About Azores

The Archipelago of Azores, situated in the middle of the Atlantic, is circa 1.300 Km away from continental Europe. The nine volcanic islands form three main groups, the two most distant being separated by more than 600 Km.

The last significant volcanic eruption occurred in 1957/8 on the Island of Faial, when the Vulcão dos Capelinhos became active for several months.

In the islands of Azores, altitudes above 1.000 metres are common, the highest spot being the Pico volcano, 2.351 metres above sea level.  The climate is mild, winter average temperatures reaching 14^oC and summer average temperatures of 21^oC.

Since the 14th century, some maps have recorded these islands, but it was only in the first half of the 15th century that the Portuguese began a systematic occupation. No human being ever lived there before and the first colonizers had to face a wild yet fertile territory. Families from the Portuguese regions of Algarve, Alentejo, and Estremadura were the first to go. Later people from the Netherlands, Castilla, France, and Italy also moved there.

For centuries, agriculture and cattle raising were the main activities; during the 19th and 20th centuries whale capture became another very significant economic activity in Azores. The last whale was captured in Azores in 1987; during the following year a Museum celebrating that ended activity was opened to the public. The strategic location of the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic also benefited trade activities as transatlantic ships frequently stopped there.

- Interesting links about Azores
  (all information about Azores, in English)

- About Pico Island