When asking a class of students to think about each of the world’s amazing landscapes and land options, you will find specific photos which are probably to stand out in their minds – coursing rivers, sun-blessed beaches, towering mountains and dramatic volcanoes amongst them. Italy’s southernmost region, Sicily, has all of these and more, generating it fantastic for any geography-based educational trip. Household to Europe’s tallest active volcano and a few from the Mediterranean’s most striking coastal regions, this is absolutely a location to inspire learners and to demonstrate the power of the organic globe, too as the power of mankind to alter that world. Whether or not exploring coastal ecosystems or investigating the effects of agriculture and deforestation over centuries, you will find endless possibilities for learning projects – and here are some of the finest locations to begin.
Volcano Assortment
The region’s most famous land feature, and certainly one of by far the most striking sights students on an educational trip will see in Sicily, is undoubtedly Mount Etna, a 3,329-meter high stratovolcano that towers more than the island’s eastern coast. Its eruptions have already been famous because of ancient instances when Greek storytellers explained its near-constant volcanic activity with tales of Zeus trapping a fearsome monster referred to as Typhon beneath it. The mountain just isn’t purely a source of destruction, nevertheless, as its volcanic ash tends to make the soil hugely fertile, therefore supporting Sicily’s wealthy agriculture. This connection between the volcano and also the regional population is one intriguing possibility to get a geographical case study to become created whilst on an educational trip, even though Etna will not be the only sort of volcano that will be seen in Sicily. For the north with the island, the Aeolian Islands (themselves a volcanic arc) are home to Stromboli, a volcano nicknamed the ‘Lighthouse in the Mediterranean’ for its vibrant eruptions, while off the southern coast is an underwater volcano named Ferdinandea.
Human Geography
Lemons, oranges, olives, nuts, grapes and their derivative solutions are the chief exports of Sicily, at the same time as fish and non-consumable items for example chemical compounds, textiles, leather goods and ships. Understanding the land and climate is essential to understanding human industry and civilization in numerous places, but specifically in Sicily, exactly where the pleasant climate and fertile volcanic ash have a considerable influence on agriculture. Its status as an island is also essential for anyone thinking of Sicily’s port towns as well as the industries associated with them. The value of the island’s roads is a further angle that students could think about when on their educational trip, as they play an important function in all of its industries, and the current road improvement function has had far-reaching implications. These learning possibilities are going to be each of the lot more instant and genuine for being correct in front of students’ eyes – and all tempered by Sicilian sun, fascinating culture and wonderful food!
