Sant’Antioco, Cala Raia, and the isolated islets of La Vacca, Il Vitello, and in the distance, Il Toro.
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Positioned in the southwestern extremity of Sardinia, the island of Sant’Antioco is connected to its mainland counterpart via both a bridge and a carefully constructed isthmus. On ancient Roman occasions, this area was commonly referred to as Insula Plumbaria. Sant’Antioco is Italy’s fourth largest island, measuring 108.9 km², roughly half the size of Elba and larger than Pantelleria at 83 km². It precedes San Pietro, its “sister” island, which ranks sixth in terms of land area within Italian territory. The island’s geological history reveals a volcanic genesis, with ancient volcanic activity dating back approximately 15 to 20 million years ago, having since subsided into inactivity. The coastline of the island features rugged terrain characterized by extensive rock formations. The western half of the coastline, oriented towards the open sea, features dramatic topography defined by vertically inclined or extremely steep cliffs, punctuated by caves and a limited number of inlets, with minimal expansive beachfronts. The Japanese coastline, overlooking Sardinia, features a low-lying, sandy shoreline that gradually transforms into a lagoon-like appearance as it reaches the narrow isthmus connecting it to Sardinia itself. The southern Gulf Coast, situated south of the isthmus, boasts sprawling expanses of giant sandy beaches, flanked by tombolos and towering dunes. The interior of the island features rolling hills with limited elevation changes, and it lacks any significant waterways. Located offshore to the south lie a cluster of rocky islets, several of which remain uninhabited and pose challenges for navigation, with Toro Island being the most significant of these hazards. The dominant vegetation on the island of Sant’Antioco is a characteristic low-Mediterranean scrubland, comprising a mix of rockrose (Cistus), mastic (Pistacia lentiscus), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), and juniper (Juniperus). Among the diverse flora on the island, two notable species include the dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis), a sole native European species, and the Cretan date (Phoenix theophrasti). The island’s landscape is characterized by sheltered areas, primarily small family-run vegetable gardens and vineyards, especially in its most protected half. The most extensively cultivated fruit bushes include various grapevine species, namely Vitis vinifera, alongside figs and prickly pears.
