Panarea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Panarea is the smallest of the main Aeolian Islands. It has a total surface area of only 3.4 km². In antiquity, the island was named "Euonymus"; the nearby island of Basiluzzo, administratively attached to Panarea, was neamed "Hycesia". There is archaeological evidence on the island dating back to Mycenaean inhabitants, and the island was settled by Romans. There were people still living on the island until pirates and other Mediterranean raiders made life unbearable after the Fall of Rome.

The island is an ancient, inactive volcano. The highest point on the island, Punta del Corvo, is 421 meters above sea level. There are thermal springs near the village of Punta di Peppe e Maria. Scuba diving is a popular excursion on this tiny island, and you can even swim to a shipwreck between the offshore rocks of Lisca Bianca and Bottaro.

There are currently about 280 residents living on the island year-round; however, with the arrival of summer vacationers the population increases dramatically, if temporarily.

[edit] Location

• 38°38′15″N, 15°04′00″E

[edit] References

Ezio Giunta, dir. (2005). "Panarea". Estateolie 2005*The Essential Guide (English version of Tourist Guidebook): 100–103. 

• Richard Talbert, Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, (ISBN 0-691-03169-X), Map 46.

[edit] External links

• panarea.com (in Italian).
• Panarea volcanic island, Italy