PALERMO, the province of which the above town is the capital, is bounded on the N. by the Mediterranean, E. by the provinces of Messina and Catania, S. by that of Trapani, and W. by those of Girgenti and Caltanissetta; length from N.W. to S.E., 66 miles; breadth, 48 miles; area, 1985 square miles. The coast is irregular; and the surface consists of barren hills and rich valleys, having a general slope towards the north. Numerous small streams flow through the province into the Mediterranean. The country produces corn, oil, fruits, almonds, manna, shumac, liquorice, silk, &c. It is the largest and the best peopled of the Sicilian provinces. Pop. (1856) 541,326.