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.
As any Azores islands map will show, due to their isolated location, the islands did not have too many people who were eager to settle there. Sheep were introduced for meat and the early settlers had to clear the land, planting grain, sugar cane, grapes and plants for food.
Gradually they introduced chickens, pigs, rabbits, cows and goats to enable them to be self-sufficient. However, these people may not have been the first inhabitants to reside on the Azores. Archaeologists found earthen structures carved into the rocks that may be the burial chambers of inhabitants dating back over 2, years. In , the Azores Islands were devastated by an earthquake. The resulting landslide hit Vila Franca do Campo, the early capital, taking 5, lives.
After the earthquake, Ponta Delgada became the capital, and today Vila Franca do Campo is a thriving port and hub for ocean-going yachts and fishing boats.
After the earthquake, the islands rebuilt and have now long attracted writers, philosophers and more than one pretender to the Portuguese throne! As you can see in the Azores island map, the islands hold a strategically important and unique position in the mid-Atlantic ocean. The islands were used in World War 2 as an air and naval base for the Allies. The Azores Islands are located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately five hours in flight from South America and two hours from Europe.
The island group is about 1, km west of mainland Portugal. The Azores archipelago comprises nine major islands and eight minor islands. The islands lie in a northwest-southeast direction, and are divided into three groups: northwest, central and eastern. The archipelago and the surrounding water body are an Exclusive Economic Zone of approximately 1.
The Azores Islands are volcanic islands that originated from the Azores Plateau. All the islands are within the boundary dividing the African and Eurasian plates except for Flores and Corvo located on the North American plate.
The island group comprises nine major islands and several islets. Six of the islands cover at least km 2. Pico Island is the second-largest island, covering km 2. Terceira Island has a population of 56, people and spans km 2. 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. Photo: Weedonio , Public domain. Corvo Corvo is an island in the Azores. Alongside Flores it is one of the two westernmost islands in the archipelago and both represent the only Portuguese territory geographically located in North America.
Photo: Wikimedia , CC0. Latitude of centre. Photo Map. Latitude of centre
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