London to Dar es Salaam

Ruins in the Valley of the Temples in Sicily, where seven Greek temples remain as some of the best preserved examples of Doric Greek architecture.

The Necropolis of Pantalica in Sicily, consisting of more than 5,000 tombs carved into the rocky, inhospitable hillside between the 13th and 7th centuries BC.

The temple of Concordia, one of the best preserved temples, with a view back up the western side of the valley to Agrigento.

Remains of the temple of Heracles in the Valley of the Temples, Sicily.

The façade of the La Zisa Palace, built as a retreat near Palermo by Norman kings during their time on the island.

A satellite image locating Sicily in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Smoke can be seen trailing from the summit of Mount Etna during the 2002 eruption.

The Cathedral in Palermo, built in 1185, sits on the site of both an early Christian basilica and an Islamic mosque, reflecting the turbulent history of Sicily.

1920 - "Siracura Teatro greco Massimo" - the Greek ampitheatre at Syracuse.

A 16th century map of Sicily drawn up by the Turkish naval cartographer and geographer Piri Reis in Kitab-i Bahriye - the Book of Navigation - one of the most accurate historical sources of mapping.

A map of the Silk Road, the 1st Century trade route running across China and Europe to Sicily and Italy, with the original country names from Ptolemy's "Geography".

The Necropolis of Pantalica, consisting of more than 5,000 tombs carved into the rocky, inhospitable hillside between the 13th and 7th centuries BC.

The temple of Juno, traditionally used for wedding celebrations, in the Valley of the Temples.

1920 - "Siracura-Contorni Strada dei sepolori" - a "side road" within the network of tombs at Syracuse.

Villages nestle on the slopes of Etna, making the most of the fertile soils but living perilously close to the most active volcano in Europe.

A dramatic eruption of Mount Etna in 2002 as viewed from the International Space Station. Ashfall was reported in Libya, more than 600km away.

A lateral crater of the 2002-2003 eruption near the Torre del Filosofo, about 450 metres below Etna's summit. Notice the yellow sulphur deposits across the surface.

A wide angle view from the International Space Station of the 2002 smoke plume from Etna's eruption. Lighter smoke is due to forest fires caused by erupting lava.

Hot magma bubbles and spews from Mount Etna, during an eruption in 2001. Some magma bubbles were over 1 metre in diameter.

This satellite image shows bright, glowing magma eruptions and the puffy clouds generated by water vapour released during the eruption.

This ASTER image maps historic lava flows across Etna's surface. The long dark purple flow to the right is from the 1981 eruption, with the dark purple flows at the centre from the 1600s.

1930 - Taormina: a view out from a Sicilan villa to the smoking Mount Etna.

"Intérieur du cratère de l'Etna Direction NE 14 Juin 1834" - An artist's impression of the interior of the crater of Etna, looking north east in 1834.

Smoke and steam rises from a snow capped Mount Etna during an eruption - the volcano is almost constantly active.

A house destroyed by lava on the slopes of Mount Etna - the nearby population live at constant risk of a major eruption.

A computer generated topographic image of Mount Etna and the north-eastern tip of Sicily - the peak rises 3,329 metres above the sea.

An aerial view of the 2008 eruption of Etna, which was accompanied by a swarm of more than 200 earthquakes and surface lava eruptions.

The pace of life in Sicily remains relaxed, as it has for generations, with plenty of time for community and family.

A typical Sicilian coutryard in the fishing village of Syracuse.

Fishing and pleasure boats on the quayside in Aci Castello - fishing is one of the major industries of Sicily.

1890 - Valle de Bove: A group of Sicilian shepherds outside their stone hut and elevated larder (raised to keep their food away from animals) on the slopes of Mount Etna.

A view over Caltanissetta and the Sicilian countryside - rolling hills, pasture and citrus groves.

Sicilian lemons in a local market - citrus fruit has been grown in the groves of Sicily for generations.

1929 - "Palermo. Panorama veduto dal Palazzo Reale" - the panoramic view from Palazzo Reale.

A street market in Palermo, Sicily, selling local produce from family run farms. This often includes oranges, lemons, pistachios, grapes and olives.

Families come together to celebrate the feast day of Sant'Agata, a Sicilian martyr, in traditional robes and processions.

1930 - "Canterini etnes dell O N D Catania Danzo siciliene (la tarantella)" - Traditional Sicilian singing and dancing of the tarantella, cheerful music and enthusiastic dance.

Children line in precession during a saint's day celebration in Palermo - the majority of the population are strictly Catholic and formally observe saints and feast days.

1927 - Sicilian decorated horse drawn cart in Palermo. Painted in bright colours and traditional patterns these are still used across Sicily today.

1900 - A map depicting Mafia activity across Sicily - red dots indicate towns with Mafia influence, and black dots indicate towns without. Provinces are shaded according to their agricultural productivity.