Sicily and encouraged the growth of smallholdings, undermining the dominance of the latifundia. The Arabs further improved irrigation systems. The language spoken in Sicily under Arab rule was Siculo-Arabic and Arabic influence is still present in some Sicilian words today. Although the language is extinct in Sicily, it has developed into what is now the Maltese language on the islands of Malta today. A description of Palermo was given by Ibn Hawqal, an Arab merchant who visited Sicily in 950. A walled suburb, called the Al-Kasr (the palace), is the centre of Palermo to this day, with the great Friday mosque
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital Metropolitan City of Rome Capital Metropolitan City of Rome Capital () is metropolitan city in the Lazio region, Italy. Comprises the Rome and suburbs - 120 other municipalities ("comuni"). With more than 4.3 millions inhabitants, it is the largest metropolitan city in Italy. It replaced the Province of Rome. It was firstly created by the reform of local authorities (Law 142/1990) and then established by the Law 56/2014. It has been officially operative since 1 January 2015. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital is headed by the Metropolitan Mayor ("Sindaco metropolitano") and by the Metropolitan Council ("Consiglio metropolitano"). Since 20