The island of Linosa, covering 5.4 square kilometers, is of volcanic origin with several cones which are built from pyroclastic material. The highest point of the island is 195 meters (Mount Vulcano). Agriculture, including vineyards and horticultural crops, is still practiced in the flat areas. The climate is upper dry sub-Mediterranean with variable precipitation. The island offers a unique environment, both in terms of nature and landscape, with peculiar xerophilous vegetation and rare plant species. Linosa hosts the largest colony of Scopoli’s shearwater in the Mediterranean, both with several species of insects and an endemic population of Maltese wall lizard. The pozzolana di ponente beach is important for the egg laying of loggerhead turtles.