The Azores Geopark ( pt, Geoparque Açores) is a network of 121 geographically-dispersed sites of geographic heritage and marine areas that covers the nine volcanic islands of the archipelago of the
Azores
)
, motto =( en, "Rather die free than subjected in peace")
, anthem= ( en, "Anthem of the Azores")
, image_map=Locator_map_of_Azores_in_EU.svg
, map_alt=Location of the Azores within the European Union
, map_caption=Location of the Azores wi ...
. This network is managed by the Azores Geopark Association, a non-profit association, with its headquarters in
Horta on the island of Faial, established 19 May 2010. It is part of the
European Geoparks Network
The European Geoparks Network (EGN) functions as the regional organization of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) and the UNESCO International Geosciences and Geoparks Programme (UNESCO-IGGP). Its main objective is to ensure cooperation between geop ...
and the
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
Global Geoparks Network
UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) are geoparks certified by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council as meeting all the requirements for belonging to the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The GGN is both a network of geoparks and the agency of the United Nati ...
. The Association's mission is to ensure the geological conservation, environmental education and sustainable development, while promoting the well-being of the population and a respect for the environment.
Geopark
The term is used to define a well-defined territory and boundary, whose existence is based on an exceptional geological heritage and a strategy that promotes the well-being of the population while maintaining a respect for the environment.
Consequently, the Geopark includes a number of significant sites of geological interest, based on their unique or rare characteristics or which have a scientific, cultural, economic (tourist), scenic or aesthetic relevance.
[ Similarly, if its ecology, history or cultural value, along with its thematic or comparable infrastructures can be interconnected in a network, by trails or routes.][
Due to its nature, the geopark concept is based on several objectives:
* Conservation and preservation of geosites of particular importance, exploring and developing methods for geo-conservation, in order to protect the geological patrimony for future generations;][
* Environmental education to promote public consciousness of the important geological heritage and its contribution to the surrounding environment; and to support scientific research and dissemination, as well as encouraging a dialogue between geoscientists and local communities;][
* Stimulate economic activity and sustainable development, through the promotion of nature and rural tourism (Geotourism) for the socio-economic development of the local populations; and to develop an appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage, towards revitalizing traditional activities and products of excellence and quality.][
]
Geography
Situated west of continental Portugal
Continental Portugal ( pt, Portugal continental, ) or mainland Portugal comprises the bulk of the Portuguese Republic, namely that part on the Iberian Peninsula and so in Continental Europe, having approximately 95% of the total population and ...
, about northwest of Madeira
)
, anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira")
, song_type = Regional anthem
, image_map=EU-Portugal_with_Madeira_circled.svg
, map_alt=Location of Madeira
, map_caption=Location of Madeira
, subdivision_type=Sovereign st ...
and approximately southeast of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador (; french: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador; frequently abbreviated as NL) is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region ...
, the Azores Geopark includes several geologically-significant sites throughout all nine islands and maritime seafloor of the Azores. There are 121 geosites in the nine islands, most of them with international or national relevance. The Geopark extends across an area of , including of marine territory. Among these geosites, 57 were considered priority locations for the application of geoconservation strategies or for appreciation programs.[
The archipelago of the Azores includes a rich and vast geodiversity, and an important geological heritage, comprising various locales of interest to the scientific and learning communities, in addition to its socio-economic importance to tourism.][ Due to it being an archipelago, the Azores Geopark is disperse: guaranteeing a representative geodiversity that characterizes the Azorean territory; manifesting in a history based on geological and active volcanism; with conservation strategies that are common; and based on a decentralized management structure with supports in all islands.][
Characteristic of the Azorean geological history is a range of diverse features that includes (but is not limited to) volcanoes, calderas, lakes, lava fields, fumaroles, hot springs and thermal waters, volcanic caves, ''fajãs'', fault scarps and marine fossil deposits.][ Beyond this heritage, there are other values of reference in the archipelago, such as its rich biodiversity, architecture, culture and ethnography.][
]
Corvo
* COR 1 Caldeirão
* COR 2 Lava fajã of Vila do Corvo
* COR 3 Ponta do Marco
Flores
* FLO 1 Caldeira Negra, Caldeira Comprida, Caldeira Seca and Caldeira Branca
* FLO 2 Caldeira Funda and Caldeira Rasa
* FLO 3 Fajã Grande and Fajãzinha
* FLO 4 Pico da Sé
* FLO 5 Ponta da Rocha Alta and Fajã de Lopo Vaz
* FLO 6 Rocha dos Bordões
Faial
* FAI 1 Caldera
A caldera ( ) is a large cauldron-like hollow that forms shortly after the emptying of a magma chamber in a volcano eruption. When large volumes of magma are erupted over a short time, structural support for the rock above the magma chamber is ...
* FAI 2 Pedro Miguel Graben
* FAI 3 Monte da Guia
* FAI 4 Morro do Castelo Branco
* FAI 5 Capelo Peninsula
* FAI 6 Capelinhos
The Capelinhos (from Capelo + ''-inhos'' diminutive, which literally means "little cape") is a monogenetic volcano located on the western coast of Faial Island in the Azores. It is part of the larger volcanic complex of Capelo, which includes 20 sc ...
e Costado da Nau
Pico
* PIC 1 Fossil arriba of Santo António
* PIC 2 Lava fajã of Lajes do Pico
* PIC 3 Gruta das Torres
* PIC 4 Madalena Islets
The Madalena Islets ( pt, Ilhéus da Madalena) are two uninhabited islets located in the Faial-Pico Channel about away from Madalena harbor, off the coast of the island of Pico in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The islets are also vis ...
* PIC 5 Lajido de Santa Luzia
* PIC 6 Mount Pico
Mount Pico ( pt, Montanha do Pico) is a currently quiescent stratovolcano located on Pico Island, in the mid-Atlantic archipelago of the Azores. It is the highest mountain in Portugal, at above sea level, and is one of the highest Atlantic mount ...
* PIC 7 Achada Plateau
The Achada Plateau ( Portuguese: ) is an extensive volcanic mountain range located on Pico Island, Azores. It is a protected area with many valuable features that characterize the Azorean landscape. It is included in two Natura 2000 sites, one of ...
* PIC 8 Ponta da Ilha
São Jorge
* SJO 1 Arribas of Fajã dos Vimes and Fajã de São João
* SJO 2 Central volcanic
* SJO 3 Fajã do Ouvidor and Fajã da Ribeira da Areia
* SJO 4 Fajãs dos Cubres and Fajã da Caldeira do Santo Cristo
* SJO 5 Morro de Velas and Morro de Lemos
Graciosa
* GRA 1 Caldera and Furna do Enxofre
* GRA 2 Caldera Pêro Botelho
* GRA 3 Ponta da Barca and Baleia Islet
* GRA 4 Porto Afonso
* GRA 5 Ponta do Carapacho, Ponta da Restinga and Baixo Islet
Baixo Islet ( pt, Ilhéu de Baixo; ''Lower Islet'' in English), also known locally as ''Ilhéu do Carapacho'' ('' Carapace Islet'') and historically as ''Ilhéu dos Homiziados'' (''Islet of the Fugitives''), is a small uninhabited islet group ...
Terceira
* TER 1 Algar do Carvão
* TER 3 Guilherme Moniz Caldera
* TER 2 Santa Bárbara Caldera and Mistérios Negros
* TER 4 Furnas do Enxofre
* TER 5 Monte Brasil
Monte Brasil is the remnants of a tuff volcano (and peninsula) connecting the south coast of Terceira in the central Azores, overlooking the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Monte Brasil is flanked by two bays: the Bay of Angra (named for the city) to ...
* TER 6 Pico Alto, Biscoito Rachado and Biscoito da Ferraria
* TER 7 Ponta da Serreta and Trachyte lava flows
São Miguel
* SMG 1 Furnas Caldera
* SMG 2 Sete Cidades Caldera
* SMG 3 Fogo Caldera
* SMG 4 Caldeira Velha
* SMG 5 Gruta do Carvão
* SMG 6 Vila Franca Islet
* SMG 7 Lagoas do Congro and Lagoa dos Nenúfares
* SMG 8 Ponta da Ferraria and Pico das Camarinhas
* SMG 9 Serra Devassa
* SMG 10 Vale da Ribeira do Faial da Terra and Fajã do Calhau
Santa Maria
* SMA 1 Barreiro da Faneca
* SMA 2 Pedreira do Campo
* SMA 3 Poço da Pedreira
* SMA 4 Ponta do Castelo
* SMA 5 Ribeira do Maloás
EEZ
* MAR 1 Dom João de Castro Bank
Dom João de Castro Bank ( pt, Banco de D. João de Castro) is a large submarine volcano located in the central north Atlantic Ocean, between the islands of São Miguel and Terceira in the archipelago of the Azores.
History
The first historical ...
* MAR 2 Mid-Atlantic Ridge and hydrothermal vents
Environmental awareness
The Geopark implemented various routes and trails on every island to discover the volcanic landscapes. Moreover, many educational activities are organized throughout the year to increase the environmental awareness.
References
;Notes
External links
Azores Geopark Official Website
European Geoparks Network Official Website
Global Geopark Network Official Website
{{coord missing, Portugal
Parks in the Azores
Geoparks in Portugal