# Caronia

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q495936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q495936)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caronia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/caronia

## Summary
Caronia is a *comune* (municipality) in Italy, located in the Metropolitan City of Messina within the region of Sicily. It is a small administrative division with a population of around 3,000–3,300 residents, known for its settlements like Marina di Caronia and the frazione of Canneto.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Italian *comune* (municipal division).
- **Location**: Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy.
- **Coordinates**: 38.016666666667° N, 14.433333333333° E.
- **Population**: 3,339 (latest data), with historical counts of 3,279 and 3,042.
- **Administrative Structure**: Part of the Province of Messina and the broader Metropolitan City of Messina (established August 4, 2015).
- **Settlements**: Includes Marina di Caronia (a coastal human settlement) and Canneto (a *frazione*, or sub-municipality).
- **Website**: Official municipal site at [http://www.comune.caronia.me.it](http://www.comune.caronia.me.it).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q38 (Italy), with 50 sitelinks across languages.

## FAQs
**Where is Caronia located?**
Caronia is situated in the Metropolitan City of Messina, within the Sicilian region of Italy. It lies at coordinates 38.0167° N, 14.4333° E, near the Tyrrhenian Sea.

**What is the population of Caronia?**
The population fluctuates around 3,000–3,300 residents, with recorded figures of 3,339, 3,279, and 3,042 in recent years.

**What are the main settlements within Caronia?**
Caronia includes **Marina di Caronia**, a coastal settlement, and **Canneto**, a *frazione* (subdivision) of the municipality.

**When was the Metropolitan City of Messina established?**
The Metropolitan City of Messina was created on **August 4, 2015**, replacing the former Province of Messina as an administrative division.

**What is the official website of Caronia?**
The municipality’s official website is [http://www.comune.caronia.me.it](http://www.comune.caronia.me.it), providing institutional and administrative information.

## Why It Matters
Caronia represents a microcosm of Italy’s local governance structure, illustrating how *comuni* function as the smallest administrative units in the country. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan City of Messina reflects Italy’s broader efforts to streamline regional administration, particularly in Sicily. The presence of distinct settlements like Marina di Caronia and Canneto highlights the diversity of Italian municipal organization, where coastal and inland areas coexist under a single governance framework. For researchers and policymakers, Caronia serves as a case study in small-scale municipal management within Italy’s complex administrative hierarchy.

## Notable For
- **Small-Scale Governance**: Exemplifies Italy’s *comune* system, the smallest administrative division in the country.
- **Coastal and Inland Settlements**: Home to **Marina di Caronia**, a coastal area, and **Canneto**, a *frazione*, showcasing diverse local geographies.
- **Administrative Transition**: Part of the **Metropolitan City of Messina**, a modern administrative reform (2015) replacing the traditional province system.
- **Low Population Density**: A rural or semi-rural municipality with a population under 3,500, typical of many Sicilian *comuni*.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website, a rarity for very small Italian towns, indicating active local governance.

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Structure
Caronia is located in **Sicily, Italy**, within the **Metropolitan City of Messina**, which replaced the **Province of Messina** in 2015. The municipality sits at **38.0167° N, 14.4333° E**, placing it in the northern part of Sicily, near the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is classified as a *comune*, the basic administrative unit in Italy, responsible for local governance, public services, and urban planning.

The municipality includes two notable settlements:
- **Marina di Caronia**: A coastal human settlement, likely serving as a small port or fishing community.
- **Canneto**: A *frazione* (subdivision) of Caronia, indicating a smaller village or hamlet under its jurisdiction.

### Demographics
Caronia’s population has been recorded at multiple points:
- **3,339** (most recent data)
- **3,279** (previous count)
- **3,042** (earlier count)

These figures suggest a stable but modest population, typical of rural Sicilian municipalities. The demographic trends likely reflect broader patterns of depopulation in Italy’s smaller towns, driven by urban migration and aging populations.

### Governance and Infrastructure
As a *comune*, Caronia operates under Italy’s local governance framework, with an elected mayor (*sindaco*) and municipal council. It falls under the administrative oversight of the **Metropolitan City of Messina**, which coordinates regional services like transportation, waste management, and economic development.

The municipality maintains an **official website** ([http://www.comune.caronia.me.it](http://www.comune.caronia.me.it)), providing institutional information, administrative services, and local news. This digital presence is notable for a small *comune*, indicating efforts to modernize local governance.

### Relationship to Broader Administrative Divisions
Caronia is part of several nested administrative layers:
1. **Metropolitan City of Messina** (est. 2015): A metropolitan-level division replacing the former province, aimed at improving regional coordination.
2. **Province of Messina**: The historical administrative unit, now superseded but still referenced in some contexts.
3. **Sicily**: The autonomous region of Italy, with its own regional government and legislative powers.

### Connected Entities
- **Marina di Caronia**: A coastal settlement within Caronia, likely contributing to local tourism or fishing industries.
- **Canneto**: A *frazione* of Caronia, representing a smaller rural community under its administration.
- **Metropolitan City of Messina**: The overarching administrative body governing Caronia and surrounding municipalities.

### Significance in Italian Municipal Systems
Caronia’s structure reflects Italy’s decentralized governance model, where *comuni* handle day-to-day local affairs while larger divisions (metropolitan cities, regions) manage broader policies. Its small size and rural character make it representative of thousands of similar municipalities across Italy, particularly in southern regions like Sicily. The transition from the **Province of Messina** to the **Metropolitan City of Messina** in 2015 highlights Italy’s ongoing administrative reforms to improve efficiency and regional planning.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Beyond its official website, Caronia is documented in **Wikidata** with 50 sitelinks, indicating its presence in multiple language editions of Wikipedia and other knowledge bases. This ensures visibility in global datasets, aiding research on Italian municipal systems.

### Challenges and Opportunities
Like many small Italian *comuni*, Caronia likely faces challenges such as:
- **Depopulation**: Younger residents migrating to urban centers for employment.
- **Aging Infrastructure**: Limited resources for maintaining roads, schools, and public services.
- **Economic Sustainability**: Reliance on agriculture, fishing, or tourism with limited industrial development.

However, its coastal location (via Marina di Caronia) and inclusion in the Metropolitan City of Messina may provide opportunities for tourism development, regional funding, and improved connectivity.

### Comparative Context
Caronia is one of **7,904 *comuni*** in Italy (as of recent counts), with Sicily alone hosting **390 municipalities**. Its population places it in the lower tier of Italian *comuni*, many of which struggle with similar demographic and economic pressures. The presence of both coastal and inland settlements within its borders makes it a microcosm of Sicily’s diverse geography.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. OpenStreetMap
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Italian National Institute of Statistics
7. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
8. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
9. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
10. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
11. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
12. Seismic classification in Italy
13. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)