Where are the Azorean Islands?
There are three parts (Grupo Oriental, Grupo Central, Grupo Ocidental) in the North Atlantic 36°43’ to 39°56’ N and 24°46’ to 31°16’ W with total  2'334 km2 (= approx. 2.5% of Portugal)

Population
The Azorean islands have about 240'000 habitants spread over the 9 islands, the biggest population is living on São Miguel with approx. 65'000 people living in the capital city Ponta Delgada whereas on Santa Maria approx. 6000 habitants are living. Most of them are catholics.

Historical details: descovering and settlement
The exact date of descovery is not quite clear but on behalf of the notes on the Genues seamaps in the 14th century it is believed that the islands were known around 1317 and 1339. On the other hand, believed Damião Peres that Diogo de Silves discovered the archipel in 1427. Anyway, the settlement of São Miguel and Santa Maria seemed to be started around 1439. In history, the Azorean islands where important during the descovery and defendence of the african colonies. The islands where used as hub for the expeditions to Asia and America. During ocupation of Portugal through Spain between 1580 and 1640 the Azorean islands were the last bastion of resistence. During World War I and II the archipel was a important base of the allied forces and center of communication as well.

Politics
After the revolution on 25th of April 1974 in Portugal, the portugese constitution gave the Azorean islands the right of a autonom governement with a legal parliament and a own government. The main city is Ponta Delgada.

Landscape
The nine islands hold many visual attractions, from the highest mountain (vulcano Pico) to calm slopes and steep costal areas. Here the calm plaines and next to it a hugh extinct vulcano with his mystic blue/green lake in the crater then a beautiful waterfall surrounded with lushy green plants. All but one island (Santa Maria) are originated of vulcanic activities. Santa Maria island is the only that offers you some beautiful white sand beaches. The vulcanic activities are not yet finished, these are proving several fumaroles and mofettas places on São Miguel island. Many coves offer protection to the wooden fishing boats, in front of are rising some bizarr rocks/cliffs out of the sea, home to a wide variety of sea and migratory birds.

Flora
The vegetation on the islands has left 56 endemic plants but over 1200 especies from all over the world which were brought in. Depending on the island you might find/see some of the endemic plants however a lot are only to be found on especial protected areas.  All over the places there are beautiful arrangements of flowers, along the roads you might see hortensiens, lilies and all kind of flowery bushes. Regarding the woods you mainly see cryptomeria forests with some Akazies and common bushes/trees like the pão branco.
recommended literatur: Flora of the Azores

Fauna
There are some birds living on the islands but none of them is endemic. The most birds are migration birds which spend wintertime. Some of the seen birds are the common buzzard (buteo buteo), the serin (serinus serinus), the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), the gray wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), the common blackbird (Turdus merula) and the blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Rarely seen is the priole (Pyrrhula murina), a especie of the bulfinch-family which is living around Pico da Vara in the northeast of São Miguel.
The only endemic mammalian animal is the Azores noctule (Nyctalus azoreum). This bat gets only about 6 cm big and is living on seven islands (except Flores, Corvo).
Rabbits, cats, ferrets and hedhogs are living wild but there aren't any red deers, foxes or badgers living on the islands. Often you may see the “Cão de fila” (azorean cattledog). In the lakes are living a lot of different fishes like trouts, pikes, carps and perches. In the clear waters around the islands are splashing dolphins, whales, different especies of tunas and a lot of other sea dwellers.

Climate
Due to the geographical situation the Azorean islands have a big influence on the European weather. The famous Azores High develops through air masses which are warmed up in the Equator-region, raise and cool down and therefore sink in the latidude like the Azorean islands. The Gulf stream causes a equable maritime climate all year round. In January/February the temperatures moves between 12 - 18 ° C, in August the temperature climbs up to 25 ° C. The relative humidity is usually around 75 - 90 %. It is not rare for winters to be stormy and changeable when deep Atlantic depressions track across or near the islands. On an eventful day you can experience wind and calm, and hot sun and showers in any combination, sometimes even with hail. As for the Azorean people: “You may experience four seasons a day!”

Travel Informations
A valid passport is the only requirement for US citizens. Citizens from the European Community don't need a Visa for entering Portugal.
Passports must be valid for up to six months (depending on your nationality) and are required by all, except by European Union nationals and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Norway and Switzerland holding valid national ID cards. British, Australian, Canadian, American and Japanese need a valid passport.
Visas are required by all for stays of up to 90 days, with the exception of:
- The above mentioned; nationals
- Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Israel, Korea (Rep. of), Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela

Health and Vaccination Information
You will not require any vaccinations to visit Portugal, unless you are coming from an infected area. Make a point of checking with your tour operator or local Portuguese Embassy if in any doubt.

Clothing
Bring a fleece jacket or a sweater with you as well as bathing clothes while leaving for the Azores. During October – April you will need a raincoat as well due to frequent showers. Mid-season clothes are best. For sightseeing and trips we recommend you hiking/trekking shoes.

Holidays
1st January (New Year), Carneval (Tuesday in Carneval), Good Friday, Easter, 25th April (Liberationday), 1st May (Laborday), 16th May (Day of Autonomy), Whitesun/Pentecost, Corpus Christi, 10th June (National Day),
15th August (Assumption Day), 5th October (Proclamation Day), 1st November (All Saints Day), 1st December (Independence Day), 8th December (Day of the Immaculate Conception) and 25th December (Christmas).
Depending on the island there are addional regional holidays like city- and village fairs.

Timedifference
On the islands we are one hour ahead of GMT (+1)
(1 h earlyier than in Lisbon)

Opening hours
stores: Monday-Friday 09.00-13.00, 15.00-18.00 h, Saturday 09.00-13.00 h
supermarket SOL*MAR in Vila do Porto, Santa Maria - daily open from 8.30-20.30 h
bank: Monday-Friday 08.30-15.00 h
offices: Monday-Friday from 09.00-12.00, 13.30-17.00 h

Electricity
The current in the Azorean islands is 220 volt, euro sockets are common (like in Germany/Austria).

Hotels
The first class hotels are like european western standard. On São Miguel and Faial island there are a few of these hotels, on smaller island you will find a lot of small business like pensions, B&B and private rooms which are being run personaly by the owners.

Car rentals
On all islands but Corvo are cars for rent.

Language
The language of the country is Portuguese. The most spoken foreign languages are English, French and some Italian.

Taxi and public transportation
The rates are fair - for longer reaches and roundtrips it is recommended to fix a price before starting. Most of the taxi drivers speak English. Except for Corvo there exist bus services, sometimes little used, depending on the island. But often it is easy to get a ride with hitch hiking.

Ferry transportation
There are two companies offering ferry service. Depending on the season it might be none. Check the details with  Atlantico Line (horário) and Transmaçor.
Rental cars are not allowed to be taken from one to another island.

Flights
There are different airlines to choose, sometimes even with direct flights. For the time being there are TAP, SATA International, AirBerlin - depending from which country you are coming you might change planes in Lisbon, Porto, Frankfurt, London or elsewhere. If you book local flights in the Azores we recommend you to book them ahead of your departure due to the fact that you can save up to 20% of the costs. Don't forget to reconfirm your flights 72 hours ahead your leaving the Azores.

Travel insurance / Cancellation
You should always check this with your service provider were you booked your arrangement.

Currencies/Money Exchange/Creditcards
Landeswährung = Euro
1 Euro = ca. CHF 1.41 (Stand 26.05.2010)
1 US Dollar = Euro 1.22

Most common and widely accepted are VISA, AMERICAN EXPRESS and EUROCARD/ MASTERCARD. Exchanging money is best with a local bank, depending on the bank you might have to pay a service charge of approx. Euro 5.--.

Handicrafts/Souvenirs
On the azorean islands are all kinds of handicrafts available. For example pottery, embroidery and lace, woven blankets, some miniature carvings of situation in the old days.

Tip
Service is included in the restaurants and hotels but nevertheless it is common to give a tip from 5 - 10% depending how you where satisfaid with the service. Your driver, waiter, porter, chambermaid or guide is going to be happy to receive a 1-2 Euro tip per person.

Literature
Flora of the Azores. A Field Guide, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 2002. 264 S. with 380 full-coulor photographs. Margraf Verlag Weikersheim ISBN 3-8236-1368-5 price 25,00 €