Theprovince of Agrigento (Italian:provincia di Agrigento;Sicilian:pruvincia di Girgenti) was aprovince in the autonomous island region ofSicily inItaly, situated on its south-western coast. Following the suppression of the Sicilian provinces, it was replaced in 2015 by theFree Municipal Consortium of Agrigento (Italian:libero consorzio comunale di Agrigento). As of 2025, the area has a population of 408,059 in an area of 3,052.59 square kilometres (1,178.61 sq mi) across its 43 municipalities (comuni).[2][1]
Greek colonists from Gela founded the province in the 6th century BC as Akragas. Carthage destroyed the province in 406 BC, but it was later ruled by the Romans, Goths, Byzantines, and Arabs. The Arabs rebuilt several parts of the province. Several ancient Doric temples were constructed during the 6th and 5th century BC to worship Hercules, Jupiter, Juno, Castor, Pollux, and Demeter. They are located in theValley of Temples (Italian:Valle dei Templi).[4] The ancient temples and other architectural structures were built using the stones of the hills near Capo San Marco.[5]
The province faces theChannel of Sicily in the south and is known for its beaches. Torre Salsa's beaches have been designated natural reserves and are protected due to their environmental importance.[5]
As of 2025, the province has a population of 408,059, of whom 48.9% are male and 51.1% are female. Minors make up 15.3% of the population, and seniors make up 24.5%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.[2]
As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 31,168, equal to 7.6% of the population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities areGermans (7,746),Romanians (5,709),Moroccans (1,976),Swiss (1,561) andBelgians (1,461).[8]
The economy is primarily based on agriculture and tourism. Port traffic is also moderate, centered onPorto Empedocle, which was once a thriving hub for the sale of sulfur from the Pasquasia mine in Enna and smaller deposits. Today, drought and the inequity of the water supply system make water crises frequent.
According to the government records the number of unemployed people is about 17% of the total labour force.[9]
Viticulture produces fine wines, including Inzolia and Marsala, and sparkling wines, all distinctive and driving forces for a rather depressed economy. The total area covered by vineyards in 1984 was almost triple to that in 1949.[10] During this periodMarsala based wine merchants used the grapes produced in the province to produceMarsala wine. In 1984 the local government passed a law that regulated this practice.[11] Around three-quarters of the Sicilian land devoted to growingFiano grapes is in the province.[12] Some of the important municipalities known for their vineyards includeSambuca di Sicilia, Menfi, andSanta Margherita di Belice.[13]
The Agrigento area is not served by any highways, having only a few expressways. However, the SS 640 is currently being upgraded to a modern highway from Agrigento to the A19 motorway, passing through Caltanissetta.The road network in the province comprises 540 km. of street roads, 1,000 km. of provincial roads, 260 km. of communal roads and 56 km. of regional roads.[9]
The Agrigento area is crossed by three railway lines open to passenger traffic, all operated byRFI, for a total of approximately 150 km: the Palermo-Agrigento line, the Caltanissetta Xirbi-Agrigento line—which meet at the Aragona station—and the Syracuse-Canicattì line. All three lines have single-track electrification, except the Syracuse-Canicattì line, which is not electrified.
