The Azores: An introduction to the islands.

Set in the Atlantic Ocean, midway between North America and Europe, nine Portuguese islands make up the Azores archipelago with a volcanic connection that makes them among the most beautiful in the world. Discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators on their way to the new world they are still relatively unspoiled. We visit San Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico where our explorations reveal the beauty of the islands’ wild flowers, farmlands enclosed by stone hedges and hydrangeas, and a variety of volcanoes from young cones to collapsed craters and old chimneys. The exquisite baroque and colonial architecture of churches, town halls and city squares reflects a golden age of history when the islands were a vital link in important trading routes that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. For more information check out episode #61 in the International category and also see our in-depth features on the individual islands.