AUGUSTA, a seaport of Sicily, 19m. N. of Syracuse by rail. Pop. (1931) 22,68o (town); 23,569 (commune). It occupies a part of the former peninsula of Xiphonia, now a small island, connected with the mainland by a bridge. Founded by the Emperor Frederick II. (1232), it was almost destroyed by earth quake (1693) after which it was rebuilt. The castle is now a large prison. The fine fortified port is used only as a naval har bour. There are considerable saltworks at Augusta.