Island of Lipari

Province: Messina

Area: 37.6sq.km/14.5sq.mi

Altitude: 602m/1975ft.

Population: 11,000

Communications

Ship connections with Milazzo and Naples; hydrofoil service to Milazzo, in summer also to Naples, Reggio di Calabria and Palermo.

Lípari, the Lipara of ancient times, is the largest and most heavily populated of the Aeolian Islands. Of volcanic origins, like all the islands of this archipelago, it rises at Monte Chirica to 602m/1,975ft, to the south of that at Monte Sant'Angelo to 594m/1,949ft. Monte Pelato in the northeast reaches 476m/1,562ft, Monte Guardia in the south 369m/1,211ft. The west coast descends steeply; in the east and north there are narrow, flat coastal strips. The vegetation is predominantly oleander and caper bushes, olive trees and many fields in which citrus and tropical fruits and vines flourish. The population is not, however, only reliant on agriculture, having other sources of income in the quarrying of pumice and obsidian (a volcanic glass found in lava flows), in fishing and not least in tourism. The latter owes its development to the mild climate and the excellent opportunities for water sports, and is based on good leisure facilities.