Comitini (Sicilian: Cuminiti) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Agrigento in the Italian region Sicily, located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) southeast of Palermo and about 13 kilometres (8 mi) northeast of Agrigento. The town is located on a hilly area, 346 metres (1,135 ft) above sea level.[3]

Comitini
Comune di Comitini
Coat of arms of Comitini
Location of Comitini
Map
Comitini is located in Italy
Comitini
Comitini
Location of Comitini in Italy
Comitini is located in Sicily
Comitini
Comitini
Comitini (Sicily)
Coordinates: 37°25′N 13°39′E / 37.417°N 13.650°E / 37.417; 13.650
CountryItaly
RegionSicily
ProvinceAgrigento (AG)
Government
 • MayorNino Contino
Area
 • Total
21.89 km2 (8.45 sq mi)
Elevation
350 m (1,150 ft)
Population
 (30 June 2017)[2]
 • Total
974
 • Density44/km2 (120/sq mi)
DemonymComitinesi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
92020
Dialing code0922
WebsiteOfficial website

History

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The town was founded in 1627 by Gastone Bellacera on a hill named Comitini. In 1673, Michele Gravina was appointed prince of the town.[3]

In the early 19th century the extraction of sulfur from the mines in the territory, due to an increased demand caused by the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain, gave a new impulse to the economy which was followed by a remarkable population growth. The town became one of the most important mining centres of the Agrigento province, as described by Luigi Pirandello in his novel The Old and the Young (I vecchi e i giovani) (1928).[4] With the decline of the sulfur mining industry in the 20th century many townspeople opted for emigration.[5]

A long strip of land between the country towns of Aragona and Grotte, Comitini boasts a substantial agricultural production of almonds, olives, grapes, and citrus fruits.[3] As of 31 December 2011, it had a population of 944 and an area of 21.7 square kilometres (8.4 sq mi).[6]

Comitini borders the following municipalities Aragona, Favara, Grotte.

References

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  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ Demographics data from ISTAT
  3. ^ a b c Comitini, Sicilia in dettaglio
  4. ^ The Old And the Young, Luigi Pirandello (1928)
  5. ^ (in Italian) La Storia Mineraria
  6. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
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