The nine Azorean Islands extend for more than 600 km, and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. The vast extension of the islands defines an immense exclusive economic zone of 1.1 million km². The westernmost point of this area is 3,380 km from the North American continent. All of the islands have volcanic origins, though Santa Maria also has some reef contribution. The mountain of Pico on Pico Island, at 2,351 m in altitude, is the highest in all of Portugal. The Azores are actually the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean. The archipelago forms the Autonomous Region of Azores.
Though it is commonly said that the archipelago is named after the goshawk (Açor in Portuguese), because it was supposed to be a common bird at the time of the discovery, it actually never existed on the islands. Some historians indicate the archaic Portuguese word "azures" (the plural of blue) because of the color of the islands when seen from afar. Most, however, insist that the name is derived from birds, pointing to a local subspecies of the buzzard (Buteo buteo), as the animal the first explorers erroneously identified as goshawks.
US rejects 'false' Russia claim Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:02:21 -0000 The US dismisses accusations by Russia that it helped provoke the conflict in Georgia for domestic political reasons. Italy police probe monastery raid Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:16:08 -0000 Police probe a hooded gang's brutal attack on friars at a monastery in northern Italy, which left one victim in a coma. 'PM terror threat' three charged Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:34:27 -0000 Three men held over an alleged threat to kill UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown are charged with terror offences.
NYT > Europe
Putin Suggests U.S. Provocation in Georgia Clash Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:58:34 -0000 Russia’s prime minister said he thought the U.S. might have helped “stir up” the conflict to benefit one of the presidential candidates.
An Embattled Enclave Yearns to Be Free (and Liechtenstein) Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:07:54 -0000 Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations has filled people in the region with hope that other countries will follow.
Russia Deal May Fall, a Casualty of Conflict Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:24:19 -0000 The imminent collapse of a nuclear deal between the United States and Russia represents the most tangible casualty so far of deteriorating relations with Russia.
L.A. Times - Europe
Spanish town blushes with annual tomato fight Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Spanish revelers have pelted each with 113 tons of ripe tomatoes in an annual food fight.
Putin suggests U.S. may have provoked Georgia conflict Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Russian prime minister's assertions are dismissed by Washington as both nations' diplomats trade barbs at the U.N. China and other Central Asian nations criticize Moscow's action in Georgia.
The United States and Russia on Thursday traded some of their sharpest words over the conflict in Georgia, including a suggestion by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that Washington provoked the fighting to sway the outcome of the U.S. presidential race.
'I Served the King of England' Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Also reviewed: "Beautiful Losers," "Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!"
The age-old question "What is art?" is again considered in the colorful and spirited documentary "Beautiful Losers," an absorbing look at how a circle of dispossessed young artists from the 1990s eventually found its way to mainstream success.
UN News Centre - Europe
Tensions remain high in Georgia, Security Council hears Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The overall situation in and around Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia remains tense, senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today during a meeting on the latest developments in the Caucasus country. In Zaragoza, UN spotlights use of nuclear technology to protect water resources Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The United Nations agency tasked with promoting safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies will be showcasing its efforts to protect the world's water resources at a major exhibition currently being held in the Spanish city of Zaragoza. Former staffer at UN's Balkans war crimes tribunal facing contempt charges Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500 A former prosecution spokesperson at the United Nations war crimes tribunal set up to deal with the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s was today charged with contempt of court for allegedly disclosing confidential information relating to the case of Slobodan Miloević.
Europe - International Herald Tribune
Putin suggests U.S. role in Georgia clash By CLIFFORD J. LEVY Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:05:03 -0000 Russia's prime minister said he thought the U.S. might have helped "stir up" the conflict to benefit one of the presidential candidates. Security group refuses to back Russia's actions By David L. Stern Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:23:23 -0000 Members of a regional security group offered little support for Moscow's military action in Georgia. An embattled enclave yearns to be free (and Liechtenstein) By Ellen Barry Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:37:51 -0000 Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent nations has filled people in the region with hope that other countries will follow. Russia deal may fall, a casualty of conflict By PETER BAKER Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:05:03 -0000 The imminent collapse of a nuclear deal between the United States and Russia represents the most tangible casualty so far of deteriorating relations with Russia. A hard habit to break, even with gas at $10 a gallon By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:05:03 -0000 Transportation experts say that many Europeans, out of necessity, habit or love, have proved surprisingly willing to bear the extra cost of driving. Yuri Nosenko, KGB defector, said to be dead in U.S. By DAVID STOUT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:05:03 -0000 Yuri Nosenko, a former Soviet agent who was at the center of some of the most dramatic espionage episodes of the Cold War, has died under an assumed name, somewhere in the southern United States, a senior American intelligence official said.
Azores - Mario Dacosta gives brief descriptions and photographs for each island.
Meta Description: [ This page contains plenty of photos and interesting stories and poems about the Azores. Also includes some related links. ]
Azores - The official Azores tourism site offers maps, history, geography and information on climate, travel, sporting holidays, museums and culture. Photographs and descriptions of each island.
Meta Description: [ The Azores Tourism web site ]
Azores Express - Connects the Azores and New England with year-round flights from Boston, with connecting flights to Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira. Azores guide, fares and flight times.
Meta Description: [ Azores Express (part of the SATA Group) connects the beautiful islands of the Azores and New England with year-round flights from Boston, with connecting flights to Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira. Azores Express has direct summer travel to Lisbon from Boston, as well flights from Providence, Rhode Is... ]
Azores Walking Vacations - Offers guided walking tours and activity holidays on the islands of Flores and Corvo. Accommodations and tour details.
Meta Description: [ Walk scenic footpaths of Portugal & Europe's best kept secret- Azores. Small group guided adventures Kayaking fishing scuba painting language cooking ]
Beautiful Azores - Jørn Rosenkilde gives many pictures and some information on each island, accessed via clickable map.
Blandy Açores - Travel agency offering deals in hotels, tours, whale watching and personalized holiday programs. Includes maps, history and geography of all the islands.
Meta Description: [ madeiraguide.com - travel and tourism information on Madeira Island, Portugal. Blandy travel is a leading Madeiran agency with unparalleled experience in travel and tourism on the islands. ]
Casa do Pombal - Offers accommodation in an 18th-century house 4 km from the center of Angra do Heroismo on Ilha Terceira. Photographs and details.
Meta Description: [ FW MX GoLive HTML ]
RRTur - Offers hotel reservation and travel packages: dolphin and whale watching, coach tours, scuba diving, golfing, transfers, and rent-a-car.
Meta Description: [ Beanfield Technologies Inc. has been servicing the communications needs of downtown Toronto since 1988. We are a privately held, Canadian-owned company with a neighbourhood focus and a passion for customer service. Beanfield Technologies owns and operates its own fibre optic network throughout Li... ]
The Azores - Juergen Keil describes his trip to Faial, Flores, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel and Terceira in 1999. 32 photographs. Some travel advice is included.
Meta Description: [ My experiences travelling on the Azores ]
The Azores Islands - José von Bernstorff gives more than 500 pictures and detailed information on every island.
Meta Description: [ Page about the Azores (acores) islands with more than 100 pictures and informations from Pico,Faial,Flores,Corvo,Terceira Graciosa,S. miguel,Santa Maria made by José von Bernstorff at Denmark ]
/www.destinazores.com/pt/index.php ...Azores Açores São Miguel Ilha Island Portugal Travel Férias Nature Natureza Hiking ...