- Hyblaean Mountains
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Hyblaean Mountains
Location of the Monti Iblei.Elevation 986 m (3,235 ft) Location Province of Ragusa, Province of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy Coordinates 37°06′58″N 14°49′13″E / 37.11611°N 14.82028°ECoordinates: 37°06′58″N 14°49′13″E / 37.11611°N 14.82028°E Climbing Easiest route mountain walk from the road at Buscemi The Hyblaean Mountains (Italian: Monti Iblei)[1] are a mountain range in south-eastern Sicily, Italy. They are included in the provinces of Ragusa, Syracuse and Catania, and reaches the highest altitude with Monte Lauro, at 986 m.
Contents
Geology
The range is composed of white limestone rocks, characterized by Karst topography. The name derives from the Siculi king Hyblon, who gave a portion of his territory to Greek colonists to build the town of Megara Hyblaea. The rivers eroded the plateau, forming numerous and deep canyons. In the coastal area sandstone is also present, here called giuggiulena. In some areas, such as that of Monte Lauro (once part of submerged volcanic complex), volcanic rocks are also present.
Landscape
The Hyblaean Mountains are characterized by gentle slopes, interrupted by sharp valleys. In the central area are numerous woods which are intermingled with the typical dry stone walls of south-eastern Sicily. The more populated coast has instead terraced hills, with Mediterranean vegetation, alternated to a plateau with huge cultivations of olive trees, vines, citrus fruit and almonds. Other grows include grain and maize.
Main sights
Main attraction of the area include the Baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica and Palazzolo Acreide and the Necropolis of Pantalica and Cava Ispica.
Peaks
The highest peaks of the Monti Iblei are:
- Monte Lauro 986m
- Monte Casale 910m
- Monte Arcibessi 907m
- Serra Brugio 870m
minors:
- Monte Raci 610m
- Monte Racello 530m
- Monti Climiti 410m
Rivers
The range is drained by several rivers, which flow into either the Mediterranean sea or the Ionian sea.
River Length Province Anapo[2] 59 km Syracuse Irminio[3] 55 km Ragusa Dirillo 54 km Ragusa - Catania Helorus (river)[4] 45 km Ragusa - Syracuse Cassibile (river)[5] 30 km Syracuse River Length Province Ippari[6] 28 km Ragusa Asinaro 22 km Syracuse Modica (stream)[7] 22 km Ragusa Tellesimo (stream)[8] 14 km Ragusa - Syracuse Ciane 08 km Syracuse References
- ^ ITALY'S VOLCANOES: THE CRADLE OF VOLCANOLOGY - Monti Iblei , Sicily, Italy
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=15&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=136&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=377&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=5&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=379&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=1413&pagina=0[dead link]
- ^ http://www.fiumi.com/acque/index.php?id_g=380&pagina=0[dead link]
- Grandi Montagne - Sicilia. 2007.
Categories:- Mountain ranges of Italy
- Province of Ragusa
- Mountains of Sicily
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