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CetaceanWatching
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THE AZORES: A TREASURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
Belonging to Portugal, the Azorean Archipelago is made of 9 islands divided
into three groups: São Miguel, Santa Maria and Formigas isles belong to the oriental group,
the closest to Europe Mainland.
Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial form the central group and, at last,
Flores and Corvo constitute the western group, the closest to the Atlantic coast
of North America.
The Azores, stretching for more than 600 km through the Atlantic ocean,
lay between the 36° and 40° North Parallel and 24° and 32° West Meridian.
This privileged position grants the islands mild climate, with air temperature varying
from a minimum of 20°C to a maximum of 30°C in the summer, while it oscillates between
16°C and 24°C in spring and autumn.
The water temperature at surface, milded by the Gulf Current, varies between 20°C
in April and 26°C in August.
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GEOGRAPHY AND ORIGIN
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All islands have a volcanic origin;
Pico volcano, on the homonymous island, with an altitude of 2351 metres, is the highest peak of
whole Portugal!
The Azorean islands themselves are actually the top of mountains that, if measured from the base at the ocean bottom,
are among the highest on Planet Earth.
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WHERE DOES THE NAME "AZORES" COME FROM?
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The most qualified hypotheses is that the Azores owe their name to the
astor (açor in Portuguese), a bird thought to be widespread all over
the archipelago at the time it was discovered.
Interestingly, the astor never lived in the Azores and the first explorers
mixed it up with with the common buzzard (Buteo buteo).
Some historians instead identify the origin of their name in the arcaic
Portuguese term "azures" (plural of skyblu), due to the color of the islands
afar off.
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AN OCEAN OF LIFE
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The Azores are characterised by one of the highest concentration
of cetaceans worldwide.
These islands represent the ideal location for whale and dolphin lovers,
for divers and trekking fans.
The archipelago combines the comfort and safety of a European Community
destination to the charm of wild landscapes and of a target
far away from mass tourism.
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Copyright ©2008 CetaceanWatching Lda -
Madalena do Pico, Açores (Portugal)
Tel./Fax +351 292 622 622 Cell. +351 911 133 658 Skype: cwazores
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