Palermo << puh LUR moh or puh LAIR moh >> (pop. 630,828) is the capital and chief seaport of Sicily, an Italian island. It lies along the Tyrrhenian Sea in northwestern Sicily. Palermo is a center of industry and trade. Produce from nearby farms is sold or processed there. Palermo exports agricultural products, including canned foods, citrus fruits, and wines. Industries include fishing and the manufacture of furniture, glass, steel, and textiles. People visit Palermo to see its museum, churches, and palaces. The city is the home of the University of Palermo. Modern suburbs surround the city’s older section.
The Phoenicians founded Palermo between the 600’s and 500’s B.C. Muslims captured the city in A.D. 831. Under their rule, Palermo became a center of trade and culture. The Normans conquered the city in 1072 and made it the capital of the kingdom of Sicily. Several countries held Palermo before it became part of Italy in 1860.
