Azores
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Overview based largely on Encyclopedia Britannica.

Geography

Three widely separated groups of islands make up the Azores, 

Eastern Group Sao Miguel Port of Ponta Delgada (Capital)
Santa Maria  
Formigas islets  
Central Group  Fayal or Faial Enlarged in 1957/8 by volcanic eruption Port of Horta
Pico Highest rising to 7,713 ft(2,351m)
Sao Jorge  
Terceira Port of Angra
Graciosa  
Northwestern group Flores  
Corvo  

 

There are a number of smaller islands. In total the land mass is 868 sq miles (2,247 sq km), and estimates of the population varies from 236,500 to 330,000, mostly of Portuguese origin. About half the population are on Sao Miguel and Santa Maria.
Principle sea ports are Angra do Heroismo, known as Angra, Porta Delgada and Horta. CTC and P&O run cruises to the main port of Ponta Delgada.

International Airports. Ponta Delgada (PDL) (Sao Miguel), Santa Maria (SMA) (Vila do Porto) and Terceira (TER) (Terceira). Flight about 2 hours from Lisbon (Lisbon is 2 hours from London). TAP Air Portugal operates flights to the Azores and SATA Air Acores runs interconnecting flights between islands.

There is a NATO air base on/at Lajes maintained by the USA. 

Geologically unstable, with many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Hot springs can be found.

Government

An autonomous region of Portugal with its own government made up of a president and cabinet, regional assembly as the legislature, and its own administration.

The Capital of the Azores is Porta Delgada on Sao Miguel, one of the eastern group.

Economy

Intensive agriculture produces cereals, vegetables, and fruit including pineapples, bananas, oranges, apricots and grapes for wine production.

Many of the islands hillsides are still covered by mixed forests.

Exports include hand embroidery, pineapples, canned fish and wine.

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Last updated: October 09, 2002.