The Azores - What are they and where are they?

Have you heard of the Azores before? If you have, you have an idea of what they are? I discovered these islands as a teenager, thanks to my father, a native of the islands. I took my first visit there when I was about seventeen years and I have returned many times. So, I am very familiar with the islands. But more than often, when I tell someone that I was on holiday in the Azores, I asked what they are. This prompted meGEM write the islands, so that other undiscovered find one, look what I have.

The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands of volcanic origin. You are in a remote place in the Atlantic Ocean, which was discovered in 1400 and settled by the Portuguese. The islands are a part of Portugal to this day. You can see "Azores" is used instead of the Azores ... Azores is how to spell the name of the Portuguese.

To give you an idea of how this chainof islands is that they are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 1500 km from Lisbon and 3,900 miles off the east coast of North America. The largest of nine islands, Sao Miguel, just 80 miles long and 15 km wide. Corvo is the smallest island, is 6.5 to 4 km and has about 400 inhabitants. So, not only distance, but are rather small.

Because the islands are so remote that they have progressedrather slowly, with the development. This is a good thing if you have a holiday in a natural place that you do not want to do more than other tourists. The islands have a beautiful green countryside, great views of the sea wherever you go, and the night sky full of stars. Of course there is a certain development. They are easy to be a comfortable place to visit to stay on safe roads and driving some nice little town grew.

Speaking of roads ... On most islands, The main roads are paved, but the streets of old towns and cities are made of pebbles. All roads are narrow and often full of twists and turns through the hills and the contours of the mountains on the islands. All expressions do most of the island to another is a record longer than you might expect. For example, although Sao Miguel is only 80 km x 15 km wide, is not appropriate to go all the way around the > Island in one day. it's on it, the better to plan trips in a particular part of the island you want general.

And speaking of development, since Portugal joined the European Union there is more development in the Azores. Were invested in new rides, parks, swimming areas and improvements to roads and ports. From what I see from the development, the goal is comfort to tourists without spoiling the natural wonders make theIslands>.

All in all, the Azores are going to a wonderful place. The next time you find a peaceful holiday with lots of possibilities, in view of the Azores.