Ponza Islands

islands, Italy
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Insulae Pontiae, Isole di Ponza, Pontine Islands, Ponziane Islands
Also called:
Pontine Islands
Italian:
Isole di Ponza
Latin:
Insulae Pontiae

Ponza Islands, volcanic island group in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the west coast of south-central Italy. The islands include Ponza (the largest), Palmarola, and Zannone in a western cluster and Ventotene and Santo Stefano in an eastern group. The highest point of the island of Ponza is Monte Guardia (928 feet [283 metres]).

Regular steamer services connect Ponza with Naples and, in the summer, with Anzio and Formia. Kaolin (china clay) and bentonite are mined on the islands, which have become popular as summer resorts. Used since ancient times as places of exile, Ventotene has a prison, and Ponza was a place of banishment for political prisoners under the fascist regime. Area 4.2 square miles (10.9 square km). Pop. (2006 est.) 3,214.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.