Graciosa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There is also a Graciosa in the Canary Islands, see Graciosa, Canary Islands
| Graciosa | |
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 Grociosa from the air |
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | |
| Archipelago | Azores Islands |
| Area | 60.84 km² |
| Highest point | Caldera 402 m |
| Administration | |
 Portugal |
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| Autonomous Region | Azores Islands |
| Largest city | Santa Cruz da Graciosa (4,777) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 4,777 |
| Density | 79 /km²/km² |
Graciosa Island (pron. IPA: [gɾɐsi'ɔzɐ]), also known as White Island, is the northernmost of the Central Group of the Azores Islands. The island has an area of 60.84 km² in an oval form, with a length of 10 km and a width of 7 km. The entire island is a large stratovolcano which rises from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The southeastern end is dominated by a 1.6 km wide caldera, known as Caldeira.
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[edit] The landscape
The landscape of Graciosa (meaning enchanting) mixes the green of the pastures with the white of the villages and isolated houses. It has fertile fields that produce various fruits, wine, grass fed beef and dairy cattle as well as award winning cheese and other dairy products.
The "formerones" of Graciosa is a rocky formation of great dimensions located near the Vila de Santa Cruz, with a configuration that resembles a whale.
Of volcanic origin, Graciosa Island has a very pronounced relief in the south, where Caldeira peak reaches 402 meters. It has the "Furna do Enxofre" (Sulphur Cavern). This is practically a unique phenomenon in the whole world.
[edit] Municipalities
Graciosa has only one municipality, Santa Cruz da Graciosa with almost 4,780 inhabitants (2001 census).
[edit] The discovery
Graciosa Island was discovered in May 2, 1450 Its first settler was from Montemor-o-Velho and his name was Vasco Gil Sodré. He came from Terceira Island and settled forever on Graciosa with his family. Graciosa has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasia, a church and a square (praça).
[edit] Sporting clubs
The sporting club of the island is football/soccer and is part of the Associação de Futebol de Angra do Heroísmo.
 Ponta da Barca |
 Lighthouse at Ponta da Barca |
 Thermal baths |
 Another lighthouse |
[edit] References
- Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: Graciosa
- Scarth, Alwyn; Tanguy, Jean-Claude (2001). Volcanoes of Europe. Oxford University Press, 243 pp. ISBN 0-19-521754-3.
[edit] External links
- Azores.com, a commercial site but with abundant information on Graciosa
- Street map from Mapquest
- Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver
- (English) The Azores Islands, Site with abundant information about Graciosa Island
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