Country Facts And Traveller Information
Lying roughly 3,900 kms from the east coast of the USA and 1500 kms from the Lisbon coast in the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, the Azores is, in fact, an Autonomous Region of Portugal, although being self governing gives it the unique identity of a nation in its own right. Nine major islands make up the Azores along with eight small, uninhabited 'Formigas' or islets, collectively extending for more than 600 kms in a northwest-southeast direction and covering around 2,346 sq kms. The larger islands provide home for a population of over 243,000, Sao Miguel being the biggest with the greatest number of inhabitants whereas Corvo, at just 17sq kms, has only around 500 permanent residents.
The Azores archipelago is divided into three areas - Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas islets forming the Eastern Group, Terceria, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial forming the Central Group with Flores and Corvo making up the Eastern Group of islands. The country's five cities are found on only three of them - Ponta Delgada, the capital, is on Sao Miguel, and even though Terceria and Faial are also home to bustling urban environments, peaceful rural countryside exists in abundance on each and every island, whatever group they're in. And as a geographical situation in the North Atlantic ensures little fluctuation in temperatures throughout the seasons and significant rain only likely between October and March, the Azores promise warm sunny weather at any time of the year making these islands a popular destination with tourists from all over the world.
The unique natural heritage and outstanding scenic beauty of the Azores is it's greatest asset, the sheer diversity of which caters for many different species of flora and fauna, particularly on the Formigas which remain the unspoilt, sole domain of the plants, birds and wildlife that have colonised them for centuries. The vegetation on the larger islands is lush, green and appears relatively untouched, thriving on a mineral-rich soil and temperate maritime climate, but extensive deforestation has occurred in many areas since the islands were first colonized in the 15th century, as settlers discovered the excellent farming potential of the Azores - an industry that is still considered to be one of the most important contributors to the welfare and economic growth of the nation.
Volcanic in origin, the land area of the Azores is actually formed from the tops of some of the tallest mountains on earth (taking a measurement from the ocean floor), the volcano on Pico Island rising to a lofty 2,351 m above sea level, making it the highest peak in Portugal. Located on a junction between three large tectonic plates, the landscapes and environments of the Azores are inevitably prone to turbulent natural forces, but despite the last volcanic eruption in the Azores being as recent as 1957 on Faial Island, it has had little affect on the country's buoyant tourist industry with increasing numbers of visitors seeking holiday accommodation in Azores over the years. While walking, cycling and sailing are amongst the most popular activities to be enjoyed on the different islands, there are sporting, leisure and recreational pastimes that everyone can enjoy - the chance to simply watch whales and dolphins in the Atlantic or stroll into the crater of a volcano often being reason enough for some people to rent a holiday apartment, villa, or cottage on Faial Island!
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