Azores
The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal composed of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic, 1.360 km west of Iberia Peninsula, in the European continent, and 1.925 km southeast of Newfoundland in the American continent.
There are nine major Azorean Islands and an islet cluster, divided in three main groups: Flores and Corvo in the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial in the center; and São Miguel, Santa Maria in the east.
The main settlements of the Azorean islands are Horta in Faial, Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória in Terceira and Ponta Delgada in São Miguel. Its main industries are agriculture, dairy farming, fishing, and, in the recent years, the tourism.
There are nine major Azorean Islands and an islet cluster, divided in three main groups: Flores and Corvo in the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial in the center; and São Miguel, Santa Maria in the east.
The main settlements of the Azorean islands are Horta in Faial, Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória in Terceira and Ponta Delgada in São Miguel. Its main industries are agriculture, dairy farming, fishing, and, in the recent years, the tourism.
TERCEIRA ISLAND
Terceira Island is the third larger islands of the archipelago, with an area of approximately 397 km2, and a population of 56,000 inhabitants. It is the location of one of the tree capitals of the archipelago - Angra do Heroísmo - the Azores' oldest city and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Terceira Island is built by three compose volcanoes located over the Terceira rift: the Cinco Picos volcano, with the biggest Azorean caldera, the Guilherme Moniz volcano with fumaroles and the Algar do Carvão cave, and Santa Bárbara surrounded by recent trachytic domes and coulées. Between the volcanoes of Santa Bárbara and Guilherme Moniz there are a swarm of fissural basaltic volcanoes formed about 15,000 years ago.
The historical eruptions in Terceira Islands occurred in 1761 and in 1867 and between 1998 and 2000 from submarine vents off the western coast of the island.
Terceira Island tectonics are highlighted by two great faults in the northeast corner that forms the Lajes Graben, who has been responsible for severe seismic events. On the south coast a surtseian eruption formed the tuff cone of Monte Brasil which protects and shelters the harbor of Angra do Heroísmo.
The first settlers of Terceira Island became from different Portuguese regions and from Flanders.
The commercial port of Angra played an important role in the Portuguese Asian, African and South American trade in the 15th Century and in the 16th Century, during the Iberian Union, with the trans-Atlantic shipping.
During the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580, the residents of Terceira, who mostly settled in Porto Judeu and Praia da Vitória resist against Phillip II and the union of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns.
In 1766, the reorganization of system of Captaincies was undertaken, resulting in one Captain-General, with his seat in Angra do Heroísmo for the Azores. In 1828 the people from Terceira embraced the cause of constitutionalism and Angra was the Portuguese capital supporting the government of the King Pedro IV.
The Terceira Island is built by three compose volcanoes located over the Terceira rift: the Cinco Picos volcano, with the biggest Azorean caldera, the Guilherme Moniz volcano with fumaroles and the Algar do Carvão cave, and Santa Bárbara surrounded by recent trachytic domes and coulées. Between the volcanoes of Santa Bárbara and Guilherme Moniz there are a swarm of fissural basaltic volcanoes formed about 15,000 years ago.
The historical eruptions in Terceira Islands occurred in 1761 and in 1867 and between 1998 and 2000 from submarine vents off the western coast of the island.
Terceira Island tectonics are highlighted by two great faults in the northeast corner that forms the Lajes Graben, who has been responsible for severe seismic events. On the south coast a surtseian eruption formed the tuff cone of Monte Brasil which protects and shelters the harbor of Angra do Heroísmo.
The first settlers of Terceira Island became from different Portuguese regions and from Flanders.
The commercial port of Angra played an important role in the Portuguese Asian, African and South American trade in the 15th Century and in the 16th Century, during the Iberian Union, with the trans-Atlantic shipping.
During the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580, the residents of Terceira, who mostly settled in Porto Judeu and Praia da Vitória resist against Phillip II and the union of the Portuguese and Spanish crowns.
In 1766, the reorganization of system of Captaincies was undertaken, resulting in one Captain-General, with his seat in Angra do Heroísmo for the Azores. In 1828 the people from Terceira embraced the cause of constitutionalism and Angra was the Portuguese capital supporting the government of the King Pedro IV.
HOW TO ACCESS
The most usual way to get to Terceira is by air. There are daily connections to and from Lisbon. The duration of the trip is approximately 2.30H. There are links to the US and Canada. Daily, Sata-Air Açores makes connections with all the islands (40 minutes from S. Miguel and Faial).
From May to October, you can also use sea passenger transport.
From May to October, you can also use sea passenger transport.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
On September 4, Monday, the transport will be ensured to the congressmen staying in Praia da Vitória to Angra do Heroísmo.
University of the Azores - Angra do Heroísmo Campus (Sep. 4th):
University of the Azores - Angra do Heroísmo Campus (Sep. 4th):
On September 6, 2017, Wednesday, transportation will be ensured between Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória.
Cultural Center of Praia da Vitória (Sep. 6th):
Cultural Center of Praia da Vitória (Sep. 6th):
ACCOMMODATION
Choose your accommodation:
The local accommodation company is the Check in Azores:
Contacts: [email protected] | tel. +351 926069660
Others:
The local accommodation company is the Check in Azores:
Contacts: [email protected] | tel. +351 926069660
Others:
TRANSPORT
To get around on Terceira Island, you can choose to rent a car, get around by taxi, or public transportation buses that connect all the island's villages.
TYPICAL FOOD
You must enjoy the wonderful meat, the fresh fish and the seafood of the Azores Islands.
The soup and the alcatra used in the celebrations of the Holy Spirit, the biggest festivities in the islands, are one of the most popular traditional meals with meat.
The cheeses, made with milk produced by our happy cows, that feed on the Terceira fresh meadows and breathing the Azorean pure air, are of excellent quality.
The "Biscoitos" wines are famous, especially the verdelho appetizer, as well as good table wines, "angelica", liqueurs and brandys, satisfy the most demanding lovers.
The Donas Amélias, the covilhetes and the massa sovada, are delicacies sweets of the island.
The soup and the alcatra used in the celebrations of the Holy Spirit, the biggest festivities in the islands, are one of the most popular traditional meals with meat.
The cheeses, made with milk produced by our happy cows, that feed on the Terceira fresh meadows and breathing the Azorean pure air, are of excellent quality.
The "Biscoitos" wines are famous, especially the verdelho appetizer, as well as good table wines, "angelica", liqueurs and brandys, satisfy the most demanding lovers.
The Donas Amélias, the covilhetes and the massa sovada, are delicacies sweets of the island.
WHAT TO SEE
Algar do Carvão volcano, with its impressive chimney, curious siliceous precipitates and clear waters in an interior pool, part of the Cabrito perched groundwater’s system.
Angra do Heroísmo’s historical center classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO, Alto da Memória point view and natural park of Monte Brasil.
Biscoitos natural lava pools, the most famous summer destination of the island, formed by the penetration of a basaltic lava flow in the ocean and sculpted by the marine erosion.
Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, to see an important groundwater recharge area of the Island, a basaltic lava field with 2000 years old and the imposing south scarps of the caldera.
Furnas do Enxofre, with interesting sulphate type fumaroles and magnificent views to the swarm of faults, volcanic cones and domes of the eastern slope of Santa Barbara volcano.
Pico Alto tour with interesting forests of endemic vegetation, coalescent trachytic coulées and domes and lot of swamps and pits with sphagnum vegetation.
Pico Matias Simão a half part of a coastal volcanic cone, with excellent views to Altares and Biscoitos villages, culture lands and to the sea with Graciosa Island in the horizon.
Ponta do Raminho viewpoint, 100 m above sea level, with magnificent views over the northwest coast and for the submarine volcano of 1867, just visible during the sea storms;
Ponta da Serreta, with its huge cliffs marked by basaltic and trachytic lava flows and by the infinite ocean with the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico in the horizon;
Praia da Vitória with an excellent sandy beach, the interesting natural park of Paul, beautiful churches and privileged views of Pico do Facho.
Quatro Ribeiras, a typical rural Village with its old church, the beautiful Holy Spirit império, a peculiar lava pool in the coast, spectacular viewpoints and lots of springs.
São Sebastião is a historical parish characterized by its old church with interesting frescos, chapels, a peculiar Holy Spirit Império and beautiful water fountains in Largo da Fonte.
Serra da Ribeirinha with its notable views to the south coast of Terceira Island, Angra do Heroísmo, Ribeirinha Village and Cabras Islets.
Serra de Santa Barbara with laurissilva forests and excellent views to the southwest coast of the island, Santa Bárbara Village and the double caldera of the Santa Bárbara volcano.
Serra do Cume, to see the most beautiful views of the Terceira Island - the impressive caldera of Cinco Picos - and the Lajes graben with its famous active faults.
Southeast coast with views to the islets of Cabras and Fradinhos, the beautiful coloured cliffs in Costa das Contendas and lava pools in Porto Judeu, Salgueiros and Porto Martins.
Wine Museum to know the history of the Terceira Island lava vineyards, the Verdelho wine and the ethnography of Biscoitos region.
Gruta do Natal, an interesting lava tube system, with 697 metres, located above the small Lagoa do Negro with lateral lava flow protuberances and some silica stalactites.
Trails
Baías da Agualva with its impressive trachytic promontories, marked by huge cliffs related to the penetration of potent coulées in the ocean.
Mistérios Negros to see interesting trachytic domes probably extruded in the 1761 eruption and the peculiar Pico Gaspar volcanic cone, in an area of endemic vegetation.
Bathing areas
Silveira, Negrito, Porto Martins, Biscoitos, Quatro Ribeiras, Refugo, Salgueiros, Vila Nova and Praia da Vitória. You can take sea bath in the Atlantic clear waters, and, in September, with excepcional temperatures.
Angra do Heroísmo’s historical center classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO, Alto da Memória point view and natural park of Monte Brasil.
Biscoitos natural lava pools, the most famous summer destination of the island, formed by the penetration of a basaltic lava flow in the ocean and sculpted by the marine erosion.
Caldeira Guilherme Moniz, to see an important groundwater recharge area of the Island, a basaltic lava field with 2000 years old and the imposing south scarps of the caldera.
Furnas do Enxofre, with interesting sulphate type fumaroles and magnificent views to the swarm of faults, volcanic cones and domes of the eastern slope of Santa Barbara volcano.
Pico Alto tour with interesting forests of endemic vegetation, coalescent trachytic coulées and domes and lot of swamps and pits with sphagnum vegetation.
Pico Matias Simão a half part of a coastal volcanic cone, with excellent views to Altares and Biscoitos villages, culture lands and to the sea with Graciosa Island in the horizon.
Ponta do Raminho viewpoint, 100 m above sea level, with magnificent views over the northwest coast and for the submarine volcano of 1867, just visible during the sea storms;
Ponta da Serreta, with its huge cliffs marked by basaltic and trachytic lava flows and by the infinite ocean with the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge and Pico in the horizon;
Praia da Vitória with an excellent sandy beach, the interesting natural park of Paul, beautiful churches and privileged views of Pico do Facho.
Quatro Ribeiras, a typical rural Village with its old church, the beautiful Holy Spirit império, a peculiar lava pool in the coast, spectacular viewpoints and lots of springs.
São Sebastião is a historical parish characterized by its old church with interesting frescos, chapels, a peculiar Holy Spirit Império and beautiful water fountains in Largo da Fonte.
Serra da Ribeirinha with its notable views to the south coast of Terceira Island, Angra do Heroísmo, Ribeirinha Village and Cabras Islets.
Serra de Santa Barbara with laurissilva forests and excellent views to the southwest coast of the island, Santa Bárbara Village and the double caldera of the Santa Bárbara volcano.
Serra do Cume, to see the most beautiful views of the Terceira Island - the impressive caldera of Cinco Picos - and the Lajes graben with its famous active faults.
Southeast coast with views to the islets of Cabras and Fradinhos, the beautiful coloured cliffs in Costa das Contendas and lava pools in Porto Judeu, Salgueiros and Porto Martins.
Wine Museum to know the history of the Terceira Island lava vineyards, the Verdelho wine and the ethnography of Biscoitos region.
Gruta do Natal, an interesting lava tube system, with 697 metres, located above the small Lagoa do Negro with lateral lava flow protuberances and some silica stalactites.
Trails
Baías da Agualva with its impressive trachytic promontories, marked by huge cliffs related to the penetration of potent coulées in the ocean.
Mistérios Negros to see interesting trachytic domes probably extruded in the 1761 eruption and the peculiar Pico Gaspar volcanic cone, in an area of endemic vegetation.
Bathing areas
Silveira, Negrito, Porto Martins, Biscoitos, Quatro Ribeiras, Refugo, Salgueiros, Vila Nova and Praia da Vitória. You can take sea bath in the Atlantic clear waters, and, in September, with excepcional temperatures.