# Messina

> Italian comune in Sicily

**Wikidata**: [Q13666](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13666)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/messina

## Summary
Messina is a major Italian comune and city (polis) located in the region of Sicily, Italy. It serves as the capital of the Metropolitan City of Messina and is situated on the northeastern coast of the island, separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina. With a history dating back to the 8th century BC (formerly known as Zancle and Messana), it is a significant urban center with a population of approximately 218,786 residents as of 2023.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Comune di Messina
- **Location:** Sicily, Italy (Metropolitan City of Messina); Coordinates: 38.1936°N, 15.5541°E
- **Area:** 213.75 square kilometres (as of October 9, 2011)
- **Elevation:** 3 metres above sea level
- **Population:** 218,786 (as of January 1, 2023); peaked at approximately 267,000 in 1986.
- **Inception:** Approximately 80 BC (Historical founding); replaces the ancient city of Messana.
- **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00 (Standard) / UTC+02:00 (Daylight Saving)
- **Demonym:** Messinese (singular), Messinesi (plural)
- **Patron Saint:** Eustochia Smeralda Calafato
- **License Plate:** ME
- **Dialing Code:** 090
- **Postal Code:** 98121–98168
- **Seismic Classification:** Zone 1 (High risk)
- **UN/LOCODE:** ITMSN
- **Website:** https://www.comune.messina.it/

## FAQs
**What is the administrative role of Messina?**
Messina serves as the capital of the Metropolitan City of Messina, a role it assumed on January 4, 2016, succeeding the former Province of Messina. Historically, it also served as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.

**What are the historical names and origins of Messina?**
The city was originally known as Zancle (or Zankle) and later Messana before being renamed Messina. Its inception is historically noted around the year -80 (80 BC) in the provided records.

**What are the demographic trends for Messina?**
The city has experienced population fluctuations, growing from an estimated 257,700 in 1972 to a peak of 267,000 in 1986. Recent data indicates a decline, with the population dropping from 237,603 in 2016 to 218,786 in 2023.

**Where is Messina located geographically?**
Messina is a port city located in northeast Sicily. It sits at an elevation of 3 meters and spans from its westernmost point (15.4079°E) to its easternmost point (15.6532°E), bordering the Strait of Messina.

## Why It Matters
Messina acts as a critical administrative and historical hub in Sicily. As a "big city" and "polis" classified by academic and geographic sources, it plays a vital role in the governance of the Metropolitan City of Messina. Its historical significance is underscored by its status as a former capital of the Kingdom of Sicily and its identification in classical antiquity as Zancle. The city's high seismic classification (Zone 1) also highlights its relevance in Italian civil protection and urban planning contexts.

## Notable For
- **Historical Continuity:** Replaces the ancient Greek colony of Messana and Zancle.
- **Administrative Center:** Serves as the capital of the Metropolitan City of Messina and historically the Kingdom of Sicily.
- **Global Identifiers:** Maintains an extensive presence in international knowledge graphs, including VIAF, GND, ISNI, and the Library of Congress.
- **Multilingual Coverage:** Has Wikipedia articles in over 150 languages, including diverse scripts from Armenian to Chinese (赞克莱).
- **Sports Infrastructure:** Owns notable facilities such as the Stadio Comunale Giovanni Celeste and Stadio San Filippo.

## Body

### Geography and Extent
Messina is located in Sicily, Italy, with central coordinates at 38.1936° N latitude and 15.5541° E longitude. The city covers an area of 213.75 square kilometres. Its topography is low-lying near the coast, with an elevation of just 3 metres above sea level.
The city's geographic boundaries are well-defined by specific coordinate points:
- **Northernmost:** 38.3014° N, 15.5419° E
- **Southernmost:** 38.0546° N, 15.4772° E
- **Easternmost:** 38.2670° N, 15.6532° E
- **Westernmost:** 38.0791° N, 15.4079° E

It shares land borders with several neighboring municipalities: Itala, Monforte San Giorgio, Rometta, Saponara, Villafranca Tirrena, Fiumedinisi, and Scaletta Zanclea.

### Demographics and Society
Messina has a dynamic demographic profile. The demonym for residents is *messinese* (singular) or *messinesi* (plural). Other variations include *missinisi* (masculine plural) and *mesinezo* (masculine singular).
Population statistics over time include:
- **1972:** 257,700 (est.)
- **1986:** 267,000 (est.)
- **1997:** 262,000 (est.)
- **2016:** 237,603 (June 30)
- **2017:** 236,962 (Jan 1)
- **2018:** 234,293 (Jan 1)
- **2023:** 218,786 (Jan 1, preferred data)

### History and Etymology
The city, originally known as **Zancle** (or Zankle) and subsequently **Messana**, officially replaced these entities to become Messina. Its historical inception is noted in records as roughly the year -80. Significant historical events associated with the city include multiple instances of the "Siege of Messina." Historically, it functioned as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.

### Administration and Local Government
Messina is the capital of the **Metropolitan City of Messina**, a status confirmed since January 4, 2016. Prior to this, it was the capital of the Province of Messina (until January 3, 2016). The city is part of the Italian Republic (since 1946) and utilizes the Italian license plate code **ME**. The local dialing code is **090**, and postal codes range from **98121 to 98168**.
Administratively, the city contains the administrative territorial entities: First Quarter, Second Quarter, Third Quarter, Fourth Quarter, Fifth Quarter, and Sixth Quarter.

### Infrastructure and Facilities
The city owns and operates two major sports facilities: the **Stadio Comunale Giovanni Celeste** and **Stadio San Filippo**. Messina has a **Seismic Classification of 1**, indicating a high level of seismic risk. Its port is recognized globally under the UN/LOCODE **ITMSN**.

### Identifiers and Authority Control
Messina is cataloged extensively across global libraries and databases:
- **Wikidata:** Q265049
- **VIAF:** 146699997, 150808161
- **ISNI:** 0000000121846492
- **GND (German National Library):** 4038833-5
- **Library of Congress:** n79046135
- **BNF (Bibliothèque nationale de France):** 138822010, 11864868q
- **GeoNames:** 6541859
- **Italian Cadastre Code:** F158
- **ISTAT ID:** 083048

### Cultural and Digital Presence
The official website is `comune.messina.it`. The city is represented visually by a flag, a coat of arms, and a montage image available on Wikimedia Commons. It is the subject of a Wikipedia article in approximately 139 languages (sitelink count), including Scots, Sicilian, and Simple English. It is categorized under "Category:Messina" and "Category:Views of Messina" on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. OpenStreetMap
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2016gen/index02.html)
8. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
9. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
10. Great dictionary of geographical names
11. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
12. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://bigenc.ru/c/messina-580bb2)
13. GeoNames
14. BBC Things
15. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
16. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
17. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
18. Provenio
19. Seismic classification in Italy
20. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)
21. museum-digital