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ABOUT THE AZORES ISLANDS

All the nine islands of the Azores Archipelago are of volcanic origin and are located in the North Atlantic, scattered along a 600 km stretch. This volcano-formed Archipelago has been associated with the legend of the Atlantis, the mythical island kingdom quoted by Plato.
Considered to be a sanctuary of biodiversity and geodiversity and one of the best locations for Nature Tourism, more than two dozens of species of dolphins and whales either inhabit or cross the seas of the Azores.

Different initiatives and national and international awards have attested the Azores as a prime tourist destination, and they include the election of the Sete Cidades Lake and the Pico Volcanic Landscape as Natural Wonders of Portugal, as well as the distinction of “second best islands in the world in terms of sustainable tourism” where along with the friendliness of the people, successful environmental preservation and harmonious tourism development are praised. The Azores Geopark joined the European Network and Global Geoparks Network in March 2013 under the sponsorship of UNESCO.

Main InfoHolidaysClimateAwardsCurrency

Capital and largest city: Ponta Delgada (São Miguel)
Other important cities: Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira), Horta (Faial)
Official language: Portuguese
Ethnic Groups (2011): 96,3% Portuguese / 3,7% others
Total Area: 2,351 km2 (908 sq mi)
Population 2017 Estimation: 242.796
Currency: Euro (€) (EUR)
Time Zone: AZOT (UTC-1) in the Azores islands – AZOT / AZOST
Antipodes: Melbourne
Driving way: Drivers on the right
Calling code: +351

1. January – New Year’s Days
25. February – Carnival / Shrove Tuesday
10. April – Good Friday
12. April – Easter
25. April – Freedom Day
1. May – Labour Day
10. June – Portugal Day
11. June – Corpus Christi
13. June – Feast of St. Anthony
24. June – Feast of St. John the Baptist
29. June – Feast of St. Peter and Paul
15. August – Feast of Assumption
5. October – Republic Day
1. November – All Saints Day
1. December – Restoration Day
8. December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception
25. December – Christmas Day

The main characteristic of Azorean weather is its unpredictability: it can be sunny and hot, windy and strong showers – all on the same day!

The Azores have a maritime subtropical climate across all islands.
While they are located at the same latitude of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean makes temperatures go much milder throughout the year. Expect moderate temperatures in summer months – rarely surpassing 30°C (86°F) – and rarely dropping below 7°C (45°F) during wintertime.
The yearly average temperature is a comfortable 17ºC (63º), but the humidity can be considerably high (average of 70-80%) in the Azores, so it can feel a lot hotter.
Don’t expect a sunny tropical paradise. The weather tends to be mostly cloudy during most days, especially during the period from November to March.

Europe’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination

Source: World Travel Awards

European Safest Destinations

Source: European Best Destinations

World’s Most Sustainable Destinations

Source: Green Destinations

Top Ten Regions to Visit

Source: Lonely Planet

The Most Beautiful Place in the World

The Belgian Dutch Edition of National Geographic Traveler

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