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The Azores & Pico island

The Azores archipelago comprises 9 islands divided into three groups:

  • The Eastern Group of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria
  • The Central Group of Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial
  • The Western Group of Flores and Corvo.

The Azores are a wild and beautiful group of garden-like islands on the horizons of the mid Atlantic ocean. The vivid blue of the Atlantic Ocean and the emerald green of dreamy lagoons paint an unforgettable picture and a pace of life in which there is time to stop and appreciate living. Art, history and treasures that invoke centuries of history. An invitation to discover and experience a different world, repeated on each of the nine islands of the Azores you will find Nature in its original splendor.

The Azores Islands are located in the mid Atlantic Ocean, about two hours flying time and 930 miles (1500 Km) from Lisbon, and about five hours flying time and 2422 miles (3900 Km) from the eastern coast of North America. The Azores have a total area of 910 square miles (2355 Km2). Their individual areas vary between S. Miguel's 290 square miles (747 Km2) and Corvo's 7 square miles (17 Km2). Its nine island archipelago extends over the parallel that runs through Lisbon (39º43'/39º55' north latitude), giving it a moderate climate with mild annual temperature oscillation.

The Azores sit atop of the Atlantic ridge and are of volcanic origin. Santa Maria is the only island that has signs of reef sediment. The volcanic origin of all Azorean islands is revealed by their volcanic cones and craters. Pico, a volcano that stands 7725 feet (2,351 meters) high on the island of the same name has the highest altitude in the Azores and Portugal.

The archipelago of the Azores is an Autonomous Region of the Portuguese Republic since 1976 extending for 373 miles (600 km) from Santa Maria in the western group to Corvo on the eastern group. It forms an exclusive economic zone of 425 square miles (1.1 million km2). Portuguese is the official language, although there are some dialects of Flemish and African origins.

The Azores were discovered in 1427 by Goncalo Velho (a contested fact by historians), a captain sailing under the command of Henry the Navigator. The colonization of the Islands started in 1439 with people from Portugal, North Africa, Flanders and Spain. There were no humans living in the Azores at time of discovery.

PICO ISLAND

Pico island, named for its imposing mountain, is one of the most beautiful and most underrated island of the Azores. Only second to S. Miguel in size the magical 'Mountain Island' stands majestically in the middle of the Azorean central group, at about 4.5 nautical miles from Faial Island and 11 miles from S. Jorge Island.

Pico island history was built on the destiny of is whale hunting which ended in 1980 and winery traditions. The famous Pico wines and the UNESCO world heritage vineyards, as well as traditional wooden boat building, are contemporary fixtures of Pico. Whale hunting, long gone, gave way to a movement of fair treatment study and observation of whales, dolphins, and other sea mammals. Volcanic eruptions ended 300 years ago. Pico is considered a dormant volcano adding to the mystique of the island and serving as a magnet for scientists.

The Pico island landscape is a sublime mixture of lava rock and exotic vegetation in an ever changing scenery that envelopes this scarcely populated island. Pico features the best swimming holes in the Azores, and every so often an occasional sand beach appears. In 2006 is Prainha’s turn to offer a beach to the delight of the locals and the tourists. Pico is also the ideal island to trek, hike, jog, walk, bird watch, whale and dolphin watch, swim, fish, ride bikes and motto-quad bikes.

Why is it better in Pico?

Because it is a nature lovers paradise, has good roads and trails and it is not crowded. Take a day out to ride a bicycle or walk from Cabrito to Madalena passing by Arcos, Lajido, Cachorro and Cais do Mourato and taste the history of this island. Pico is an Island where calm and peace can be found around every corner, yet there's always the choice of escaping to the village and experiencing the bustling culture or the occasional festival. Trips to Faial and S. Jorge are a short ferry ride away. While it takes no time to know the smaller Faial Island, it takes a long time to get to know Pico as it is the type of destination where one must get out of the car to explore all that it has to offer.

With thanks to www.azores.com for the accurate information.