An archipelago made up of nine islands of volcanic origin, the Azores are located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean and are distinguished by their spectacular landscapes. Between lush vegetation and surprising geological formations, the islands are a small paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Trekking in the Azores means climbing to the top of volcanoes to enjoy breathtaking views, swimming in natural pools, but also observing the extremely rich fauna and flora. The beauty and strength of this nature have led the authorities to act to preserve and protect this exceptional nature. As a result, the Azores have become a temple of ecotourism, and are even the first archipelago in the world to have obtained international certification as a sustainable destination by an entity accredited by the World Council for Sustainable Tourism.
Incredibly rich landscapes
The origin of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores is linked to the presence of 1,766 volcanoes, 9 of which are still wisely active. There are almost 300 volcanic cavities in the subsoil, in the form of faults, cavities and caves. Underwater geothermal springs are also present in the sea. On the surface, the landscape consists of crater lakes, dry calderas, lush vegetation, hot springs and fumarole fields.
A testament to the power of nature, the mountain of Pico, located on the eponymous island, seems to watch over nature from its 2,351 m altitude. The Azores archipelago is also one of the richest regions in terms of biodiversity in Europe. There are cetaceans, including whales, sharks and dolphins, but also a multitude of birds and land animals. Among the endemic species, the Azorean noctule is one of them
A strong desire to protect this exceptional natural environment
The natural wealth of the archipelago has given rise to the Azores Geopark, whose objective is to promote and protect the exceptional geological heritage of all nine islands. In order to promote this geological paradise, which dates back 10 million years, the Azores Geopark offers itineraries and services to encourage ecotourism, in parallel with the development of sustainability policies. Nature conservation, energy production and management, waste management, air quality monitoring, environmental awareness, promotion of Azorean culture, everything is done to ensure that locals and visitors alike feel concerned about the need to protect the Azores' rich biodiversity.
The Azores have 25% of their territory classified as a protected area, for a destination that is among the top 100 most sustainable destinations in the world
