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• The Strait of Messina separates the island of Sicily from the Apennine Peninsula and connects the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian.
• There are constant currents – weak and double-layered in depth: in the upper layer – to the north (montante), in the lower layer – to the south (skandent). The reason is that the Tyrrhenian Sea is warmer and less salty than the Ionian Sea, and the difference in density creates montante and skandente, causing waves.
• The shores of the strait are almost entirely rocky, and where there are no rocks, there are extensive shallows. All these factors together created the strait of the notoriety of the “ship killer”. In addition, under the influence of strong winds are very dangerous cycles of water.
• The Strait of Messina is known for the dense traffic of ships: about 15 thousand pass through the strait for a year, about 160 thousand ferry flights take place. The traffic control system in the strait is still far from ideal, and if there is a shipwreck here, then wrong man’s actions become the cause.
• In 1957, a 220 kV transmission line was built across the Strait of Messina. Its pylons, which are considered to be the highest in the world, have been preserved even after the power lines have been replaced by a submarine cable, and they still remain a local landmark.

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