Azores

A·zores

A0561800 (ā′zôrz, ə-zôrz′) also A·ço·res (ä-sôr′ĕsh) A group of volcanic islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean about 1,450 km (900 mi) west of mainland Portugal, of which they are administrative districts. Fishing, farming, and tourism are important to their economy.

A·zor′e·an, A·zor′i·an adj. & n.

Azores

(əˈzɔːz) pl n (Placename) the Azores three groups of volcanic islands in the N Atlantic, since 1976 an autonomous region of Portugal. Capital: Ponta Delgada (on São Miguel). Pop: 241 762 (2001). Area: 2335 sq km (901 sq miles). Portuguese name: Açores

A•zores

(əˈzɔrz, əˈzoʊrz, ˈeɪ zɔrz, ˈeɪ zoʊrz)

n.pl. a group of islands in the N Atlantic, W of Portugal: politically part of Portugal. 253,500; 890 sq. mi. (2305 sq. km). A•zo′re•an, A•zo′ri•an, adj., n.

Thesaurus

Noun

Azores - islands in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal; "the Azores are strategically located on transatlantic air and shipping routes"AcoresPortugal, Portuguese Republic - a republic in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; Portuguese explorers and colonists in the 15th and 16th centuries created a vast overseas empire (including Brazil)

Translations

Азорские острова

Azores

(əzôrz`, ā`zôrz), Port. Açores [Port.,=hawks], islands (1991 pop. 241,592), 905 sq mi (2,344 sq km), and autonomous region of Portugal, in the Atlantic Ocean, c.900 mi (1,448 km) W of mainland Portugal. The nine main islands are São Miguel (the largest) and Santa Maria in the southeast; Terceira, Pico, Faial, São Jorge, and Graciosa in the center; and Flores and Corvo in the northwest. Ponta Delgada is the largest city. The fertile soil yields many crops and supports vineyards. The islands are also a resort area, although there is volcanic activity. The United States maintains a NATO air base in the islands.

The Azores may have been known to the ancients and were included on a map in 1351. Portuguese sailors reached them in 1427 or 1431, but colonization did not begin until 1445 under Diogo de Sevilha or Gonçalo Velho Cabral (who may have been there in 1431). During the colonial period, the Azores were a stopover point for treasure fleets returning from the New World, and many ships were lost there due to hurricanes or pirates. The islands were used as a place of exile and were also the site of naval battles between the English and the Spanish. In the 19th cent. they were used by supporters of Maria II against Dom Miguel. In the 20th cent., there has been a large outmigration to the United States.

Azores

A·zores

Azores

A•zores

Azores

Azores

Azores

Synonyms for Azores

noun islands in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal

Synonyms

Related Words