Ischia
Ischia (/ˈɪskiə/ ISK-ee-ə, Italian: [ˈiskja], Neapolitan: [ˈiʃkjə]) is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It lies at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the city of Naples. It is the largest of the Phlegrean Islands. Although inhabited since the Bronze Age, as a Greek emporium it was founded in the 8th or 9th century bCE, and known as Πιθηκοῦσαι, Pithekoūsai (Monkey Island).
| Ischia | |
|---|---|
View of Ischia from Procida | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 789 m (2,589 ft) |
| Coordinates | 40°43′52″N 13°53′45″E |
| Geography | |
Ischia Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy Ischia Ischia (Italy) | |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Complex volcano |
| Last eruption | January to March 1302 |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tyrrhenian Sea |
| Area | 46.3 km2 (17.9 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 789 m (2589 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Epomeo |
| Administration | |
Italy | |
| Region | Campania |
| Metropolitan City | Naples |
| Largest settlement | Ischia (pop. 18,253) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 62,027 (2009) |
| Pop. density | 1,339.7/km2 (3469.8/sq mi) |
Roughly trapezoidal in shape, it measures approximately 10 km (6 miles) east to west and 7 km (4 miles) north to south and has about 34 km (21 miles) of coastline and a surface area of 46.3 square kilometres (17.9 sq mi). It is almost entirely mountainous; the highest peak is Mount Epomeo, at 788 metres (2,585 feet). The island is very densely populated, with 60,000 residents (more than 1,300 inhabitants per square km). Ischia is the name of the main comune of the island. The other comuni of the island are Barano d'Ischia, Casamicciola Terme, Forio, Lacco Ameno and Serrara Fontana.