Strait of Messina


Region Type Maps & Charts (if available, no international)
Europe, Mediterranean Strait Strait of Messina

Channel, separating the Ital. peninsula from Sicily and connecting the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas; c.20 mi/32 km long and 2 mi/3 km-10 mi/16 km wide. Reggio di Calabria (SW Ital, mainland) and Messina (on NE Sicily) are the main ports. A ferry crosses the dangerous waters of the strait from Messina to Villa San Giovanni. There is much spearfishing. The currents, whirlpools, and winds of the strait, which still hamper navigation, gave rise in anc. times to many legends about its dangers to navigators.

Sources

Robert A. McCaughey

Compiler

Peter Richards

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