View source for Azores


{{Short description|Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox political division
| name=Azores
| native_name={{native name|pt|Açores}}
| settlement_type= [[Autonomous Regions of Portugal|Autonomous Region]] of [[Portugal]] and [[Special territories of members of the European Economic Area#Outermost Regions|outermost region]] of the [[European Union]]
| official_name=Autonomous Region of the Azores<br />{{nobold|{{native name|pt|Região Autónoma dos Açores}}}}
| image_flag=Flag_of_the_Azores.svg
| flag_size=130px
| flag_alt=Blue and white bands, superimposed by golden goshawk and surmounted by nine stars with traditional Portuguese shield in the left corner.
| flag_link=Flag of the Azores
| image_seal=Coat of arms of the Azores.svg
| seal_size=85px
| seal_type=Coat of arms
| seal_link=Coat of arms of the Azores
| named_for={{lang|pt|Açor}} ({{langx|en|[[Eurasian goshawk|Northern goshawk]]}})
| motto={{lang|pt|Antes morrer livres que em paz sujeitos}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Símbolos Heráldicos dos Açores {{!}} Brasão de Armas dos Açores |url=https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/comunicacao/brasao |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601024152/https://portal.azores.gov.pt/en/web/comunicacao/brasao |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=portal.azores.gov.pt |publisher=Azores Government |language=en-US}}</ref>
<br />({{langx|en|"Rather die free than subjected in peace"}})
| anthem={{lang|pt|[[Hymn of the Azores|Hino dos Açores]]}}<br />({{langx|en|"Hymn of the Azores"}}) 
| image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
| map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
| map_caption=Location of the Azores within Portugal (dark green) and the European Union (light green)
| coordinates = {{Coord|38.66|N|28.07|W|type:adm1st_region:PT-20|display=title,inline}}
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = {{Flag|Portugal}}
| established_title=Settlement
| established_date=1432
| established_title3=Autonomous status
| established_date3=30 April 1976
| official_languages=[[European Portuguese|Portuguese]]
| demonym={{lang|pt|Açoriano}} / {{lang|pt|Açoriana}} <br/> ({{langx|en|Azorean}})
| capital_type=[[Administrative centre|Capitals]]
| capital = [[Ponta Delgada]] (executive)<br />[[Angra do Heroísmo]] (judicial)<br />[[Horta, Azores|Horta]] (legislative)
| largest_city = [[Ponta Delgada]]
| government_type=[[Autonomous Regions of Portugal|Autonomous Region]]
| leader_title1=Representative of the Republic
| leader_name1=Pedro Manuel dos Reis Alves Catarino
| leader_title2=[[Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores|President of the Legislative Assembly]]
| leader_name2=	Luís Garcia
| leader_title3=[[Presidents of the Regional Government of the Azores|President of the Regional Government]]
| leader_name3=[[José Manuel Bolieiro]]
| leader_title4=Vice-President of the Regional Government
| leader_name4=[[Artur Lima]]
| legislature=[[Legislative Assembly of the Azores|Legislative Assembly]]
| national_representation = National and European representation
| national_representation_type1 = [[Assembly of the Republic (Portugal)|Assembly of the Republic]]
| national_representation1 = 5 MPs (of 230)
| national_representation_type2 = [[European Parliament]]
| national_representation2 = 3 MEP ([[2024 European Parliament election in Portugal|of 21 Portuguese seats]])
| area_km2=2,351
| elevation_max_m=2,351
| elevation_max_point=[[Mount Pico]]
| elevation_min_m=0
| elevation_min_point=[[Atlantic Ocean]]
| population_census=236,440<ref>{{cite web |title=Resident population (No.) by Place of residence, Sex and Age group; Decennial – Statistics Portugal, Population and housing census – 2021 |url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&contecto=pi&indOcorrCod=0011166&selTab=tab0 |website=INE |access-date=17 November 2022}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2021
| population_density_km2=110
| GDP_nominal={{increase}} €5.376 billion
| GDP_nominal_year=2023<ref name="GDP">{{cite web|access-date=14 January 2025|title=Produto interno bruto (B.1*g) a preços correntes (Base 2021 – €) por Localização geográfica (NUTS – 2024); Anual|url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0014131&contexto=bd&selTab=tab2|website=ine.pt}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name="GDP2">{{cite web|access-date=14 January 2025|url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0014103&contexto=bd&selTab=tab2|title=Produto interno bruto (B.1*g) por habitante a preços correntes (Base 2021 – €) por Localização geográfica (NUTS – 2024); Anual|website=ine.pt}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita={{increase}} €22,346
| Gini                   = 33.8 <!-- number only -->
| Gini_year              = 2023
| Gini_change            = decrease<!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&indOcorrCod=0004212&contexto=bd&selTab=tab2|language=pt-PT|title=Coeficiente de Gini do rendimento monetário líquido por adulto equivalente (%) por Local de residência (NUTS - 2013); Anual|trans-title=Gini coefficient of net monetary income per adult equivalent (%) by Place of residence (NUTS - 2013); Annual|publisher=National Institute of Statistics|website=ine.pt|access-date=18 May 2025}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI = 0.814
| HDI_year = 2022
| HDI_change = increase
| HDI_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/PRT/?levels=1+4&years=2022&extrapolation=0|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org |language=en |access-date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>
| currency=[[Euro]] (€)
| currency_code=EUR
| utc_offset=−01:00
| utc_offset_DST=±00:00
| date_format=dd/mm/yyyy ([[Common Era|CE]])
| blank_name_sec1          = Most populated island
| blank_info_sec1          = [[São Miguel Island]]
| drives_on=right
| calling_code=[[Telephone numbers in Portugal|+351 (292)]]
| postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in Portugal|Postal code]] 
| postal_code = 95nn-99nn
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:PT|PT-20]]
| website ={{URL|https://azores.gov.pt}}
| blank7_name_sec1=Usual abbreviation
| blank7_info_sec1=RAA
| cctld = [[.pt]]
}}
The '''Azores''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|z|ɔər|z}} {{Respell|ə|ZORZ}}, {{IPAc-en|USalso|ˈ|eɪ|z|ɔər|z}}, {{Respell|AY|zorz}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Azores |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oxford Languages {{!}} The Home of Language Data |url=https://languages.oup.com/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=languages.oup.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> {{langx|pt|Açores}}, {{IPA|pt|ɐˈsoɾɨʃ|audio=LL-Q5146 (por)-Nelson Ricardo 2500-Açores.wav}}}} officially the '''Autonomous Region of the Azores''',{{efn|{{lang|pt|Região Autónoma dos Açores}}}} is an [[Autonomous Regions of Portugal|autonomous region]] of [[Portugal]], in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] about {{cvt|1400|km|miles}} west of [[Continental Portugal|mainland Portugal]]. Together with [[Madeira]], it's one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal and a [[Special territories of members of the European Economic Area|special territory of the European Union]]. It is the [[List of extreme points of Portugal|westernmost point]] and region of Portugal.{{efn|As measured from the [[List of extreme points of Portugal|geographic center of Portugal]].}}

The Azores is an [[archipelago]] composed of nine [[volcanic island]]s in the [[Macaronesia]] region of the North Atlantic Ocean.
There are nine major Azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. These are [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] and [[Corvo Island|Corvo]] to the west; [[Graciosa]], [[Terceira Island|Terceira]], [[São Jorge Island|São Jorge]], [[Pico Island|Pico]], and [[Faial Island|Faial]] in the centre; and [[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]], [[Santa Maria Island|Santa Maria]], and the [[Formigas|Formigas islets]] to the east. They extend for more than {{cvt|600|km|mi}} and lie in a northwest–southeast direction. All the islands have volcanic origins, although some, such as Santa Maria, have had no recorded activity in the time since the islands were settled several centuries ago. [[Mount Pico]] on the island of Pico is the highest point in Portugal, at {{cvt|2351|m|ft|0}}. If measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean to their peaks, the Azores are among the tallest mountains on the planet. The Azores are located at the seismically active [[Azores triple junction]] [[plate boundary]] where the [[North American plate]], [[Eurasian plate]] and [[Nubian plate]] meet.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters|title=GPS and tectonic evidence for a diffuse plate boundary at the Azores Triple Junction|author=F.O. Marques, J.C. Catalão, C.DeMets, A.C.G. Costa, A. Hildenbrand|year=2013|volume=381|pages=177–187|url=http://www.mantleplumes.org/WebDocuments/MarquesEtAl2013EPSL(381)DiffuseATJ.pdf|doi=10.1016/j.epsl.2013.08.051 |bibcode=2013E&PSL.381..177M }}</ref>

The climate is very mild for such a northerly location, being influenced by its distance from the continents and by the passing [[Gulf Stream]]. Because of the marine influence, temperatures remain mild year-round. Daytime temperatures normally fluctuate between {{cvt|16|and|25|C|F}} depending on season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ipma.pt/en/oclima/normais.clima/1981-2010/020/ |title=Ponta Delgada Climate Normals 1981–2010 |publisher=IPMA |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=15 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115123600/http://www.ipma.pt/en/oclima/normais.clima/1981-2010/020/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ipma.pt/en/oclima/normais.clima/1981-2010/026/ |title=Angra do Heroísmo Climate Normals 1981–2010 |publisher=IPMA |access-date=26 October 2015 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228165451/http://www.ipma.pt/en/oclima/normais.clima/1981-2010/026/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Temperatures above {{cvt|30|C|F}} or below {{cvt|3|C|F}} are unknown in the major population centres. It is also generally wet and cloudy.

Its main industries are [[Agriculture in Portugal|agriculture]], dairy farming, livestock, [[Fishing industry in Portugal|fishing]], and [[tourism in Portugal|tourism]], which has become a major service activity in the region. In the 20th century and to some extent into the 21st, the Azores have served as a waypoint for refueling aircraft flying between Europe and North America. The government of the Azores employs a large percentage of the population directly or indirectly in the service and tertiary sectors. The largest city is [[Ponta Delgada]]. The culture, dialect, cuisine, and traditions of the islands vary considerably, because these remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of two centuries.

==History==
{{main|History of the Azores}}
[[File:Ribeira Grande, São Miguel Island, Azores - panoramio (7) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Gaspar Frutuoso]] wrote ''[[Saudades da Terra]]'', the first history of the Azores and [[Macaronesia]], in the 1580s.]]

A small number of alleged [[Hypogeum|hypogea]] (underground structures carved into rocks) have been identified on the islands of Corvo, Santa Maria, and Terceira by Portuguese archaeologist Nuno Ribeiro, who speculated that they might date back 2,000&nbsp;years, implying a human presence on the islands before the Portuguese.<ref>{{cite web |editor=J. M. A. |date=5 March 2011 |title=Estruturas podem ter mais de dois mil anos: Monumentos funerários descobertos nos Açores |website=Correio da Manhã |language=pt |location=Lisbon, PT |publisher=Cofina Media Jornal |url=http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/detalhe/noticias/ultima-hora/monumentos-funerarios-descobertos-nos-acores |access-date=18 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514153752/http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/detalhe/noticias/ultima-hora/monumentos-funerarios-descobertos-nos-acores |archive-date=14 May 2011}}</ref> These structures have been used by settlers in the Azores to store grain. The suggestion by Ribeiro that they might be burial sites is unconfirmed. Detailed examination and dating to authenticate the validity of these speculations are lacking; thus it is unclear whether these structures are natural or human-made and whether they predate the 15th&nbsp;century Portuguese colonization of the Azores.<ref>{{Citation |publisher=Açoreana Oriental |language=pt |access-date=27 June 2011 |title=Estudos arqueológicos podem indicar presença prévia ao povoamento das ilhas |date=27 June 2011 |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |editor=AO Online |url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216916 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006091322/http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216916 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to a 2015 paper published in ''[[Journal of Evolutionary Biology]]'', research based on mouse [[mitochondrial DNA]] points to a Scandinavian rather than Portuguese origin of the local mouse population.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gabriel |first1=S. I. |last2=Mathias |first2=M. L. |last3=Searle |first3=J. B. |name-list-style=amp |title=Of mice and the 'Age of Discovery': the complex history of colonization of the Azorean archipelago by the house mouse (''Mus musculus'') as revealed by mitochondrial DNA variation |journal=Journal of Evolutionary Biology |date=2015 |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=130–145 |doi=10.1111/jeb.12550|pmid=25394749 |s2cid=24375092 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>Gashler, Krisy. [https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2021/11/viking-mice-norse-discovered-azores-700-years-portuguese "Viking mice: Norse discovered Azores 700 years before Portuguese". November 2021.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111175632/https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2021/11/viking-mice-norse-discovered-azores-700-years-portuguese |date=11 November 2021 }} College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. [[Cornell University|Cornell]]. Retrieved 26 March 2022.</ref> A 2021 paper published in ''[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]]'', using data from lake sediment [[Core sample|core sampling]], suggests [[Deforestation|brush-clearing]] was undertaken and animal husbandry introduced between 700 and 850 A.D.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Raposeiro |first1=Pedro M. |last2=Hernández |first2=Armand |last3=Pla-Rabes |first3=Sergi |last4=Gonçalves |first4=Vítor |last5=Bao |first5=Roberto |last6=Sáez |first6=Alberto |last7=Shanahan |first7=Timothy |last8=Benavente |first8=Mario |last9=de Boer |first9=Erik J. |last10=Richter |first10=Nora |last11=Gordon |first11=Verónica |last12=Marques |first12=Helena |last13=Sousa |first13=Pedro M. |last14=Souto |first14=Martín |last15=Matias |first15=Miguel G. |last16=Aguiar |first16=Nicole |last17=Pereira |first17=Cátia |last18=Ritter |first18=Catarina |last19=Rubio |first19=María Jesús |last20=Salcedo |first20=Marina |last21=Vázquez-Loureiro |first21=David |last22=Margalef |first22=Olga |last23=Amaral-Zettler |first23=Linda A. |last24=Costa |first24=Ana Cristina |last25=Huang |first25=Yongsong |last26=Van Leeuwen |first26=Jacqueline F. N. |last27=Masqué |first27=Pere |last28=Prego |first28=Ricardo |last29=Ruiz-Fernández |first29=Ana Carolina |last30=Sanchez-Cabeza |first30=Joan-Albert |last31=Trigo |first31=Ricardo |last32=Giralt |first32=Santiago |date=12 October 2021 |title=Climate change facilitated the early colonization of the Azores Archipelago during medieval times |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America]] |language=en |volume=118 |issue=41 |article-number=e2108236118 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2108236118 |doi-access=free |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=8522277 |pmid=34607952 |bibcode=2021PNAS..11808236R }}</ref> These findings suggest a brief period of [[Norsemen|Norse]] settlement, and the 2021 paper further cites climate simulations that suggest the dominant westerly winds in the North Atlantic Ocean were weaker in that period, which would have made it easier for [[Vikings|Viking]] ships to sail to the Azores from Scandinavia.<ref name=price>Price, Michael. [https://www.science.org/content/article/vikings-paradise-were-norse-first-settle-azores "Vikings in paradise: Were the Norse the first to settle the Azores?" October 2021.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325004050/https://www.science.org/content/article/vikings-paradise-were-norse-first-settle-azores |date=25 March 2022 }} ''[[Science (journal)|Science]]''. Retrieved 26 March 2022.</ref>

===Discovery===
[[File:Henry_the_Navigator1.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Under the direction of [[Prince Henry the Navigator]], the Azores were discovered and populated in the early 1400s.]]
In 1427 a captain sailing for [[Prince Henry the Navigator]], possibly [[Gonçalo Velho Cabral|Gonçalo Velho]], may have discovered the Azores, but this is not certain. In [[Thomas Ashe (writer)|Thomas Ashe]]'s 1813 work ''A History of the Azores'', the author identified a [[Flemish people|Fleming]], Joshua Vander Berg of [[Bruges]], who made landfall in the archipelago during a storm on his way to Lisbon.<ref name="History1813">{{cite book |first=Thomas |last=Ashe |year=1813 |title=History of the Azores, or Western Islands |publisher=Oxford University}}</ref> According to Ashe, the Portuguese explored the area and claimed it for Portugal.<ref name="History1813"/> Other writers note the discovery of the first islands (São Miguel, Santa Maria and Terceira) by sailors in the service of Henry the Navigator, although there are few documents to support such claims.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Robert L. |date=21 April 2009 |title=Azoreans to California: A History of Migration and Settlement |url=https://dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.3/136646/Bob_Santos-Azoreans_To_California.pdf |access-date=30 October 2023 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030172934/https://dspace.calstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.3/136646/Bob_Santos-Azoreans_To_California.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Although it is commonly said that the archipelago received its name from {{lang|pt|açor}} (Portuguese for [[northern goshawk|goshawk]], a common bird at the time of discovery) it is unlikely that the bird ever nested or hunted on the islands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-28 |title=FLAG OF THE AÇORES (Bandeira dos Açores) |url=https://roostercamisa.com/blogs/news/flag-of-the-acores-bandeira-dos-acores |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Rooster Camisa |language=en}}</ref> There were no large animals on Santa Maria; after its discovery and before settlement began, sheep were let loose on the island to supply future settlers with food.

===Early settlement===
The archipelago was largely settled from mainland Portugal, but settlement did not take place immediately. From 1433 Gonçalo Velho Cabral gathered resources and settlers, and he sailed in 1436 to establish colonies, first on Santa Maria and then on São Miguel. Settlers built houses, established villages and cleared bush and rocks to plant crops, grain, grapevines, [[sugar cane]] and other plants suitable for local use and for export. They brought domesticated animals, such as chickens, rabbits, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The settlement of the unoccupied islands began in 1439 with people mainly from the continental provinces of [[Algarve]] and [[Alentejo]]. São Miguel was first settled in 1449, the settlers – mainly from [[Estremadura Province (historical)|Estremadura]], [[Alto Alentejo Province|Alto Alentejo]] and Algarve – under the command of Cabral, who landed at the site of modern-day [[Povoação, Azores|Povoação]].

===Flemish settlers===
The first reference to the island of São Jorge was made in 1439, but the date of discovery is unknown. In 1443 the island was already inhabited, but settlement began only after the arrival of [[Willem van der Haegen]]. Arriving at [[Topo (Calheta)|Topo]], São Jorge, where he lived and died, he became known as Guilherme da Silveira to the islanders. [[João Vaz Corte-Real]] received the captaincy of the island in 1483. [[Velas, Azores|Velas]] became a town before the end of the 15th century. By 1490 there were 2,000 Flemings living on the islands of Terceira, Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Flores. Because there was such a large Flemish settlement, the Azores became known as the Flemish Islands or the Isles of Flanders.

Prince Henry the Navigator was responsible for this Flemish settlement. His sister [[Isabella of Portugal, Duchess of Burgundy|Isabel]] was married to [[Philip the Good]], Duke of Burgundy (Flanders at the time belonged to Burgundy). There was a revolt against Philip's rule, and disease and hunger became rampant. Isabel appealed to Henry to allow some of the unruly Flemings to settle in the Azores. He granted this and supplied them with means of transport and goods.

===1522 earthquake and recovery===
In 1522, [[Vila Franca do Campo]], then the capital of São Miguel, was devastated by an [[1522 Vila Franca earthquake|earthquake and landslide]] that killed about 5,000&nbsp;people, and the capital was moved to [[Ponta Delgada]]. Vila Franca do Campo was rebuilt on the original site and today is a thriving fishing and yachting port. Ponta Delgada received its city status in 1546. From the first settlement, the pioneers applied themselves to agriculture, and by the 15th&nbsp;century Graciosa was exporting wheat, barley, wine and brandy. The goods were sent to Terceira largely because of the proximity of that island.

===Portuguese succession crisis of 1580===

{{main|Conquest of the Azores}}
[[File:Azores old map.jpg|thumb|1584 map of the Azores Islands]]
Portugal fell into a [[Portuguese succession crisis of 1580#Claimants to the throne|dynastic crisis]] following the death of [[Henry, King of Portugal|Cardinal-King Henry]] in 1580. Of the various claimants to the crown, the most powerful was King [[Philip II of Spain]], who justified his rights to the throne by the fact that his mother was a Portuguese royal princess: his maternal grandfather was King [[Manuel I of Portugal|Manuel&nbsp;I]].<ref name="MeloBento34">Melo Bento (2008) p 34</ref> 

On 19 July 1580, [[António, Prior of Crato]] was acclaimed [[List of Portuguese monarchs|King of Portugal]] in [[Santarém, Portugal|Santarém]] by his supporters, followed by popular acclamation in Lisbon and other towns,<ref name="CBento34">Carlos Melo Bento (2008), p.34</ref> as well as in the Azores (through his envoy António da Costa), to which he fled following his defeat at the [[Battle of Alcântara (1580)|Battle of Alcântara]].<ref name=MeloBento34/> Although Philip became king, the Azoreans resisted Spanish attempts to conquer the islands (including specifically at the [[Battle of Salga]]) and were administered by Cipriano de Figueiredo, governor of Terceira (who continued to govern Terceira in the name of the ill-fated former King [[Sebastian, King of Portugal|Sebastian]]).<ref name="MeloBento36">Melo Bento (2008) p 36</ref>

In 1583 Philip sent his fleet to clear the Azores of a combined multinational force of adventurers, mercenaries, volunteers, and soldiers who were attempting to establish the Azores as a staging post for a rival [[pretender]] to the Portuguese throne. Following the success of his fleet at the [[Battle of Ponta Delgada]], captured enemies were hanged from yardarms, as they were considered [[pirate]]s by Philip&nbsp;II. Opponents receiving the news variously portrayed Philip as a despot or "[[Black Legend]]", the sort of insult widely made against contemporary monarchs engaged in aggressive empire building and the [[European wars of religion]]. Figueiredo and Violante do Canto helped organize a resistance on Terceira that influenced some of the response of the other islands, even as internal politics and support for Philip's faction increased on the other islands (including specifically on São Miguel, where the Gonçalvez da Câmara family supported the Spanish claimant).<ref name=MeloBento36/>

===English raids of 1589 and 1598===

{{main|Azores Voyage of 1589|Islands Voyage}}
[[File:Desembarcoislasterceiras.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Conquest of the Azores|Battle of Terceira]], part of the [[War of the Portuguese Succession]]]]
An English raid of the Azores in 1589 successfully plundered some islands and harbouring ships; eight years later, a second raid failed.

===Iberian Union===
Spain held the Azores under the [[Iberian Union]] from 1580 to 1642 (called the "Babylonian captivity" in the Azores). The Azores were the last part of the [[Portuguese Empire]] to resist Philip's reign over Portugal ([[Macau]] resisted any official recognition), until the defeat of forces loyal to the [[Prior of Crato]] with the [[Conquest of the Azores]] in 1583. Portuguese control resumed with the end of the Iberian Union in 1640 and the beginning of the [[Portuguese Restoration War]], not by the professional military who were occupied with warfare on the Portuguese mainland, but by local people attacking a fortified [[Crown of Castile|Castilian]] garrison.

===Overpopulation and emigration===

[[File:DpedroI-brasil-full.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pedro I of Brazil|King-Emperor Pedro&nbsp;IV & I]] planned and launched his campaign in the [[Liberal Wars]] from the Azores in name of his daughter [[Maria II of Portugal|Queen Maria&nbsp;II]]]]
In the late 16th&nbsp;century, the Azores and Madeira began to face problems of overpopulation. Responding to the consequent economic problems, some people of the Azores began to emigrate to the United States, Canada and Brazil.<ref name="ImperialAge1989">{{cite book |first=G.V. |last=Scammell |year=1989 |title=The First Imperial Age |publisher=Unwin Hyman}}</ref>

In 1902 the Dominion Line began operating a Mediterranean passenger service between Boston and Italy via Gibraltar and the Azores, with an established port of call at Sao Miguel. In 1904 the service was taken over by the [[White Star Line]]. Four ships formerly owned by Dominion were renamed and put into service under White Star, named ''[[SS Canopic|Canopic]]'', ''[[SS Scandinavian|Romanic]]'', ''[[SS Cretic|Cretic]]'' and ''[[RMS Republic (1903)|Republic]]'', the last of which is best known for its 1909 sinking off the New England coast. ''Canopic'' and ''Romanic'' provided regular service to Boston, while ''Cretic'' and ''Republic'' operated on the service to both New York and Boston throughout their careers. By the time the service ended in 1921, these four ships had transported an estimated total of 58,000 Azorean Portuguese to the United States.<ref>New York, US Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957;Massachusetts, US Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963</ref>

===Liberal Wars of 1828–1834===
The [[Liberal Wars|Portuguese Civil War]] (1828–1834) had strong repercussions in the Azores. In 1829 in [[Praia da Vitória]], the liberals won over the absolutists, making Terceira Island the main headquarters of the new Portuguese regime and also where the Council of Regency ({{lang|pt|Conselho de Regência}}) of [[Maria II of Portugal|Maria II]] was established. Beginning in 1868, Portugal issued its stamps overprinted with "{{lang|pt|AÇORES}}" for use in the islands. Between 1892 and 1906, it also issued separate stamps for the three administrative districts of the time.

===Arbitrary district divisions 1836–1976===
From 1836 to 1976, the archipelago was divided into three districts, equivalent (except in area) to those in the [[Administrative divisions of Portugal#Districts|Portuguese mainland]]. The division was arbitrary and did not follow the natural island groups, rather reflecting the location of each district capital on the three main cities (none of which were on the western group).
*'''Angra do Heroísmo''' consisted of Terceira, São Jorge, and Graciosa, with the capital at [[Angra do Heroísmo]] on Terceira.
*'''Horta''' consisted of Pico, Faial, Flores, and Corvo, with the capital at [[Horta, Azores|Horta]] on Faial.
*'''Ponta Delgada''' consisted of São Miguel and Santa Maria, with the capital at [[Ponta Delgada]] on São Miguel.

===Modern period===
[[File:Crest of the Azores.gif|thumb|left|Symbol of the Azorean autonomist movement in the 19th&nbsp;century]]
In 1931 the Azores (together with Madeira and [[Portuguese Guinea]]) revolted against the [[Ditadura Nacional]] and were held briefly by rebel military.<ref>{{cite book |author=Payne, Stanley |year=1972 |title=A History of Spain and Portugal |at=Ch&nbsp;27 |location=Madison WI |publisher=University of Wisconsin Press |url=http://libro.uca.edu/payne2/payne27.htm |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110525184237/http://libro.uca.edu/payne2/payne27.htm |archive-date=25 May 2011}}</ref> In 1943 during [[World War II]], Portuguese ruler [[António de Oliveira Salazar]] leased air and naval bases in the Azores to Great Britain.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Role of Portugal – co-opting Nazi Gold, Jonathan Petropoulos, "Dimensions", Vol 11, No 1, 1997 |url=http://www.adl.org/Braun/dim_14_1_neutrality_europe.asp |publisher=Adl.org |access-date=22 July 2009 |archive-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904232811/http://www.adl.org/braun/dim_14_1_neutrality_europe.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> The occupation of these facilities in October 1943 was codenamed [[Operation Alacrity]] by the British.<ref>{{cite web |author=Barrass, M. B. |date=2001–2008 |title=Air vice-marshal Sir Geoffrey Bromet |series=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation |website=Royal Air Force Organization (RAFWeb.org) |url=http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Bromet.htm |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810232155/http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Bromet.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> This was a key turning point in the [[Battle of the Atlantic]], enabling the [[Royal Air Force]], the [[United States Army Air Forces|U.S. Army Air Forces]], and the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] to provide aerial coverage in the [[Mid-Atlantic gap]]. This helped them to protect convoys and to hunt hostile German [[U-boat]]s.

[[File:Flag of the Azores Liberation Front.svg|thumb|right|The [[Azores Liberation Front]]'s flag preceded the modern [[flag of the Azores|Azorean flag]].]]In 1944 the U.S. constructed a small and short-lived air base on Santa Maria. In 1945 a base was constructed on Terceira, named [[Lajes Field]]. Lajes Field is a plateau rising out of the sea on the northeast corner of the island, which had been a large farm. The base is a joint American and Portuguese venture that continues to support American and [[Portuguese Armed Forces]]. During the [[Cold War]], U.S. Navy [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3 Orion]] [[anti-submarine warfare]] squadrons patrolled the North Atlantic Ocean for [[Soviet Navy]] submarines and surface warships. Since its opening, Lajes Field has been used for refuelling American [[Cargo aircraft|cargo planes]] bound for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The U.S. Navy keeps a small [[squadron (naval)|squadron]] of its ships at the harbor of [[Praia da Vitória]], {{cvt|3|km|spell=in|abbr=off}} southeast of Lajes Field. The airfield also has a small commercial terminal handling scheduled and chartered passenger flights from the other islands in the Azores, Europe, Africa, and North America.

Following the [[Carnation Revolution]] of 1974 which deposed the [[Estado Novo (Portugal)|Estado Novo]] dictatorship in Lisbon, Portugal and its territories across the world entered into a period of great political uncertainty. The [[Azores Liberation Front|Azorean Liberation Front]] attempted to take advantage of this instability immediately after the revolution, hoping to establish an independent Azores, until operations ceased in 1975.

In 1976, the Azores became the Autonomous Region of the Azores ({{lang|pt|Região Autónoma dos Açores}}), one of the [[autonomous regions of Portugal]], and the subdistricts of the Azores were eliminated. In 2003 the Azores gained international attention when United States President [[George W. Bush]], British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], Spanish Prime Minister [[José María Aznar]], and Portuguese Prime Minister [[José Manuel Barroso|José Manuel Durão Barroso]] held a summit there days before the commencement of the [[Iraq War]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bush: Monday is 'a moment of truth' on Iraq |date=17 March 2003 |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/16/sprj.irq.main/index.html |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-date=5 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605183907/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/16/sprj.irq.main/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
<div style="float: right; width: auto; margin-left: 1.5em;">
[[File:Azores-map.png|thumb|none|upright=1.2|Map of the Azores]]
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right;"
|-
|+ Surface areas of the Azores Islands
! style="width:130px;" rowspan="2"| Island
! colspan="2"| Area
|-
! style="width:50px;"| km<sup>2</sup>
! style="width:50px;"| sq mi
|-
| [[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]] || {{cvt|759|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Pico Island|Pico]] || {{cvt|446|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Terceira Island|Terceira]] || {{cvt|403|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[São Jorge Island|São Jorge]] || {{cvt|246|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Faial Island|Faial]] || {{cvt|173|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] || {{cvt|143|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Santa Maria Island|Santa Maria]] || {{cvt|97|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Graciosa Island|Graciosa]] || {{cvt|62|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|-
| [[Corvo Island|Corvo]] || {{cvt|17|km2|sqmi|0|disp=table}}
|}
</div>
The archipelago is located in the northern hemisphere within the Atlantic Ocean and extends along a west-northwest to east-southeast orientation (between 36.5°–40° North [[latitudes]] and 24.5°–31.5° West [[longitudes]]) in an area approximately {{cvt|600|km|0|abbr=off}} wide. The islands of the Azores emerged from the [[Azores Plateau]], a 5.8&nbsp;million km<sup>2</sup> region that is morphologically accented by a depth of {{cvt|2000|m|abbr=off}}.<ref>Miranda, ''et al''. (1998)</ref><ref name="Machado2008p14">Machado, ''et al''. (2008) p 14.</ref>
[[File:Açores, Madeira, Canarias.png|thumb|left|upright=2.4|Azores (blue), [[Madeira]] (green) and the [[Canary Islands]] (yellow) in the northern Atlantic]]
<div style="clear:left;"></div>
The nine islands that compose the archipelago occupy a surface area of {{cvt|2346|km2|sqmi|0}}, that includes both the main islands and many islets located in their vicinities. They range in surface area from the largest, São Miguel, at {{cvt|759|km2|sqmi|0|}} to the smallest, Corvo, at approximately {{cvt|17|km2|sqmi|0|}}. São Jorge, Pico and Faial are collectively called {{lang|pt|Ilhas do Triângulo}} ('Islands of the Triangle').

Each of the islands has its own distinct geomorphological characteristics that make them unique:
*Corvo is a crater of a major [[Plinian eruption]]
*Flores (its neighbor on the [[North American plate]]) is a rugged island carved by many valleys and escarpments
*Faial is characterized for its [[Volcano#Shield volcanoes|shield volcano]] and [[caldera]] ([[Caldeira Volcano]])
*[[Pico Island|Pico]] has the highest point, at {{cvt|2351|m|ft|0|sp=us}}, in the Azores and Portugal
*Graciosa is known for its active Furnas do Enxofre and mixture of [[Volcanic cone|volcanic cones]] and plains
*São Jorge is a long slender island, formed from [[Types of volcanic eruptions|fissural eruptions]] over thousands of years
*Terceira, almost circular, contains one of the largest craters in the region
*São Miguel is pitted with many large craters and fields of spatter cones
*Santa Maria – the oldest island – is heavily eroded, being one of the few places to encounter brown sandy beaches in the archipelago.
{{Clear}}
[[File:Sao Miguel, Azores (52695368638).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Lagoa das Sete Cidades]], located within the [[Sete Cidades Massif]], in [[Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada)|Sete Cidades]], [[São Miguel Island]].]]

The islands can be divided into three recognizable groups located on the Azores Plateau:
*The [[Eastern Group, Azores|Eastern Group]] ({{lang|pt|Grupo Oriental}}) of São Miguel, Santa Maria and Formigas Islets
*The [[Central Group, Azores|Central Group]] ({{lang|pt|Grupo Central}}) of Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial
*The [[Western Group]] ({{lang|pt|Grupo Ocidental}}) of Flores and Corvo.

Several sub-surface reefs (particularly the [[Dollabarat]] on the fringe of the Formigas), banks (specifically the [[Princess Alice Bank]] and [[Dom João de Castro Bank|D. João de Castro Bank]]), as well as many [[hydrothermal vents and seamounts of the Azores|hydrothermal vents and sea-mounts]] are monitored by the regional authorities, owing to the complex geotectonic and socioeconomic significance within the economic exclusion zone of the archipelago.

=== Geology ===
[[File:Mount Pico (14755153450).jpg|thumb|right|[[Mount Pico]], the highest mountain in Portugal, displays the remnants of its last major eruption on its northern flank]]
From a geostructural perspective, the Azores are located above [[Azores triple junction|an active triple junction]] between three of the world's major tectonic plates (the [[North American plate]], the [[Eurasian plate]] and the [[African plate]]),<ref name="Machado2008p14" /> a condition that has translated into the existence of many faults and fractures in this region of the Atlantic.<ref>Lúis (1994) pp 439–440</ref> The Western Group is located on the North American plate, while the remaining islands are located within the boundary that divides the Eurasian and African plates.<ref name="Carracedo 674–699">{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Carracedo |first1=Juan Carlos |last2=Troll |first2=Valentin R. |date=2021-01-01 |title=North-East Atlantic Islands: The Macaronesian Archipelagos |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Geology (Second Edition) |pages=674–699 |editor1-last=Alderton |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Elias |editor2-first=Scott A. |place=Oxford |publisher=Academic Press |lang=en |doi=10.1016/b978-0-08-102908-4.00027-8 |isbn=978-0-08-102909-1 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081029084000278 |access-date=2021-03-16 |s2cid=226588940 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121212110/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780081029084000278 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The principal tectonic structures that exist in the region include the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]], the [[Terceira Rift]], the Azores Fracture Zone and the Glória Fault.<ref name="Machado2008p14"/> The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the main frontier between the North American plate and the African-Eurasian plates that crosses the Azores Plateau between Flores and Faial from north to south then to the southwest; it is an extensive form crossed by many transform faults running perpendicular to its north–south orientation, that is seismically active and susceptible to volcanism. The Terceira Rift is a system of fractures that extends from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the Glória Fault that represents the main frontier between the Eurasian and African plates. It is defined by a line of submarine volcanoes and island mounts that extend northwest to southeast for about {{cvt|550|km|0|abbr=off}}, from the area west of Graciosa until the islets of the Formigas, that includes Graciosa, Terceira and São Miguel. Its northwest limit connects to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, while the southeast section intersects the Gloria Fault southeast of Santa Maria. The Azores Fracture Zone extends from the Glória Fault and encompasses a relatively inactive area to the south the Central and Eastern groups north to the Terceira Rift, along a 45° angle. The Glória Fault extends {{cvt|800|km|0|abbr=off}} along a linear line from the Azores to the [[Azores–Gibraltar transform fault]].<ref>Madeira (1998)</ref>

==== Mountains ====
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Five tallest mountains of the Azores:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=PeakVisor |title=Azores Mountains |url=https://peakvisor.com/adm/azores.html |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=PeakVisor |language=en}}</ref>
!Mountain
!Height (meters)
!Height (feet)
!Island
|-
|[[Mount Pico|Montanha do Pico]]
|2,351
|7,713
|[[Pico Island]]
|-
|[[Pico da Vara]]
|1,103
|3,619
|[[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]]
|-
|[[Pico da Esperança]]
|1,053
|3,455
|[[São Jorge Island|São Jorge]]
|-
|[[Cabeço Gordo]]
|1,043
|3,422
|[[Faial Island|Faial]]
|-
|Calderia de Santa Bárbara
|1,023
|3,356
|[[Terceira Island|Terceira]]
|}

==== Volcanoes ====
The islands' volcanism is associated with the [[rift]]ing along the Azores triple junction; the spread of the crust along the existing faults and fractures has produced many of the active volcanic and seismic events,<ref name="Ferreira, 2005, p. 4">Ferreira (2005) p 4</ref> while supported by buoyant upwelling in the deeper mantle, some associate with an [[Azores hotspot]].<ref>Ting Yang, ''et al''. (2006) p 20</ref> Most of the volcanic activity has centered primarily along the Terceira Rift.<ref name="Carracedo 674–699"/>

From the beginning of the islands' settlement around the 15th century, there have been 28 registered volcanic eruptions (15 terrestrial and 13 submarine). The last significant volcanic eruption, the [[Capelinhos]] volcano ({{lang|pt|Vulcão dos Capelinhos}}), occurred off the coast of Faial in 1957; the most recent volcanic activity occurred in the seamounts and submarine volcanoes off the coast of Serreta and in the Pico-São Jorge Channel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Erupções vulcânicas históricas |trans-title=Historical Volcanic Eruptions |publisher=Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos (CVARG) |year=2010 |url=http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/GA+-+Vulcanismo+Historico.htm |access-date=15 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305153226/http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/GA+-+Vulcanismo+Historico.htm |archive-date=5 March 2012}}; Evidence for the submarine eruptions off the coasts of [[Velas, Azores]], [[São Jorge Island]] and Cachorro, [[Santa Luzia (São Roque do Pico)|Santa Luzia]], [[Pico Island]] included primarily from inferences and eyewitness testimonies about sulfuric gases and vapors released from the waters along the coast (15–24&nbsp;February 1964 and 15&nbsp;December 1963, respectively)</ref>

[[File:Algar do Carvao, isla de Terceira, Azores, Portugal, 2020-07-25, DD 53-55 HDR.jpg|left|thumb|[[Algar do Carvão]] volcanic cave on Terceira Island]]
The islands have many examples of volcano-built geomorphology including caves and [[lava tube]]s (such as the [[Gruta das Torres]], [[Algar do Carvão]], [[Gruta do Natal]], Gruta das Cinco Ribeiras), the coastal lava fields (like the coast of [[Feteiras]], Faial, the Mistério of [[Prainha (São Roque do Pico)|Prainha]] or São João on Pico Island) in addition to the inactive cones in central São Miguel, the aforementioned Capelinhos on Faial, the volcanic complexes of Terceira or [[Plinian eruption|Plinian]] caldeira of Corvo Island.
The islands of the archipelago were formed through volcanic and seismic activity during the [[Neogene]] Period; the first embryonic surfaces started to appear in the waters of Santa Maria during the [[Miocene|Miocene epoch]] (from circa 8&nbsp;million years ago).

The sequence of the island formation has been generally characterized as: Santa Maria (8.12 Ma), São Miguel (4.1 Ma), Terceira (3.52 Ma), Graciosa (2.5 Ma), Flores (2.16 Ma), Faial (0.7 Ma), São Jorge (0.55 Ma), Corvo (0.7 Ma) and Pico (0.27 Ma).<ref name="Carine, 2010, p. 78">Carine, 2010, p. 78</ref> All islands have experienced volcanism during their geological history, with Late [[Holocene]] volcanism being recorded from Flores<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Andrade |first1=Mariana |last2=Ramalho |first2=Ricardo S. |last3=Pimentel |first3=Adriano |last4=Hernández |first4=Armand |last5=Kutterolf |first5=Steffen |last6=Sáez |first6=Alberto |last7=Benavente |first7=Mario |last8=Raposeiro |first8=Pedro M. |last9=Giralt |first9=Santiago |date=29 September 2021 |title=Unraveling the Holocene Eruptive History of Flores Island (Azores) Through the Analysis of Lacustrine Sedimentary Records |journal=[[Frontiers in Earth Science]] |volume=9 |page=889 |article-number=738178 |doi=10.3389/feart.2021.738178 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2021FrEaS...9..889A |issn=2296-6463 |hdl=2445/180382 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and Faial.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Góis-Marques |first1=C.A. |last2=Rubiales |first2=J.M. |last3=de Nascimento |first3=L. |last4=Menezes de Sequeira |first4=M. |last5=Fernández-Palacios |first5=J.M. |last6=Madeira |first6=J. |date=February 2020 |title=Oceanic Island forests buried by Holocene (Meghalayan) explosive eruptions: palaeobiodiversity in pre-anthropic volcanic charcoal from Faial Island (Azores, Portugal) and its palaeoecological implications |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0034666719302386 |journal=[[Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology]] |language=en |volume=273 |article-number=104116 |doi=10.1016/j.revpalbo.2019.104116 |bibcode=2020RPaPa.27304116G |hdl=10451/51565 |access-date=5 May 2024 |via=Elsevier Science Direct|hdl-access=free |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Within recorded "human settlement" history Santa Maria, Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo have not experienced any volcanic eruptions; in addition to active fumaroles and hot-springs, the remaining islands have had sporadic eruptions since the 14th century. Apart from the Capelinhos volcano in 1957–1958, the last recorded instance of "island formation" occurred off the coast of São Miguel, when the island of [[Sabrina Island (Azores)|Sabrina]] was briefly formed.

==== Earthquakes ====
Owing to its geodynamic environment, the region has been a center of intense seismic activity, particularly along its tectonic boundaries on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Terceira Rift. Seismic events although frequent, are usually tectonic or vulco-tectonic in nature but in general are of low to medium intensities, occasionally punctuated by events of [[Seismic magnitude scales|magnitude]] 5 or greater.<ref>Ferreira (2005) p 110</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/VA+-+Sismicidade+instrumental.htm |title=Actividade Sísmica |trans-title=Seismic Activity |year=2010 |access-date=15 April 2010 |language=pt |publisher=CVARG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305153323/http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/VA+-+Sismicidade+instrumental.htm|archive-date=5 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The most severe earthquake was registered in 1757, near [[Calheta, Azores|Calheta]], which exceeded magnitude 7. In comparison, the 1522 earthquake that was mentioned by historian [[Gaspar Frutuoso]] measured 6.8, but its effects were judged to be X (''Extreme'') on the [[Modified Mercalli intensity scale|Mercalli intensity scale]],<ref>Ferreira, 2005, p. 111</ref> and was responsible for the destruction of Vila Franca do Campo and landslides that may have killed more than 5,000 of the inhabitants.

{{wide image|Vista de Furnas, isla de San Miguel, Azores, Portugal, 2020-07-29, DD 82-90 PAN.jpg|750px|align-cap=center|Usual biome of the islands. A mix of [[laurisilva]], introduced [[Cryptomeria]] forests and agricultural fields, with usually small populated centers in between. Photo from [[Furnas]], [[São Miguel Island]]}}

===Biodiversity===
The archipelago lies in the [[Palearctic realm]] and has a unique biotic community that includes the [[Macaronesia]]n [[subtropical]] [[Laurel forest|laurissilva]], with many [[Endemism|endemic species]] of plants and animals.<ref name=Kostas2010/><ref name="Species">{{cite book |title=A list of the terrestrial and marine biota from the Azores |editor=Borges, P.A.V. |editor2=Costa, A. |editor3=Cunha, R. |editor4=Gabriel, R. |editor5=Gonçalves, V. |editor6=Martins, A.F. |editor7=Melo, I. |editor8=Parente, M. |editor9=Raposeiro, P. |editor10=Rodrigues, P. |editor11=Santos, R.S. |editor12=Silva, L. |editor13=Vieira, P. |editor14=Vieira, V. |display-editors=3 |year=2010 |publisher=Princípia, Cascais |isbn=978-989-8131-75-1 |pages=432 pp |no-pp=y |url=http://www.azoresbioportal.angra.uac.pt/files/publicacoes_Listagem_ml.pdf |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=14 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414235554/http://www.azoresbioportal.angra.uac.pt/files/publicacoes_Listagem_ml.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> There are at least 6,112 terrestrial species, of which about 411 are [[endemic]]. The majority (75%) of these endemics are animals, mostly [[arthropod]]s and [[Mollusca|mollusks]]. New species are found regularly in the Azores (e.g., 30 different new species of land snails were discovered circa 2013<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/investigador-dos-acores-descobriu-30-novas-especies-de-moluscos-nas-ilhas |title=Investigador dos Açores descobriu 30 novas espécies de moluscos nas ilhas |website=Açoriano Oriental |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804001419/https://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/investigador-dos-acores-descobriu-30-novas-especies-de-moluscos-nas-ilhas |url-status=live }}</ref>).

[[File:Açores 2010-07-20 (5068665946).jpg|thumb|right|Human impact on the [[Laurel forest#Macaronesia and the Mediterranean Basin|native flora]] of São Jorge can be seen by the [[hydrangea]]s (blue markings) and ''[[Pittosporum undulatum]]'' (centre-right)]]
Even though the Azores look very green and sometimes wild, the vegetation has been extremely altered. A great part of it has been wiped out in the past 600 years for its valuable wood (for tools, buildings, boats, fire wood, and so on) and to clear land for agriculture. As a result, it is estimated that more than half of insects on Graciosa have disappeared or will become extinct.<ref name="Kostas2010">{{Cite journal |last1=Triantis |first1=K. A. |last2=Borges |first2=P. A. V. |last3=Ladle |first3=R. J. |last4=Hortal |first4=J. |last5=Cardoso |first5=P. |last6=Gaspar |first6=C. |last7=Dinis |first7=F. |last8=Mendonça |first8=E. |last9=Silveira |first9=L. M. A. |last10=Gabriel |first10=R. |last11=Melo |first11=C. |last12=Santos |first12=A. M. C. |last13=Amorim |first13=I. R. |last14=Ribeiro |first14=S. R. P. |last15=Serrano |first15=A. R. M. |last16=Quartau |first16=J. A. |last17=Whittaker |first17=R. J. |title=Extinction debt on oceanic islands |doi=10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06203.x |journal=Ecography |volume=33 |pages=285–294 |year=2010 |issue=2 |bibcode=2010Ecogr..33..285T |hdl=10400.3/1712 |url=http://repositorio.uac.pt/bitstream/10400.3/1712/1/P130_%202010%20-%20Triantis%20et%20al%20Ecography%20%2b%20suppl%20mat.pdf |citeseerx=10.1.1.730.8154 |access-date=20 April 2018 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809121002/http://repositorio.uac.pt/bitstream/10400.3/1712/1/P130_%202010%20-%20Triantis%20et%20al%20Ecography%20%2b%20suppl%20mat.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many cultivated places (which are traditionally dedicated to pasture or to growing [[taro]], potatoes, maize and other crops) have been abandoned, especially as a result of emigration. Consequently, some invasive plants have filled these deserted and disturbed lands. [[Hydrangea]]s are another potential pest, but their threat is less serious. Hydrangeas were introduced from America or Asia, but some locals consider them a symbol of the archipelago and propagate them along roadsides. ''[[Cryptomeria]]'', the Japanese cedar, is a [[conifer]] extensively grown for its timber. The two most common of these alien species are ''[[Pittosporum undulatum]]'' and ''[[Hedychium gardnerianum]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Invasive Alien Plants in the Azorean Protected Areas: Invasion Status and Mitigation Actions |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255710470 |publisher=L.C. Foxcroft, D.M. Richardson, P. Pyšek, P. Genovesi |access-date=2 November 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611101243/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255710470_Invasive_Alien_Plants_in_the_Azorean_Protected_Areas_Invasion_Status_and_Mitigation_Actions |url-status=live }}</ref> Reforestation efforts with native laurissilva vegetation have been accomplished successfully in many parts of the Azores.<ref>{{cite web |title=APGHE da Tronqueira e Planalto dos Graminhais |url=http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrn-cets/conteudos/livres/APGHE_tronqueira.htm |website=azores.gov.pt |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227063121/http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrn-cets/conteudos/livres/APGHE_tronqueira.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Laurel |first=Project Life Sustainable |year=2011 |title=Laurissilva Sustentável: Plantação de endémicas dos Açores |url=http://lifelaurissilva.blogspot.com/2011/02/plantacao-de-endemicas-dos-acores.html |access-date=4 October 2018 |archive-date=4 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004185751/http://lifelaurissilva.blogspot.com/2011/02/plantacao-de-endemicas-dos-acores.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=LIFE Laurissilva Sustentável |url=http://life-laurissilva.spea.pt/noticias/detalhes.php?id=32 |website=life-laurissilva.spea.pt |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-date=27 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227062628/http://life-laurissilva.spea.pt/noticias/detalhes.php?id=32 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There are at least three endemic living bird species. The [[Azores bullfinch]], or ''Priolo'', is restricted to remnant laurisilva forest in the mountains at the eastern end of São Miguel<ref name="AzoresforestsWWF">{{cite web |title=Azores temperate mixed forests |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0403 |publisher=World Wildlife Fund |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=26 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226212854/https://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0403 |url-status=live }}</ref> and is classified by BirdLife International as [[Endangered species|endangered]]. [[Monteiro's storm petrel]], described to science as recently as 2008, is known to breed in just two locations in the islands but may occur more widely. The [[Azores chaffinch]], formerly considered a subspecies of the [[common chaffinch]], is an abundant and conspicuous resident on all the islands. An extinct species of owl, the [[São Miguel scops owl]], has recently been described, which probably became extinct after human settlement because of habitat destruction and the introduction of alien species. Five species of flightless [[Rail (bird)|rail]] (''[[Rallus]]'' spp.) once existed on the islands, as did a flightless quail (''[[Coturnix]]'' sp.),<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rando |first1=Juan C. |last2=Alcover |first2=Josep A. |last3=Pieper |first3=Harald |last4=Olson |first4=Storrs L. |last5=Hernández |first5=C Nayra |last6=López-Jurado |first6=L Felipe |year=2020 |title=Unforeseen diversity of quails (Galliformes: Phasianidae: ''Coturnix'') in oceanic islands provided by the fossil record of Macaronesia |journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society |volume=188 |issue=4 |pages=1296–1317 |doi=10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz107|doi-access=free}}</ref> a species of [[gadfly petrel]] ''[[Pterodroma zinorum]]'', and another species of bullfinch, the [[greater Azores bullfinch]], but these also went extinct after human colonization. Eleven subspecies of bird are endemic.<ref name="zt">{{cite journal |author1=Rando, Juan Carlos |author2=Alcover, Josep Antoni |author3=Olson, Storrs L. |author4=Pieper, Harald. |name-list-style=amp |year=2013 |title=A new species of extinct scops owl (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae: ''Otus'') from São Miguel Island (Azores Archipelago), North Atlantic Ocean |journal=Zootaxa |volume=3647 |issue=2 |pages=343–357 |url=http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03647p357f.pdf |doi=10.11646/zootaxa.3647.2.6 |pmid=26295111 |hdl=10261/85708 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=19 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219082024/http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03647p357f.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Azores has an endemic bat, the [[Azores noctule]], which has an unusually high frequency of diurnal flight.

[[File:Fogo lake - S.Miguel island - Azores (39000072215) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Lagoa do Fogo]] on São Miguel Island]]
The islets of the Formigas (the Portuguese word for "ants"), including the area known as the [[Dollabarat]] Reef, have a rich environment of maritime species, such as [[black coral]] and [[manta ray]]s, different species of sharks, whales, and sea turtles. Seventeen marine reserves (with special conservation status) were added to the Azorean Marine Park (which covers around {{cvt|900000|km2}}).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ailhadasflores.blogspot.com/2016/05/aumento-do-parque-marinho-dos-acores.html |title=Aumento do Parque Marinho dos Açores |access-date=18 May 2020 |archive-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620134528/https://ailhadasflores.blogspot.com/2016/05/aumento-do-parque-marinho-dos-acores.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On São Miguel there are notable micro-habitats formed by hot springs that host [[extremophile]] microorganisms.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Extremophile |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Earth |publisher=National Council for Science and the Environment |location=Washington D.C. |url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Extremophile?topic=49540 |access-date=10 January 2010 |last=Hogan |first=C. Michael |date=10 December 2010 |editor-last=Monosson |editor-first=Emily |editor2-first=Cutler J. |editor2-last=Cleveland |archive-date=11 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511141854/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Extremophile?topic=49540 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Azores.A2013168.1505.250m.jpg|thumb|right|Partly [[Cloud cover|cloudy]] counditions over the eastern and central groups; in this photo taken on June 17, 2013.]]
The archipelago is spread out at roughly the same latitude as the southern half of mainland Portugal, but its location in the mid-Atlantic Ocean gives it a generally tepid, [[oceanic climate|oceanic]], mild to warm [[subtropical climate]], with mild annual oscillations.

===='Azores High' anticyclone====
The Azores archipelago is located in a transition and confrontation zone between air masses of tropical origin and masses of cooler air of polar origin. The climate is largely determined by variations in the atmospheric pressure field over the North Atlantic. These variations, conditioned by the mass of the American continent and the Atlantic water mass, are overlapped by a semi-permanent subtropical Atlantic [[anticyclone]], commonly known as the [[Azores High]]. This anticyclone experiences seasonal variations which can affect the archipelago in many ways.

In winter, the Azores High is positioned further south and allows for a descent of the [[Polar front]], approaching it to the archipelago. In summer, the anticyclone's movement further north leads to the departure towards higher latitudes of the polar front and its associated disturbances. Far enough away from the mainland coasts, the continental air masses that reach the archipelago are weakened by the maritime influence.

[[File:Pico Volcano.jpg|thumb|left|Mount Pico covered with snow.]]
The same cannot be said for the higher altitudes (e.g. Mount Pico), where upper air masses of continental origin and with a more direct pathway can reach the surface and present those areas with drier air and more extreme temperatures. At the same time, this free atmosphere circulating air transports [[aerosol]]s to the archipelago, namely volcanic ash or fine sands from the [[Sahara]] desert, which sporadically affect the radiation and air quality.<ref name="enciclopedia" />

Daily maximum temperatures at low altitudes usually range between {{cvt|16|and|25|°C|0}}. The average annual rainfall generally increases from east to west, ranging from {{cvt|700|mm|0}} in Santa Maria to {{cvt|1600|mm|0}} in Flores and reaching values above {{cvt|5000|mm}} on the highlands of Pico.<ref name="Climate of the Azores islands">{{cite web |title=Climate of the Azores islands |website=Azores Weather |url=http://www.azoresweather.com |access-date=5 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514035733/http://www.azoresweather.com/ |archive-date=14 May 2009}}</ref>

====Köppen classification====
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map Azores present.svg|thumb|300x300px|Köppen map of Azores]]
Under the Köppen climate classification, the Eastern Group is usually classified as [[Mediterranean Climate|Mediterranean]] while the Central and Western Groups (especially [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] and [[Corvo Island|Corvo]]) are more [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] and overall rainier because of the effects of the [[Gulf Stream]]. This stream has a large effect over the sea temperature which varies between {{cvt|16|C}} in February and March, and {{cvt|23|C}} in August and September, and increases earlier in the Western Group.<ref>{{cite web |title=Portugal sea temperatures |url=https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/portugal/ |website=seatemperature.org |access-date=19 December 2021 |language=en |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219021454/https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/portugal/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Salvador Rivas-Martínez]]'s data presents several different bioclimatic zones for the Azores.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mapas bioclimáticos y biogeográficos |website=globalbioclimatics.org |url=http://www.globalbioclimatics.org/form/tb_med.htm |access-date=26 February 2017 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014103938/http://www.globalbioclimatics.org/form/tb_med.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Seasonal lag]] is extreme in the low-sun half of the year, with December being milder than April in terms of mean temperatures. During summer the lag is somewhat lower, with August being the warmest month, though September is usually as warm or warmer than July.

==== Temperatures, humidity, and sunshine ====
Although temperatures as warm as {{cvt|32.1|C|F}} have been recorded on Pico, neither Ponta Delgada nor Angra do Heroísmo have ever been warmer than {{cvt|30|C|F}}. No snowfall or temperatures below {{cvt|0|C}} have been recorded at sea level on any of the islands.<ref name="IPMA Flores">{{cite web|url= https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_71-00_FLORES.pdf|title=Normais climatológicas 1971-2000>Flores |access-date=19 May 2025|publisher=Instituto de Meteorologia}}</ref><ref name="IPMA Angra">{{cite web|url= https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_71-00_ANGRA_DO_HEROISMO.pdf|title=Normais climatológicas 1971-2000>Terceira |access-date=19 May 2025|publisher=Instituto de Meteorologia}}</ref><ref name="IPMA Ponta Delgada">{{cite web|url= https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_71-00_PONTA_DELGADA_SAO_MIGUEL.pdf|title=Normais climatológicas 1971-2000>Ponta Delgada |access-date=19 May 2025|publisher=Instituto de Meteorologia}}</ref> The coldest weather in winter usually comes from northwesterly [[air mass]]es originating from eastern Canada. However, since those air masses are warmed up as they pass across the warmer Atlantic Ocean, temperatures by day even then exceed {{cvt|10|C|F}}.

The average relative humidity can range from 80% at the coast to over 90% above {{cvt|400|m}}. However, higher elevations above the [[planetary boundary layer]] can experience extremely low values close to 10%.<ref name="enciclopedia" /> Summers are especially humid in August and may increase the perceived temperature by a few degrees. Winters are not only very mild but also very humid and contribute substantially to the annual precipitation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Average Weather in Horta Portugal |url=https://weatherspark.com/y/31452/Average-Weather-in-Horta-Portugal-Year-Round |publisher=weatherspark.com |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206191328/https://weatherspark.com/y/31452/Average-Weather-in-Horta-Portugal-Year-Round |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Insolation]] is relatively low, with 35–40% of the total possible value for sunshine, and higher in topographically lower islands such as Graciosa or Santa Maria, inversely proportional to precipitation. This is directly caused by the [[orographic lift]] of humid air masses and is especially pronounced in islands marked by high [[orography]].<ref name="enciclopedia">{{cite web |title=Clima |language=pt |publisher=Enciclopédia Açoriana |url=http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/ea/pesquisa/Default.aspx?id=1903 |access-date=5 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184526/http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/ea/pesquisa/Default.aspx?id=1903 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Columns-start|num=3}}
{{climate chart
| [[Flores Airport]], [[Flores Island, Azores|Flores]]
|12.5|17.1|192.0
|12.0|16.9|158.9
|12.4|17.2|165.8
|13.2|18.2|114.1
|14.6|19.7|104.8
|16.8|22.1|95.0
|19.2|24.9|64.9
|20.3|26.0|80.8
|19.3|24.6|115.9
|17.0|21.8|177.6
|14.9|19.4|153.8
|13.3|17.9|217.7
}}
{{Column}}
{{climate chart
| [[Horta, Azores|Horta]], [[Faial Island|Faial]]
|12.9|16.9|105.4
|12.2|16.7|92.8
|12.5|16.9|113.7
|13.1|17.8|77.2
|14.4|19.2|77.7
|16.6|21.6|59.0
|19.0|24.4|41.8
|20.2|25.8|47.8
|19.4|24.6|87.9
|17.2|21.9|132.2
|15.1|19.3|111.9
|13.6|17.8|139.7
}}
{{Column}}
{{climate chart
| [[Santa Maria Airport (Azores)|Santa Maria Airport]], [[Santa Maria Island|Santa Maria]]
|12.0|16.8|86.4
|11.5|16.6|71.8
|12.2|17.2|64.7
|12.6|18.0|56.3
|13.9|19.5|38.8
|16.1|21.6|21.7
|18.2|24.1|25.9
|19.4|25.3|36.8
|18.7|24.5|59.7
|16.8|22.0|77.0
|14.8|19.6|112.7
|13.2|18.0|77.7
}}
{{Columns-end}}

====Hurricanes====
{{Main|List of Azores hurricanes}}
Despite the northern position that the archipelago occupies, the Azores can be affected by the passage of [[Atlantic hurricane|tropical cyclones]], or tropical storms derived from them.Some can result from anomalies of low latitude systems, while others result from the return to the Atlantic after a route close to or even over the American continent. Though often small and in the process of dissipation, these cyclones result in many of the worst storms the archipelago is subject to.<ref name="enciclopedia" />

A total of 14 [[Tropical cyclone|tropical]] or [[subtropical cyclone]]s have affected the region in history. Most of them were either [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical]] or [[Tropical cyclone|tropical storms]] when they affected the region, although several [[Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale|Category 1 hurricanes]] have reached the Azores.

The following storms have impacted the region while at Category 1 strength:
{{div col begin |colwidth=15em}}
*[[Hurricane Fran (1973)|Hurricane Fran]] in 1973
*[[Hurricane Emmy]] in 1976
*[[Hurricane Gordon (2006)|Hurricane Gordon]] in 2006
*[[2012 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Gordon|Hurricane Gordon]] in 2012
*[[Hurricane Alex (2016)|Hurricane Alex]] in 2016
{{div col end}}

Several tropical or subtropical storms have hit the region, including:

{{div col begin |colwidth=15em}}
*[[Tropical Storm Irma (1978)|Tropical Storm Irma]] in 1978
*[[Hurricane Bonnie (1992)|Hurricane Bonnie]] in 1992
*[[1992 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Charley|Hurricane Charley]] in 1992
*[[Hurricane Erika (1997)|Hurricane Erika]] in 1997
*[[2005 Azores subtropical storm|Unnamed subtropical cyclone]] in 2005
*[[2016 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Gaston|Hurricane Gaston]] in 2016
*[[Tropical Storm Gaston (2022)|Tropical Storm Gaston]] in 2022
*[[2024 Atlantic hurricane season#Tropical Storm Patty|Subtropical Storm Patty]] in 2024
*[[2025 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Gabrielle|Hurricane Gabrielle]] in 2025
{{div col end}}

Storms that were extratropical when they impacted the region include:
{{div col begin |colwidth=15em}}
*[[Hurricane Tanya (1995)|Hurricane Tanya]] in 1995
*[[Tropical Storm Ana (2003)|Tropical Storm Ana]] in 2003
*[[Tropical Storm Grace (2009)|Tropical Storm Grace]] in 2009
{{div col end}}

== Economy ==
In order of importance, the main sectors of employment are services, agriculture, fishery, industry and tourism.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Research for REGI Committee: The economic, social and territorial situation of the Azores (Portugal) |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/601971/IPOL_BRI%282017%29601971_EN.pdf |journal=Briefing for the European Parliament |access-date=3 September 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127105317/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/601971/IPOL_BRI(2017)601971_EN.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Economy Azores |url=http://azoresweb.com/economy.html |access-date=2020-09-03 |website=azoresweb.com |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803173635/http://www.azoresweb.com/economy.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Agricultural products include [[São Jorge cheese]]. As of 2023, GDP stood at €5.4 billion, with a GDP per capita of €22,346, [[List of Portuguese administrative divisions by GDP|88% of Portugal's average]] and 59% of the EU27 average.<ref name="GDP"/><ref name="GDP2"/>

=== Sustainability ===
The Azores are committed to [[sustainable tourism]] and have implemented various policies to preserve their natural, historical, and cultural resources. This approach has led to the designation of approximately 25% of the land area as protected areas for conservation and the establishment of vast marine reserves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cadete |first=Bárbara |date=2020-09-15 |title=Marine Protected Areas in the Azores |url=https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/en/page/marine-protected-areas-azores |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=- CCMAR – |language=pt-pt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040730/https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/en/page/marine-protected-areas-azores |url-status=dead }}</ref> Key to the sustainability policy is the integration and participation of all societal members, ensuring equal opportunities in various sectors like health, social solidarity, education, culture, and employment. The harmony between people and nature is considered vital for [[sustainable development]], enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors.

The Azores Destination Management Organisation,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sustainability Case of the Azores Archipelago {{!}} Adventure Travel Trade Association |url=https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/sustainability-case-of-the-azores-archipelago |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=adventuretravelnews.com}}</ref> established in 2018, plays a crucial role in coordinating these sustainability efforts with public and private sectors, [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]], and local communities. The policy aims to position the Azores as a leading sustainable tourist destination, aligning with the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] and gaining certification with the [[EarthCheck|EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations]] program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azores is the first archipelago to receive the certification of Sustainable Tourism Destination |url=https://forward-h2020.eu/event/https-www-gstcouncil-org-gstc-2019-global-conference-in-the-azores/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=nexa |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Lusa |date=2021-09-13 |title=Azores going for gold certification as sustainable tourism destination in 2024 |url=https://econews.pt/2021/09/13/azores-going-for-gold-certification-as-sustainable-tourism-destination-in-2024/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=ECO News |language=en-US |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040720/https://econews.pt/2021/09/13/azores-going-for-gold-certification-as-sustainable-tourism-destination-in-2024/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> All with a focus on continuous improvement, prioritising the involvement of local communities and stakeholders in decision-making, and promoting sustainability across the tourism sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Recursos |url=https://sustainable.azores.gov.pt/contactos/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Açores – No rumo da sustentabilidade |language=pt-pt |archive-date=5 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205040736/https://sustainable.azores.gov.pt/contactos/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baixinho |first1=Alexandra |last2=Santos |first2=Carlos |last3=Couto |first3=Gualter |last4=Albergaria |first4=Isabel Soares de |last5=Silva |first5=Leonor Sampaio da |last6=Medeiros |first6=Pilar Damião |last7=Simas |first7=Rosa Maria Neves |date=2023-11-01 |title=Sustainable Creative Tourism on Islands and the Pandemic: The Creatour Azores Project |url=https://islandstudiesjournal.org/article/84756-sustainable-creative-tourism-on-islands-and-the-pandemic-the-creatour-azores-project |journal=Island Studies Journal |language=en |volume=18 |issue=2 |doi=10.24043/isj.416|doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Transport===
[[File:Ilha das Flores P5300348 (35621052890).jpg|thumb|right|Country road on Flores Island]]

====Aviation====
[[File:Lajes field (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Lajes Air Base]], on [[Terceira Island]], is a joint [[Portuguese Air Force]] and [[United States Air Force]] military base.]]
{{main|Aviation in the Azores}}
Each of the nine islands has an airport, although the majority are airfields rather than airports.  The full list of airports is:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flugplaetze.org/PT/ |title=Flughäfen in Portugal (PT) |publisher=Flugplaetze.org |access-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107025615/http://www.flugplaetze.org/PT/ |archive-date=7 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Santa Maria: [[Santa Maria Airport (Azores)|Santa Maria Airport (LPAZ)]]
*São Miguel: [[João Paulo II Airport|João Paulo II Airport (LPPD)]]
*Terceira: [[Lajes Airport|Lajes Airport (LPLA)]]
*São Jorge: [[São Jorge Airport|São Jorge Airport (LPSJ)]]
*Pico: [[Pico Airport|Pico Airport (LPPI)]]
*Faial: [[Horta Airport|Horta Airport (LPHR)]]
*Graciosa: [[Graciosa Airport|Graciosa Airport (LPGR)]]
*Flores: [[Flores Airport|Flores Airport (LPFL)]]
*Corvo: [[Corvo Airport|Corvo Airport (LPCR)]]

The primary (and busiest) airport of the island group is João Paulo II Airport. The commercial terminals at João Paulo II, Horta, Santa Maria and Flores airports are operated by [[ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal]], a public entity that oversees the operations of airports across Portugal. The remaining, except for Lajes Airport, are operated by the Regional Government. Lajes is a military airbase, as well as a commercial airport, and is operated by the Portuguese Armed Forces in conjunction with the United States.
{{Clear}}

====Marine transportation====
[[File:Misericórdia church from the dam Angra (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|left|Marina of [[Angra do Heroísmo]]]]
The Azores has had a long history of marine transport to overcome distances and establish inter-community contacts and trade. Consequently, the shipbuilding industry developed in many islands, from small fishing boats to whaling sloops and larger passenger services.<ref name="ALine">{{cite web |url=http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |title=atlanticoline.pt: History |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |publisher=Atlânticoline |access-date=14 March 2011 |year=2009 |language=pt |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511114044/http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Passenger traffic to the main islands (São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira and Faial) began in the 17th century, and between the 18th–19th century, the ''Pico Yacht'' controlled the lucrative summer traffic season.<ref name=ALine/> After 1871, the Insulana Shipping Company was the only entity responsible for regular traffic between the islands (except Corvo), Madeira and the United States.<ref name="ALine" /> Cargo and passenger transportation ceased in the 1970s, and the ships were sold or converted into tuna fishing boats. For the next 20 years, commercial maritime service between the islands ceased (except between Faial-Pico and Lajes das Flores-Vila do Corvo).<ref name="ALine" />

[[File:Marina of Horta at sunrise, Faial Island, Azores, Portgual (PPL2-Enhanced) julesvernex2.jpg|thumb|right|The port of Horta is famed worldwide as a trans-Atlantic stop for yachts and sailors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200206-a-post-office-in-the-middle-of-the-atlantic |title=A post office in the middle of the Atlantic |first=Fernando Teixeira & Izabela |last=Cardoso |date=7 February 2020 |publisher=BBC |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200209224313/http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20200206-a-post-office-in-the-middle-of-the-atlantic |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[Transmaçor]] (Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda.) was founded in 1987.<ref name="Transmacor">{{cite web |url=http://transmacor.pt/site_actual/ |title=Transmaçor – Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Ldª. |editor=Transmaçor |location=Horta (Azores), Portugal |publisher=Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda. |language=pt |year=2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310022040/https://transmacor.pt/site_actual/ |archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref><ref>The societies and companies comprise 80% of the capital, with the remaining shares owned by the Azores Regional Government.</ref> The shipping company operates four to six daily connections between Horta and Madalena throughout the year, using its small fleet of ships, in addition to inter-island connections between Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira during the summer months.<ref name=Transmacor/> New initiatives began in the late 1990s: the catamaran ''Iapetos'' began services, followed by ''Lady of Mann'' and ''Golfinho Azul'' (chartered by Açorline).<ref name="ALine2">{{cite web |year=2009 |title=atlanticoline.pt: History |url=http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |access-date=14 March 2011 |publisher=Atlânticoline |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |language=pt |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511114044/http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Steve Jobs Yacht Venus in Portugal (Faial Island).jpg|thumb|left|[[Steve Jobs]]'s yacht ''[[Venus (yacht)|Venus]]'' at [[Horta, Azores|Horta]] Marina]]

In 2005, [[Atlânticoline]] was established, providing transport services.<ref name="ALine" /> In 2009, Atlanticoline was involved in a controversial rejection of a 750-passenger, 150-vehicle ship ordered from the Estaleiros de Viana do Castelo (ENVC).<ref name="ENVC">{{cite web |title="Atlântida" está há um ano ancorado em Lisboa e ainda sem destino |url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/atlantida-esta-ha-um-ano-ancorado-em-lisboa-e-ainda-sem-destino |language=pt |date=28 August 2012 |access-date=28 August 2012 |location=Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal |author=Agência Lusa/AO online/Hoje |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501105244/http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticia/atlantida-esta-ha-um-ano-ancorado-em-lisboa-e-ainda-sem-destino |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Atlantida'', a 50&nbsp;million Euro cruiser (as part of a two-ship deal with the other named ''Anticiclone'') was rejected in 2009 by Atlanticoline for the under-performance of the power-plant.<ref name="ENVC" /> Although it would result in only a five-minute delay between islands, the public company rejected the ship, and the contract was broken over the builder's inability to deliver the required ship on time.<ref name="ENVC" /> While the ship was being shopped to other interested parties ([[Hugo Chávez]] once considered purchasing the ferryboat in 2010), no interested buyers appeared, and ENVC decided to cede the ''Atlantida'' to Atlânticoline as part of the latter's open international competition to charter two ships in 2012.<ref name="ENVC" />

In June 2011, the Regional Government announced that it would purchase 60% of Transmaçor, equivalent to 500,000 Euro of the company's capital. With this transaction the government took control of 88% of the capital of the company. The signed memorandum of understanding concluded negotiations between the various parties involved, under which the liability of Transmaçor (worth a total of 8&nbsp;million Euro) was divided equally between the government and businessman [[José E. Almeida]], who was previously the holder of a majority stake in the company.<ref name="StakeTransmacor">{{cite web |editor=AO Online |author=Lusa |title=Concluídas negociações para compra da Transmaçor |access-date=21 June 2011 |date=20 June 2011 |language=pt |url=http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216797 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006091230/http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216797 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Similarly, the Regional Government approved the consolidation of the three individual port authorities (Administração dos Portos do Triângulo e Grupo Ocidental, Administração dos Portos da Terceira e Graciosa and the Administração dos Portos das Ilhas de São Miguel e Santa Maria) and regional Portos dos Açores into one entity that resulted in a 2.2&nbsp;million Euro cost savings, in addition to a reduction from 11 to three administrators.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribunadasilhas.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2170:portos-dos-acores--fusao-administrativa-aprovada-na-assembleia-regional&catid=2:regional&Itemid=3 |title=Portos dos Açores – Fusão administrativa aprovada na Assembleia Regional |language=pt |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=5 September 2011 |first=Maria |last=Pinheiro |publisher=Tribuna das Ilhas |location=Horta, Portugal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711054523/http://www.tribunadasilhas.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2170%3Aportos-dos-acores--fusao-administrativa-aprovada-na-assembleia-regional&catid=2%3Aregional&Itemid=3 |archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
| 1864 | 249135
| 1878 | 263305
| 1890 | 255487
| 1900 | 256673
| 1911 | 242941
| 1920 | 231543
| 1930 | 255464
| 1940 | 287080
| 1950 | 318459
| 1960 | 327476
| 1970 | 289096
| 1981 | 243410
| 1991 | 237795
| 2001 | 241763
| 2011 | 246772
| 2021 | 236413
}}
[[File:SMG_PDL_SantoCristo_mass2.JPG|thumb|right|170px|Azoreans during a religious festival]]
The Azores are divided into 19 municipalities ({{lang|pt|concelhos}}); each municipality is further divided into ''[[freguesia]]s'' (civil administrative parishes), of which there is a [[List of parishes of Portugal|total of 156]] in all of the Azores.

There are six cities ({{lang|pt|cidades}}): [[Ponta Delgada]], [[Lagoa (Azores)|Lagoa]] and [[Ribeira Grande, São Miguel|Ribeira Grande]] on São Miguel; [[Angra do Heroísmo]] and [[Praia da Vitória]] on Terceira, and [[Horta (Azores)|Horta]] on Faial. Three of these, Ponta Delgada, Angra and Horta are considered capital/administrative cities to the regional government: homes to the president (Ponta Delgada), the judiciary (Angra) and the Regional Assembly (Horta). Angra also serves as the ecclesiastical centre of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Angra]], the episcopal see of the Azores.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:100pt;"| Island !! rowspan="2" style="width:75pt;"|Group!! colspan="2" style="width:100pt;"| Population<ref name="INE">{{citation |url=http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes&PUBLICACOESpub_boui=131011251&PUBLICACOEStema=5414321&PUBLICACOESmodo=2 |title=Censos 2011 – Resultadas Preliminares |trans-title=2011 Census – Preliminary Results |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estatística |location=Lisbon, Portugal |language=pt |access-date=1 January 2012 |year=2010 |editor=INE |editor-link=Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Portugal) |archive-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215060117/https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes&PUBLICACOESpub_boui=131011251&PUBLICACOEStema=5414321&PUBLICACOESmodo=2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!colspan="2"|[[Municipalities of Portugal|Municipalities]] of the Azores!! rowspan="2" style="width:150pt;"| Main Settlement
|-
! style="text-align:right; width:75pt;"|2021!! style="text-align:right; width:75pt;" |% Total!! style="text-align:right; width:50pt;"|No!! style="text-align:left; width:550pt;"|Municipalities (''[[Concelho]]'')
|-
| [[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]] ||Eastern||align="right"| 133,295 || align="right" | 56.38
| style="text-align:center;"| 6 ||[[Lagoa, Azores|Lagoa]], [[Nordeste, Azores|Nordeste]], [[Ponta Delgada]], [[Povoação]], [[Ribeira Grande, São Miguel|Ribeira Grande]], [[Vila Franca do Campo]] ||[[Ponta Delgada]]
|-
| [[Terceira Island|Terceira]] ||Central||align="right"| 53,244 || align="right" | 22.52
| style="text-align:center;"| 2||[[Angra do Heroísmo]], [[Praia da Vitória]] ||[[Angra do Heroísmo]]
|-
| [[Faial Island|Faial]] ||Central||align="right"| 14,334 || align="right" | 6.06
| style="text-align:center;"| 1||[[Horta (Azores)|Horta]] ||[[Horta (Azores)|Horta]]
|-
| [[Pico Island|Pico]] ||Central||align="right"| 13,883 || align="right" | 5.87
| style="text-align:center;"| 3||[[Lajes do Pico]], [[Madalena (Azores)|Madalena]], [[São Roque do Pico]] ||[[Madalena (Azores)|Madalena]]
|-
| [[São Jorge Island|São Jorge]] ||Central||align="right"| 8,373 || align="right" | 3.54
| style="text-align:center;"| 2||[[Calheta (Azores)|Calheta]], [[Velas, Azores|Velas]] ||[[Velas, Azores|Velas]]
|-
| [[Santa Maria Island|Santa Maria]] ||Eastern||align="right"| 5,408 || align="right" | 2.29
| style="text-align:center;"| 1||[[Vila do Porto]] ||[[Vila do Porto]]
|-
| [[Graciosa Island|Graciosa]] ||Central||align="right"| 4,091 || align="right" | 1.73
| style="text-align:center;"| 1||[[Santa Cruz da Graciosa]] ||[[Santa Cruz da Graciosa]]
|-
| [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] ||Western||align="right"| 3,428 || align="right" | 1.45
| style="text-align:center;"| 2||[[Lajes das Flores]], [[Santa Cruz das Flores]] ||[[Santa Cruz das Flores]]
|-
| [[Corvo Island|Corvo]] ||Western||align="right"| 384 || align="right" | 0.16
| style="text-align:center;"| 1||[[Corvo, Azores|Vila do Corvo]] ||[[Vila do Corvo]]
|-
| Total |||| style="text-align:right;"| 236,440 ||
| style="text-align:center;"| 19||||
|}

===Population===
[[File:Ilha de São Miguel DSC00659 (36586155410) (cropped) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, is the largest city in the Azores.]]
[[File:Angra do heroismo garden view (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, is [[UNESCO World Heritage]].]]

According to the 2019 census, population was 242,796.<ref name=ine2021>[https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&contecto=pi&indOcorrCod=0008273&selTab=tab0 "População residente".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105115121/https://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_indicadores&contecto=pi&indOcorrCod=0008273&selTab=tab0 |date=5 November 2016 }} Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Retrieved 13 November 2020.</ref> The Azores were uninhabited when Portuguese navigators arrived in the early 15th century; settlement began in 1439 with migrants from mainland Portugal as well as Spaniards, [[Sephardic Jews]], [[Moors]], Italians, Flemings, and Africans from [[Guinea]], [[Cape Verde]] and [[São Tomé and Príncipe]].<ref name="HLA Class I and II profiles in São">{{cite journal |last1=Pacheco |first1=Paula R. |last2=Branco |first2=Claudia C. |last3=Gomes |first3=Cidália T. |last4=Cabral |first4=Rita |last5=Mota-Vieira |first5=Luisa |date=12 May 2010 |title=HLA Class I and II profiles in São Miguel Island (Azores): genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium |journal=BMC Research Notes |volume=3 |issue=134 |pages=134 |doi=10.1186/1756-0500-3-134 |pmc=2883542 |pmid=20462405 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The first Sephardic Jews in the Azores were slaves after their expulsion from Portugal by King Manuel I in 1496. The islands sometimes served as a waypoint for ships carrying [[Atlantic slave trade|African slaves]].<ref name="Colonialism: An International, Social, Cultural, and Political Encyclopedia">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFTHBoRvQbsC&pg=PA42 |title=Colonialism: An International, Social, Cultural, and Political Encyclopedia |author1=Page, Melvin Eugene |author2=Penny M. Sonnenburg |name-list-style=amp |isbn=978-1-57607-335-3 |year=2003 |publisher=Abc-Clio |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033933/https://books.google.com/books?id=qFTHBoRvQbsC&pg=PA42 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Emigration===
Since the 17th century, many Azoreans have emigrated, mainly to Brazil, Uruguay, the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.csustan.edu/bsantos/azores.html |title=Azores Islands |publisher=Library.csustan.edu |date=17 January 1997 |access-date=5 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512001602/https://www.library.csustan.edu/bsantos/azores.html |archive-date=12 May 2008}}</ref> [[Rhode Island]] and southeastern [[Massachusetts]] are the primary destination for Azorean emigrants.<ref>{{cite web |author=da Silva, Lurdes C. 22 August 2008 |url=http://www.ojornal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20087125&BRD=2677&PAG=461&dept_id=543384&rfi=6 |title=Mass.- Azores links inked |publisher=O Jornal |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=5 May 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> From 1921 to 1977, about 250,000 Azoreans immigrated to Rhode Island and Massachusetts.<ref>[http://wwwlibrary.csustan.edu/bsantos/immigr.html "Azorean Immigration into the United States"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203140318/http://wwwlibrary.csustan.edu/bsantos/immigr.html |date=3 February 2009}}. Library.csustan.edu.</ref> Northern [[California]] was the final destination for many of the Massachusetts immigrants who then moved on to the [[San Joaquin Valley]], especially the city of [[Turlock, California|Turlock]]. In the late 19th century many Azoreans [[Portuguese immigration to Hawaii|immigrated to the Hawaiian islands]].<ref name="diaspora" /> The [[tuna]] fishing industry drew a significant number of Azoreans to the [[Point Loma, San Diego|Point Loma]] neighborhood of [[San Diego]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Orbach |first=Michael K. |title=Hunters, Seamen, and Entrepreneurs: The Tuna Seinermen of San Diego |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H16MRRFQMW8C&pg=PA7 |year=1977 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-03348-1 |page=7 |access-date=22 November 2015 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033943/https://books.google.com/books?id=H16MRRFQMW8C&pg=PA7 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the [[Great Recession]] of the early 21st century, Portugal was in a recession from 2011 until 2013, which resulted in high levels of unemployment across the mainland as well as the Azores.<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Portugal|access-date=25 December 2019 |year=2019}}</ref> The Great Recession led to an increase of emigration from the Azores.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Minder |first=Raphael |date=4 June 2015 |title=Azorean Diaspora Can't Resist the Powerful Pull of Home |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/world/europe/azores-diaspora-holy-christ-of-miracles.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/world/europe/azores-diaspora-holy-christ-of-miracles.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |access-date=25 December 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

[[Florianópolis]] and [[Porto Alegre]] in the [[South Region, Brazil|Southern Region]] of Brazil were founded by Azoreans, who accounted for over half of [[Rio Grande do Sul]] and [[Santa Catarina (state)|Santa Catarina]]'s populations in the late 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.terrabrasileira.net/folclore/regioes/7tipos/acores.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231170219/http://www.terrabrasileira.net/folclore/regioes/7tipos/acores.html |url-status=usurped |title=Imigrantes: Açorianos|archive-date=31 December 2007}}</ref> As late as 1960, mass immigration currents were registered to Brazil, and many were from the Azores.<ref name="diaspora">Russell King, John Connell (1999). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=8asL17kRGToC&pg=PA61 Small worlds, global lives: islands and migration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033931/https://books.google.com/books?id=8asL17kRGToC&pg=PA61 |date=25 March 2019 }}''. Continuum International Publishing Group. pp. 61–65. {{ISBN|1-85567-548-X}}</ref>

==Politics==
{{Main|Political status of the Azores}}
[[File:Palacio de Santana (14826301491) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[:pt:Palácio de Sant'Ana|Sant'Ana Palace]] is the seat of the President of the Azores.]]
[[File:Palácio dos Capitães Generais Angra 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[:pt:Palácio dos Capitães-Generais (Angra do Heroísmo)|Palace of the Capitães-Generais]] is a residence of the Azorean President.]]
Since 1976, the Azores has been an autonomous region integrated within the framework of the Portuguese Republic. It has its own government and autonomous legislature within its own political-administrative statute and organic law. Its governmental organs include: the legislative assembly, a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] parliament composed of 52 elected deputies, elected by universal [[suffrage]] for a four-year term; the regional government and presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a president, a vice-president and seven regional secretaries responsible for day-to-day operations. It is represented in the Council of Ministers by a representative appointed by the president of the republic, which was created during the revision of the constitution of 2004 (which, among other things, removed the older Portuguese representative that was appointed by the president of the republic, beholden to the council of state and coincident with the president). Since becoming a Portuguese autonomous region, the executive branch of the regional authority has been located in Ponta Delgada, the legislative branch in Horta, and the judicial branch in Angra do Heroísmo. 

[[File:Solar da Madre de Deus.jpg|thumb|left|[[Madre de Deus Manor]] is the seat of the [[:pt:Representante da República nos Açores|Representative of the Republic]].]]
[[File:Largo 2 de Março, Ponta Delgada (16863454855) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Conceição Palace, Ponta Delgada|Conceição Palace]] is the headquarters of the Azorean cabinet.]]
The islands do not have independent status in law, except in electoral law and are governed by 19 municipalities that subdivide the islands. In addition, until the administrative reform of the 19th century, the following civil parishes had municipal standing: Topo (today integrated into the municipality of [[Calheta (Azores)|Calheta]], São Jorge); [[Praia (Santa Cruz da Graciosa)|Praia]] (today integrated into municipality of [[Santa Cruz da Graciosa]]); [[Vila de São Sebastião|São Sebastião]] (today an integral part of the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo); Capelas (now part of the municipality of Ponta Delgada); and Água de Pau (now a civil parish in the municipality of Lagoa). These civil parishes still retain their titles of "vila" in name only; the populations of Capelas and neighbouring parish still protest the change and promote the restoration of their status. The municipalities are further subdivided into several civil parishes, with the exception of [[Corvo (Azores)|Corvo]] (the only Portuguese municipality by law without a civil parish, owing to its size).

Politics is dominated by the two largest Portuguese political parties, the [[Socialist Party (Portugal)|Socialist Party]] and [[Social Democratic Party (Portugal)|Social Democratic Party]], the former holding a majority in the Legislative Assembly. The [[CDS – People's Party|Democratic and Social Center / People's Party]], the [[Left Bloc (Portugal)|Left Bloc]], the [[Unitary Democratic Coalition]] and the [[People's Monarchist Party (Portugal)|People's Monarchist Party]] are also represented. {{As of|2020|alt=As of the 2020 regional election}}, the president of the Azores is Social Democratic Party leader [[José Manuel Bolieiro]]. Although the Socialist Party dominates the regional politics, the Social Democratic Party is traditionally popular in city and [[town council]] elections.

===Foreign relations and defence===

As an autonomous but integral region of Portugal, foreign affairs and defence are the responsibility of the national government. As is all of Portugal, the Azores are in the [[European Union]] and [[Schengen Area]]. They are also in the [[European Union Customs Union]] and [[Value-added tax|VAT]] area<ref>[https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/eu-vat-rules-topic/territorial-status-eu-countries-certain-territories_en Territorial status of EU countries and certain territories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812213949/https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/eu-vat-rules-topic/territorial-status-eu-countries-certain-territories_en |date=12 August 2019 }}{{snd}} [[European Commission]], retrieved 18 December 2018</ref> but levy a lower rate of VAT than applies on the mainland. The Azores, like Madeira and the [[Canary Islands]], are among the European Union's [[Special territories of members of the European Economic Area|state territories with special status]], and are one of its designated "Outermost Regions".

The [[Azores Military Zone]] is the Portuguese Army's command for ground forces stationed in the archipelago.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exercito.pt/pt/quem-somos/organizacao/ceme/cft/zma|title=Quartel-General da Zona Militar dos Açores |website=Portuguese Army |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref> The [[Portuguese Air Force|Air Force]], in turn, maintains a base at Lajes Field, which is also home to the [[United States Forces Azores]], while the [[Portuguese Navy|Navy]] tasks the offshore patrol vessel ''[[Viana do Castelo-class patrol vessel|Figueira da Foz]]'', as well as a range of other patrol vessels, to patrol [[Exclusive economic zone of Portugal|Portugal's large economic zone around the islands]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/patrulhasoceanicos/Paginas/nrp-figueira-foz.aspx|title=NRP Figueira da Foz |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marinha.pt/pt/os_meios/lanchas/Paginas/default.aspx|title=Lanchas |website=Portuguese Navy |access-date=24 July 2023}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Igreja do Colégio dos Jesuítas.jpeg|thumb|left|The [[Portuguese Architecture#Azores Islands|architecture of the Azores]] is characterized by the contrast between black volcanic stone and white stucco.]]

===Religious societies and festivals===
Religious festivals, patron saints, and traditional holidays mark the Azorean calendar. The most important religious events are tied with the festivals associated with the [[cult of the Holy Spirit]], commonly referred to as the festivals of the Holy Spirit (or {{Lang|pt|Espírito Santo}}), rooted in [[Millenarianism|millenarian]] dogma and held on all islands from May to September. These festivals are very important to the Azorean people, who are primarily Roman Catholic, and combine religious rituals with processions celebrating the benevolence and egalitarianism of neighbours. These events are centred around {{lang|pt|treatros}} or {{lang|pt|impérios}}, small buildings that host the meals, adoration and charity of the participants, and used to store the artefacts associated with the events. On Terceira, for example, these impérios have grown into ornate buildings painted and cared for by the local brotherhoods in their respective parishes. The events focus on the members of local parishes, not tourists, but all are welcome, as sharing is one of the main principles of the festivals. Some limited events focus on tourists, including a public event that the city government of Ponta Delgada holds, which attracts visitors and locals.
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=250
| image1 = Imperio esp santo inocentes guarita (cropped).jpg 
| image2 = Império do Espírito Santo da Serreta - Ilha Terceira - Portugal (16509600071).jpg 
| image3 = Império do Espírito Santo - Porto Martins.jpg 
| image4 = Império do Espírito Santo - Quatro Ribeiras.jpg 
| footer = {{Lang|pt|[[Cult of the Holy Spirit#Impérios|Impérios]]}} of the [[Cult of the Holy Spirit]] are found throughout the Azores.
}}
[[File:SMG PDL 20090517 SaoJose FestaSSCristo03.JPG|thumb|left|Procession of the [[Cult of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres|Cult of the Holy Lord Christ of the Miracles]]]]
The Festival of [[Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres|Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles]] ({{Lang|pt|Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres}}) in Ponta Delgada is the largest individual religious event in the Azores and takes place on [[Rogation days|Rogation Sunday]]. Pilgrims from within the Portuguese diaspora normally travel to Ponta Delgada to participate in an afternoon procession behind the image of Christ along the flower-decorated streets of the city. Although the solemn procession is only held on one day, the events of the Festival of Senhor Santo Cristo occur over a period of a week and involve a ritual of moving the image between the main church and convent nightly, ultimately culminating in the procession, which is televised within the Azores and to the Portuguese diaspora.

The Sanjoaninas Festivities in Angra do Heroísmo are held in June honoring [[Anthony of Padua|Saint Anthony]], [[Saint Peter]] and [[John the Baptist|Saint John the Baptist]], in a large religious celebration. The festival of [[Our Lady of Lourdes]] ({{Lang|pt|Nossa Senhora de Lourdes}}), [[patron saint]] of whalers, begins in Lajes on Pico Island on the last Sunday of August and runs through the week—Whalers Week. It is marked by social and cultural events connected to the tradition of [[whaling|whale hunting]]. The Wine [[Harvest festival|Harvest Festival]] ({{Lang|pt|Festa das Vindimas}}), takes place during the first week of September and is a century-old custom of the people of Pico.

On Corvo, the people celebrate their patron saint {{Lang|pt|Nossa Senhora dos Milagres}} (Our Lady of Miracles) on 15 August every year in addition to the festivals of the Divine Holy Spirit. The {{Lang|pt|Festival da Maré de Agosto}} (August Sea Festival), takes place every year beginning on 15 August in Praia Formosa on Santa Maria. Also, the {{Lang|pt|Semana do Mar}} (Sea Week), dedicated almost exclusively to [[watersport|water sports]], takes place in August in Horta. {{Lang|pt|[[Carnival|Carnaval]]}} is celebrated in the Azores. Parades and pageants are the heart of the Carnaval festivities. There is lively music, colorful costumes, hand-made masks, and floats. The traditional bullfights in the bullring are ongoing as is the running of bulls in the streets.

===International visitors===
During the 18th and 19th&nbsp;centuries, Graciosa was host to many prominent figures, including
*[[François-René de Chateaubriand|Chateaubriand]], the French writer who passed through upon his escape to America during the [[French Revolution]]
*[[Almeida Garrett]], the Portuguese poet who visited an uncle and wrote some poetry while there
*[[Albert I, Prince of Monaco|Prince Albert of Monaco]], the 19th&nbsp;century oceanographer who led several expeditions in the waters of the Azores. He arrived on his yacht ''Hirondelle'', and visited the ''furna da caldeira'', the noted hot springs grotto.
*author [[Mark Twain]] published ''[[The Innocents Abroad]]'' in 1869 – a travel book, where he described his time in the Azores.

=== Sport ===
Notable sports teams include [[C.D. Santa Clara|Santa Clara]] ([[Primeira Liga]]), [[S.C. Lusitânia (basketball)|Lusitânia]] ([[Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol]]), [[Associação de Jovens da Fonte do Bastardo|Fonte do Bastardo]] ([[Portuguese Volleyball First Division]]) and [[Sporting Clube da Horta (handball)|Sporting Clube da Horta]] ([[Portuguese Handball Second Division]]). The [[Rallye Açores]] is an international rally race held annually since 1965, which was part of the [[European Rally Championship]] and the [[Intercontinental Rally Challenge]]. The [[Azores Senior Open]] was a golf tournament held in 2008 as part of the [[European Seniors Tour]].{{Clear}}

==See also==
{{portal|Islands|Portugal}}
*[[Postage stamps and postal history of the Azores]]
*[[List of islands of Portugal]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist|30em}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |last=Costa |first=Antonieta |title=Pelo sinal do Espírito Santo By the sign of the Holy Spirit |year=2007 |publisher=Presidência do Governo Reginal dos Açores. Direcção Regional da Cultural |location=Angra do Heroísmo |pages=120p |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |first=Mark |last=Twain |author-link=Mark Twain |title=The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims Progress |publisher=American Publishing Co |year=1869 |location=Hartford, CT |oclc=1047562 |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olh5QgAACAAJ |last=Dervenn |first=Claude |translator-last=Bryans |translator-first=Robin |year=1956 |title=The Azores : with 104 photographs in photogravure and a map |location=London |publisher=George G. Harrap and Co. |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ph60AAAAIAAJ |last=Dervenn |first=Claude |translator-last=Hogarth-Gaute |translator-first=Frances |year=1957 |title=Madeira |location=London |publisher=George G. Harrap and Co. |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last=Lourenço |first=N. |year=1998 |title=Morpho-tectonic analysis of the Azores Volcanic Plateau from a new bathymetric compilation of the area |publisher=Marine Geophysical Researches |volume=20 |pages=141–156 |author2=Miranda, J.M. |author3=Luis, J.F. |author4=Ribeiros, A. |author5=Mendes Victor, L.A. |author6=Madeira, J. |author7=H. Needham |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last=Luís |first=J.F. |year=1994 |title=The Azores triple junction evolution since 10 Ma from an aeromagnetic survey of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge |publisher=Earth and Planetary Science Letters |volume=125 |pages=439–459 |author2=Miranda, J.M. |author3=Galdeano, A. |author4=Patriat, P. |author5=Rossignol, J.C. and L.A. Mendes Victor |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last=Madeira |first=J. |year=1998 |title=Estudos de neotectónica nas ilhas do Faial, Pico e S. Jorge: uma contribuição para o conhecimento geodinâmico da junção tripla dos Açores |language=pt |trans-title=Neotectonic studies on the islands of Faial, Pico and S. Jorge: a contribution to the geodynamic knowledge in the triple junction of the Açores |publisher=Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa |location=Lisbon |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last=Ridley |first=W. |year=1974 |title=The ocean basins and margins |editor=E. Nairn |editor2=F. Stehli |publisher=Plenum Press |location=New York |chapter=The oceanic islands: Azores |pages=445–478 |author2=Watkins, N. and D.Macfarlane |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |title=Upper mantle structure beneath the Azores hotspot from finite-frequency seismic tomography |publisher=Earth and Planetary Science Letters |year=2006 |volume=260 |pages=11–26 |author8=Ting Yang, Yang Shen, Suzan van der Lee, Sean C. Solomon and Shu-Huei Hung |ref=none}}
*{{cite book |last=Needham |first=H |year=1974 |title=Some characteristics of the rift valley in the Atlantic Ocean near 36o48' north |publisher=Earth Planetary Science Letters |volume=22 |pages=29–43 |author2=J. Francheteau |ref=none}}
*{{cite journal |first=António de Brum |last=Ferreira |title=Geodinâmica e perigosidade natural nas ilhas dos Açores |trans-title=Geodynamics and Natural Risks on the Islands of the Azores |journal=Finisterra |volume=XL |issue=79 |year=2005 |pages=013–120 |language=pt |url=http://revistas.rcaap.pt/finisterra/article/view/1494 |ref=none}}
*{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02181.x |first1=Mark |last2=Schaefer |last1=Carine |first2=Hanno |title=The Azores diversity enigma: why are there so few Azorean endemic flowering plants and why are they so widespread? |journal=Journal of Biogeography |volume=37 |issue=1 |year=2010 |pages=77–89 |bibcode=2010JBiog..37...77C |s2cid=85947772 |ref=none}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt |title=Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos: Observatório Vulcanológica e Sismológico da Universidade dos Açores |publisher=Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos (CVARG) |year=2010 |access-date=15 April 2010 |ref=none }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{cite web |url=http://e-terra.geopor.pt/artigos/cong_geoq/machado.pdf |last=Machado |first=Adriane |author2=Azevedo, José M. M. |author3=Alemeida, Delia P.M. |author4=Farid Chemale Jr. |title=Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks from Faial Island (Azores) |publisher=e-Terra, GEOTIC – Sociedade Geológica de Portugal |location=Lisbon |volume=5, 1 |year=2008 |pages=1–14 |access-date=17 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511135248/http://e-terra.geopor.pt/artigos/cong_geoq/machado.pdf|archive-date=11 May 2011 |url-status=dead |ref=none}}
*{{cite journal |url=http://www.ceg.ul.pt/finisterra/numeros/1980-30/30_02.pdf |pages=201–219 |title=Some geomorphological aspects of the Azores Archipelago |author=R.C. Mitchell-Thomé |journal=Finistrerra: Revista Portuguesa de Geografia |volume=XV |year=1980 |issue=30 |ref=none |access-date=24 February 2011 |archive-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515190908/http://www.ceg.ul.pt/finisterra/numeros/1980-30/30_02.pdf |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |last=Scammell |first=G. V. |title=The First Imperial Age |year=1989 |publisher=Unwin Hyman |location=London |pages=51–70 |ref=none}}

==External links==
*{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Azores|short=x}}
*[http://www.azores.gov.pt Azores Regional Government] {{in lang|pt}}
*{{wikiatlas|the Azores}}

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