The country of Italy includes two major islands. What are they?

The Italian Republic extends beyond its famous peninsula to include the two largest islands in the entire Mediterranean Sea. The bigger of the two, Sicily, is the triangular island located just off the "toe" of Italy's boot, separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina. To the west, sitting in the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies Sardinia, the Mediterranean's second-largest island. Their sheer size and populations make them Italy's most significant and well-known island territories.

Sicily is a land steeped in ancient history and dominated by a dramatic landscape. It is famously home to Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, which has shaped both the island's geography and its mythology for millennia. Sicily served as a crucial crossroads of civilization, and its cities contain remarkably preserved Greek temples, Roman villas, and Norman cathedrals that stand as a testament to its layered and complex past.

While also possessing a rich history, Sardinia offers a different, more rugged character. Known for its stunningly beautiful coastline and mountainous interior, it has a culture and identity that feel distinct from the rest of Italy. The island is dotted with thousands of mysterious prehistoric stone structures called nuraghi, unique to its ancient Nuragic civilization. Both islands hold the special status of autonomous regions, granting them a degree of self-governance that honors their unique cultural heritage.