Augusta is located on a peninsula at the east coast, north of Siracusa. The entire area is coined by a huge industrial area, which spreads south of the town along the coast. On the one hand the region is provided with jobs by the near industry, but on the other hand a beautiful strip of the coast was destroyed by the large chemical plant.
The town itself was strongly damaged by the earthquake in the year 1990. Still today many of the damages are not repaired yet.