The westernmost point of this area is 3, km 2, mi from the North American continent. All of the islands have volcanic origins, although Santa Maria also has some reef contribution. Mount Pico on Pico Island, at 2, m 7, ft in altitude, is the highest in all of Portugal.
The Azores are actually the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean. The archipelago forms the Autonomous Region of Azores, one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, along with the archipelago of Madeira. The Azores islands were discovered or recognized, depending on the Historian, in by Portuguese navigators. The Azores islands were populated in the 15th century by pioneers from Portugal although small groups of Flemings settled in some of the islands.
During the 16th and 17th centuries the Azores archipelago was one of the centers of trade between Europe America and India, and its ports sheltered and serviced galleons loaded with treasures.
Officially, the first islands were discovered in the fifteenth century by Diogo de Silves a Captain at the service of Infante D. Important naval battles were fought in the waters of the Azores in that period, during the attacks by corsairs and pirates. The following centuries were calmer, but in the Azores returned to the pages of history with the role played by Terceira in the struggle against the absolutist forces, and as the base for the liberal forces invading the mainland Portugal to regain power.
The archipelago developed during the 19th and 20th centuries with the introductions of new crops, the developing of industries, and progress made with stock-breeding and fisheries.
The last few years have witnessed a slow but progressive improvement in the economic and social well-being of the population. Most of this improvement is due to the inflow of capital donations from emigrants almost all from North America , the annual leasing of the Lajes Air Field to the United States, and grants from the European Community.
Statistically the driest month is July and the wettest November. Frost is non-existent in Azores. The average annual rainfall increases from east to west, with annual precipitation of mm The Azores high, an area of high atmospheric pressure, is named after the islands. Light clothes, with one or two sweater or jacket pieces for the cooler days or nights, are enough all year round. In the winter slightly warmer clothing may be necessary.
The island is narrow, with a length of 53 km and a width of 8 km. It has a population of around 9, people. It is home to some 14, people. Flores Islands forms part of Azores' western island group and spans km 2 , with over 3, people. The other three major Azorean islands are Santa Maria 97 km 2 , Graciosa 62 km 2 , and Corvo 17 km 2. The average annual precipitation increases westwards and averages 6, mm on Mount Pico, 1, mm in Flores, and mm in Santa Maria.
The Azores Islands experience the warmest winter in Europe. It has been suggested that human presence on the Azores Islands could date back 2, years ago. However, there has been no conclusive evidence that human occupation on the islands precedes the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. The Europeans at least knew of the islands as early as the 14th century, and they did appear in maps and sea voyage accounts. Before the Portuguese could settle on the islands, they brought in sheep that would provide food for future settlers.
The Portuguese Civil War in the early 19th century had a great impact on the Azores. When Liberals won against the monarchists, they made Terceira Island their new headquarters. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the archipelago experienced tremendous growth, including industry establishment and the introduction of more new crops.
In , the archipelago became a Portuguese Autonomous Region. With an abundance of wild flowers hence its name Flores has many lake-filled craters on the Central Massif. Nearby Monchiquet islet is the westernmost point of Europe. Known as the Island of the Crow, Corvo is the smallest and northernmost island on the Azores map.
Sao Miguel inhabitants have a distinct accent unlike anywhere else in Portugal. English is also widely spoken due to this being the main tourism destination. The Azores islands have a mild, temperate climate with the warming effects of the Gulf Stream giving them one of the mildest winters in Europe.
Although the surrounding seas on the Azores map have a favorable influence on air temperatures, it also means that the climate in the Azores is generally humid, wet and cloudy. The islands have an annual rainfall totaling mm 37 inches , mainly in the winter months. If you want to know the best time to visit, checkout our month-by-month comparison. The Azores are steep and rocky which gives a clue to their formation.
They are the result of volcanic activity below the sea along the Azores Triple Junction and the Terceira Rift. The most recent volcanic activity was in when the Capelinhos Volcano erupted offshore from Faial Island. The islands you see on the Azores islands map are in fact the tips of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, although most of the landmass is underwater.
Mount Pico on Pico Island is the highest point in Portugal standing 2,m 7, feet above sea level. So imagine how high that mountain actually is when measured from the ocean floor! It is thought that the first and oldest island to be formed was Santa Maria, 8 million years ago and the youngest is Pico, which was formed , years ago. However, following the volcanic eruption in , a new islet was formed and named Sabrina Island. Some of the most interesting sites for visitors to the Azores are the result of ancient volcanic activity.
These include lava tubes, hot springs, black sand, vivid blue and green lakes and coastal lava fields.
This unique landscape makes the Azores a phenomenal place for hiking and other outdoor activities. Over the next two centuries, more people settled on the islands from many different places, giving the Azores a remarkably diverse and unique culture, dialect and cuisine.
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