The amazing view of Caldeira (Lagoa) Comprida, Flores, October 2002. Photo: Staffan Rodebrand

The Azores archipelago lies in the North Atlantic, more than a third of the way from Portugal to Newfoundland. There are nine main islands of volcanic origin divided into three groups. The eastern group consists of São Miguel and Santa Maria, the central group of Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the western group of Flores and Corvo.
   The Azorean landscape is composed of contrasts. There are rugged mountains divided by valleys and winding ravines, crater lakes, hot springs, high waterfalls, dark conifer forests, - or lush almost rain-forest like deciduous woods, sheltered bays, picturesque villages, and a pastoral countryside with grazing cows in pastures fenced in by lava block walls or flowering Hydrangea hedges.
   From when the first human settlers arrived around 1445, the inhabitants have mainly been occupied by fishing, farming, and trading. Due to its strategic geographic position, the archipelago became important for the main routes between Europe, the Orient and America during 16th and 17th centuries. This period saw many naval battles around the Azores, including foreign naval ships as well as pirates. Today the Azores is a far from violent place, only the slumbering volcanic activity to watch out for.
   Together with the Madeira, the Selvagens Islands, the Canaries and the Cape Verde Islands, the Azores archipelago forms the region called Macaronesia (from Greek "makaros"=happy, "nesos"=island).

With kind permission of use by Pierre de Sousa Lima.

Red Admiral. Photo: Ricardo Guerreiro

Flora and Fauna
The Azores is lush, green islands of the Atlantic Ocean, where temperatures are mild and change little from season to season. Like many other isolated islands, the Azores has many native plant species that are living fossils, related to the pre glacial flora of Europe. The archipelago has a high number of endemic species found nowhere else. Since the arrival of the first settlers to the Azores, the native flora has suffered severe degradation at the hand of forest clearing, agriculture, and the introduction of exotic species. Dense areas of larissilva, relics of the temperate hygrophyte forest that covered the archipelago before it was inhabited, can still be found in many islands.
   The vegetation of the Azores is composed of about 900 vascular plants, including 59 endemic species where some of the dominant species are: Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), Holly (Ilex perado ssp.azorica), Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus, ssp.subcordatum), St. Dabeoc´s Heath (Daboecia azorica), Tree Heath (Erica scoparia, ssp.azorica), Azorean Bilberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), Spurge (Euphorbia stygiana), and Portugal Laurel (Prunus lusitanica ssp.azorica). Co-existing with these are "Macaronesia" species like Madeira Mahogany (Persea indica), Dogwood (Frangula azorica), and the Laurel (Laurus azorica). You will find more information and photos at Flora dos Açores
   Among the many new additions, there are the Japanese red cedar and the Acacia both used for the manufacture of wooden products, and the flowering Hydrangeas, Azaleas and Camellias.
   Nine species of mammals are recorded from the islands, all of them excluding the bats probably introduced by man: Mouse-eared bat, Azores Noctule (an endemic bat), Norwegian rat, Black rat, House mouse, Western European hedgehog, European rabbit, Least weasel, and Ferret. You will also see a lot of Wall Lizards, maybe European Marsh Frog, if lucky some of the three endemic butterfly species (three species of Grayling), or more likely some of the migratory ones like Large White, Small White, Clouded Yellow, Long-tailed Blue, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, and Monarch. For more information and photos see the the page about land animals and butterflies.
   Check the cetaceans section for information about the wealth of the ocean, with an abundance of fish, whales and dolphins.

Climate and clothing
The climate of the Azores is influenced by the Gulf Stream, with no frost below elevations of 500 m and average day temperatures of 24° C in late summer and 16° C in winter. The seawater average temperature varies between 22° C and 16° C over the year. There is high level of humidity, and a rainfall that is both regular and well distributed over the year, although with twice as much per month in September - March. Light cloud cover and short showers are normal, often with clouds hanging over high altitudes, whereas it is sunny along the coast.
   At low altitudes along the coast T-shirt/shirt and shorts/thin trousers can be worn in spring, summer, and early autumn, especially along the coasts. When sea watching or on pelagic tours a wind jacket and trousers are recommended. Visiting in winter or in higher altitudes up in the mountains will often require warmer clothing and a wind proof jacket. All year round you will need rain proof clothing, or in the warmer periods at least an umbrella. Good walking boots and something on your head are necessities you can't afford to be without.

Check the weather and forecast for Azores
And on a larger scale the Mid Atlantic weather, storms, and hurricanes

There are large acricultural areas in the Azores, with many small villages and a lot of cows. Terceira, October 2004 Photo: Staffan Rodebrand

Useful facts about the Azorean archipelago
Area: 2.346 sq km (of which the largest island São Miguel is 759 sq km)
Population: 239.000 (2002)
Capital city: Ponta Delgada on the Island of Sao Miguel is widely regarded as the 'capital city' of the Azores islands (but see below under government).
People: By nature the inhabitants are farmers, the island having been originally settled by people mostly from Portugal, but also from Spain, France and other countries. The active population (41%) is divided by economic activity as follows: 18% in the Primary Sector (Farming and agro-food industry: Arable farming, Breweries, Canning, Dairy products, Fisheries, Forestry and wood-working, Gardening, Livestock, Wine products.), 23% in the Secondary Sector (Industry: Building, Building materials, Energy, Mining, Light industry.), and 59% in the Tertiary Sector (Services: Banking, Business service, Education and training, Financial services, Insurance, Publishing and printing, Tourism, Trade). The unemployment rate is about 5%. Within the context of Europe the resident population of the Azores is considered to be reasonably young, with a slow decrease rate in the working population.
Language: Portuguese is the national language, English is taught in schools and is used daily in commerce and international trade.
Government: The Azores was granted the status of an autonomous region of Portugal in 1976. The islands is governed by a Regional Government located in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, and by a Regional Assembly located in Horta, Faial. The Minister of the Republic, who maintains residency in Angra do Heroismo, Terceira, represents the Portuguese Government. Despite the Azores autonomous status, most of the laws enacted by the central government and by the Portuguese parliament are fully applicable in the Azores.
Visas: Citizens of the European Union do not need Visas.
Health risks: There are no major risks.
Water: There is plenty of water to an excellent drinking standard. But to be sure you better use bottled water.
Electricity: 220V. Plugs as in Scandinavia and continental Europe with two round pins.
Currency: € EURO
To calculate the counter-value of the EURO in your currency unit (British pound, American dollar etc) you can use the calculator of the X-RATES website:
www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Banks: Banks are open from 8:30 to 15:00hrs, Monday to Friday. Outside these periods, the hotels can usually change currency. There are plenty of MultiBanco ATMs (Automated teller machines) in most towns, which accept cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and so on to draw money.
Post: There are several post offices, or "Correios de Portugal", normally open two times a day around 09:00-12:30, and 14:00-17:30. Postcards within Europe are € 0,55. There are daily collections from the post boxes (coloured red) placed all over the islands.
Internet cafés: In São Miguel there is normally good access (several computers) in the new shopping centre "Parque Atlantico", in the upper parts of the town near the hospital. There is also a small Internet café in the old Solmar shopping centre near the harbour, and at the airport. In Terceira it is possible to get internet access in Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Angra do Heroísmo, on Canada Nova in western central part of the town. On Santa Maria it is in Vila da Porto on the main street beside the SATA office, and in Faial you find it at Ciberacores, Rua Conselheiro Mendeiros 28. On the isle of Flores you find Internet access at the library beside the town hall in Lajes das Flores. Also in central Vila do Corvo there is a café with free internet access.
Chemists: There are many "Farmácias", most of them open two times a day (se above) in weekdays. In addition, at the door of most pharmacies you will find advisory notes about the pharmacies currently open.
Hospital Centres: There are health centres on all islands, which are open 24 hours for consultation. Here they treat minor injuries and diseases. More complicated occasions will be transported to Terceira or São Miguel, who provide fully equipped hospitals.
Safety: The Azores is one of the safest holiday destinations in the world. If you take sensible precautions, you probably won't experience any problems. Most of the hotels have safes or deposit boxes where you can keep your valuables.
Holidays:
January 1: New Years Day
February (different dates): Mardi Gras (Carnival)
April (different dates): Good Friday
April 25: Freedom Day
May 1: Labour Day
June 10: Portugal Day
June (different dates): Corpus Christi
Aug 15: Assumption
October 5: Republic Day
November 1: All Saints' Day
December 1: Restoration of Independence Day
December 8: Immaculate Conception
December 25: Christmas Day