Geologically, part of the archipelago (Lampedusa and Lampione) is on the African continental shelf,[1][2] while Linosa is of volcanic origin.

Politically and administratively though, the islands fall within the Sicilian province of Agrigento and represent the southernmost part of Italy.

Despite pockets of agriculture, the islands are unnaturally barren due to wanton deforestation and the disappearance of the native olive groves, juniper and carob plantations.

much of the landscape was farmland bounded by dry stone walls but today, the local economy is based on sponge fishing and canning, supplemented by tourism in Lampedusa.

The Pelagie Islands have been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support breeding populations of Scopoli's shearwaters and European shags.