Azores Islands
Lying in the middle of the North Atlantic, the Azores are a group of nine islands and eight tiny islets, and as an autonomous region of Portugal, they represent the westernmost point of the European Union. They are situated at a distance of 950 miles from mainland Portugal and around 2,400 miles from the coast of North America. The Azores were formed by volcanic activity and, looking from the bottom of the ocean, they represent some of highest mountains in the world. Prior to Portuguese colonization, which began in the fifteenth century, the archipelago was completely uninhabited. The islands played an important role in Portuguese modern history, serving as the stronghold of the liberals during the civil war. Their roughly 250,000 inhabitants live mainly from raising cattle, fishing and the tourist industry.
The nine islands of the Azores are spread out over a vast area. Based on their distance, they are classified in three groups. The western group consists of Flores and Corvo, the central group is formed by Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira, and São Miguel and Santa Maria make up the eastern group.
São Miguel
The island of São Miguel is the largest of the islands and home to one half of the population of the Azores. Ponta Delgada, one of the three capital cities of the Azores and the largest city is also situated on São Miguel. The other two capital cities are Angra do Heroismo and Horta, located on Terceira and Faial respectively. Corvo is the smallest island with a mere 500 inhabitants.
Tourist Industry
The islands’ tourist industry has been steadily developing over the years. Despite the existence of beautiful beaches, with a yearly average air temperature of 17⁰ C (63⁰ F), sunbathing is not the main source of attraction for tourists. This is not to say that swimming in the ocean is impossible, as the waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream. Nevertheless, visitors are mostly drawn by the natural beauty, as well as a range of available activities, such as whale watching, trekking, diving, paragliding, horseback riding, cycling and sailing. In fact, the Azores are the perfect spot for both an active holiday and a quiet retreat. There are both upscale resorts and rural boarding houses that offer a unique countryside experience. The Azores are also one of the safest tourist destinations on the planet, with virtually no reported assaults on tourists and a good standard of living. A considerable part of the islands’ population consists of former emigrants who returned from the United States and Canada, so language differences will not be a problem.
Hot Springs and Lakes
The Azores are famous for their hot springs and lakes that lie inside volcanic craters. One of the most impressive landscapes in the Azores is the Sete Cidades (Seven Cities), a huge volcanic crater on São Miguel that boasts two freshwater lakes. What is particularly interesting is the difference in color between the two lakes; one is emerald green and the other a deep blue color. Equally dazzling is Furna de Enxofre, a 270 feet-deep volcanic tunnel on the island of Graciosa, taking us into the ground to a secluded warm lake.
Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroismo
The cities of Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroismo are tourist attractions in their own right. The latter was a very important outpost of the Portuguese empire and has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Vacation of a Lifetime
If you decide to visit the Azores, be prepared for the vacation of a lifetime! The islands’ unique setting will make your friends and colleagues blush with envy when you show them your holiday photographs from this extraordinary place on the very border between the Old Continent and the New World!
