The Jewel of the Mediterranean Geography and Administration Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, coming after Sicily. As an autonomous region of Italy, Sardinia covers a total area of 24,090 square kilometers and is home to a population of 1.6 million people. The capital city is Cagliari, and the island is divided into eight provinces: Cagliari, Carbonia-Iglesias, Medio Campidano, Nuoro, Ogliastra, Olbia-Tempio, Oristano, and Sassari. Coastal Beauty