Ragusa (It. Provincia di Ragusa) is a province in the autonomous island region of Sicily in Italy. Ragusa is in the south-east of the island. Its capital is the city of Ragusa.

It has an area of 1,614 sq km, and a total population of 295,264 (2001). There are 12 communes in the province (source: Italian institute of statistics Istat, see this link (http://www.upinet.it/indicatore.asp?id_statistiche=6)).

Tourism seems to have now replaced the fishing and farming industries as the principal source of employment.

Geography

From Scoglitti to Pozzallo, the Ragusan coastline, is approximately 50 kilometres long, along the Ragusan coast are many fishing villages such as Casuzze, Kaukana, and Marina di Modica. The skyline of Ragusa is frequently punctuated by the towers, domes and cupolas of the many exquisite churches for which the province is famed. The area is mostly unspoilt, during the 19th century and early 20th century there was large migration from Ragusa to the more prosperous areas of Italy and abroad.

Ragusa has changed dramatically over the last 20 years largely due to tourism, however, in many places it remains untouched by the last two centuries, and has escaped unscathed from the excesses of discovery by the travelling world. In places one can still live there and feel oneself to be in the 18th century.

Sights

The city of Ragusa contains many examples of baroque architecture.

At Acate is the Castle of the Prince of Biscari constructed originally in 1494, it is a commanding feature of the Town Square. The construction of the castle was ordered by Baron Guglielmo Raimondo, its golden coloured stone work has been modified many times during is long history, it now appears more as an 18th century palazzo than a castle, although some crenelations and towers remain.

Communes

Ragusa has twelve communes: Acate, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Comiso, Giarratana, Ispica, Modica, Monterosso Almo, Pozzallo, Ragusa, Santa Croce Camerina, Scicli, Vittoria.