Messina

Messina (pop. 232,900), city on Sicily's northeast coast, on the Strait of Messina. First mentioned in history as an ancient Sicilian colony (c.730 B.C.) it was occupied by the Greeks in the 700s B.C. and became a flourishing Greek colony. Throughout history it has been fought over and survived many rulers. Earthquakes in 1783 and 1908 almost destroyed Messina, which also sustained great damage during World War II. A gateway to Sicily, its principal exports are fruits, wine, olive oil, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and medicinal products.

See also: Sicily.