by Linnea
March 23, 2023
The Azores islands were populated in the 15th century by pioneers from Portugal although small groups of Flemings settled in some of the islands.
Officially, the first islands were discovered in the fifteenth century by Diogo de Silves a Captain at the service of Infante D. Henrique.
Important naval battles were fought in the waters of the Azores in that period, during the attacks by corsairs and pirates.
The genesis of the Azores is found upon 1766 volcanoes, nine of which are still active.
The landscape is filled with dry calderas, craters lakes, fumaroles and thermal water springs.
Underground, almost three hundred volcanic cavities, including caves, ravines and cracks, have been surveyed.
The Azores are a world-class destination for adrenaline seekers and nature lovers
The Azores have more than 60 hiking trails with all the conditions for walking safely.
The Azores’ unique volcanic origins make these islands a thermal paradise with steamy, iron-rich pools tucked away amid lush green vegetation and tropical trees; and even a natural ocean pool heated by a volcanic vent, cooled by the ebbing tides of the Atlantic.
Based on a rich, hearty, peasant-based style of cooking, Azorean cuisine will leave you asking for seconds.
The Portuguese began to settle there in 1439. Later, Flemish settlers came to the islands, as did Italians, Scots, English, Bretons, and some Jewish farmers. The Azores were occupied by Spain from 1580 – 1640 and used as a base for Spanish ships. Long considered a colony of Portugal, the Azores became an autonomous region of Portugal in 1976.