ISLAND OF LAMPEDUSA
The largest of the Pelagian islands is also the nearest Italian island to the coast of North Africa, and is 133 meters high at its highest point. The first human settlements there date from prehistoric times, which is demonstrated by findings from the Bronze Age and some megalithic constructions. Already known to the Romans (as Lopadusa) it was the scene of a naval battle between Arabs and Byzantines. For a long time it had no permanent inhabitants, but was settled again in the time of Ferdinand II. During the Second World War it was a centre for Allied military manoeuvres. In very recent times it was touched by Libyan missiles during an acute international crisis. Lampedusa lies on a harbour and is the only town worth mentioning; the sea coasts of the island are sheer cliffs and it is covered in typical Mediterranean scrub. The inhabitants are mostly employed in fishing, especially for sponges. Agriculture is made very difficult by lack of water.