusa on line]