Ragusa, Sicily
| Ragusa | ||
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| Comune | ||
| Città di Ragusa | ||
Panorama of Ragusa
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 Ragusa
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| Coordinates: 36°56′N 14°45′E / 36.933°N 14.750°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Sicily | |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Ragusa (RG) | |
| Frazioni | Marina di Ragusa, San Giacomo Bellocozzo | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Federico Piccitto | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 442.6 km2 (170.9 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 520 m (1,710 ft) | |
| Population (30 November 2012) | ||
| • Total | 69,875 | |
| • Density | 160/km2 (410/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Ragusani | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 97100 | |
| Dialing code | 0932 | |
| Patron saint |
St. John the Baptist (Ragusa) St. George (Ragusa Ibla) |
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| Saint day | June 24 | |
| Website | Official website | |
| Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) | |
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| Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
| Location | Italy |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iv, v |
| Reference | 1024 |
| UNESCO region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2002 (20th Session) |
Ragusa (Italian: [raˈɡuːza], 
listen ; Sicilian: Rausa; Latin: Ragusia) is a city and comune in southern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Ragusa, on the island of Sicily, with around 75,000 inhabitants. It is built on a wide limestone hill between two deep valleys, Cava San Leonardo and Cava Santa Domenica. Together with seven other cities in the Val di Noto, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The origins of Ragusa can be traced back to the 2nd millennium BC, when there were several Sicel settlements in the area. The current district of Ragusa Ibla has been identified as Hybla Heraea.
The ancient city, located on a, 300 metres (980 ft) high hill, came into contact with nearby Greek colonies, and grew thanks to the nearby port of Camerina. Following a short period of Carthaginian rule, it fell into the hands of the ancient Romans and the Byzantines, who fortified the city and built a large castle. Ragusa was occupied by the Arabs in 848 AD, remaining under their rule until the 11th century, when the Normans conquered it. Selected as County seat, its first Count was Geoffrey, son of Count Ruggero of Sicily.
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Wikipedia