The Azores Islands - Portugal | Portugal.com Porto and the North Azores Consisting of nine islands, the Azores are divided into three groups: the eastern ( Sao Miguel and Santa Maria islands), the central ( Terceira , Graciosa , Sao Jorge , Pico and Faial islands), and the western ( Flores and Corvo islands). Apart from international airports of Santa Maria, Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroismo, there are flights to the islands (operated by the regional airline TAP Air Portugal) and ferry boats between the islands. Even the blase visitor will be touched by the sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches, and majestic manor houses. This legendary land, consisting of nine poetically-named islands, enjoys year-round mild temperatures (between 14°C and 22°C–57°F and 71°F) and is a peaceful shelter with a population of 250000 inhabitants, for whom the words “stress” and “pollution” are unheard.

There are many stories to tell of the archipelago’s beauty, of fishermen or shepherds, but among them there is one which was told by a holidaymaker. As a foreign couple was silently looking at the Caldeira das Sete Cidades when they were interrupted by their six-year-old son, who asked them: “Is this God’s home?” Sao Miguel Island The largest of all. In Ponta Delgada, the capital, the famous 18th century portals open up to a number of monuments that are worth visiting, most of them built between the 16th and the 18th century: Carlos Machado Museum and churches of Sao Sebastiao, Sao Pedro, Sao Jose, Colegio and Nossa Senhora da Conceicao; convent and chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca and Santa Ana Chapel. Palaces: Fonte Bela and Santa Ana; Conceicao and Santa Catarina; Casa de Carlos Bicudo and the Pacos do Concelho.

Other places to visit: Caldeira das Sete Cidades (green and blue lakes); Lagoa do Fogo; Ribeira Grande; Vale das Furnas (spas and hot mineral pools) and Vila Franca do Campo. Terceira Island The historic centre of its capital, Angra do Heroismo, has been classified in UNESCO’s International Heritage list. Special reference to the forts of Sao Sebastiao and Sao Joao Baptista (16th-17th-centuries); the palaces of the Bettencourts (Baroque) and of the Capitaes-Generais; the Cathedral, with its silver altar front and treasure; the churches of Colegio dos Jesuitas, Sao Goncalo and Nossa Senhora da Conceicao (17th-century); the churches of Misericordia and Nossa Senhora da Guia (18th-century, the latter encloses the Angra Museum). Other points of interest: Praia da Vitoria, Santa Barbara, Sao Sebastiao and Vila Nova.

Graciosa Island In Santa Cruz da Graciosa you will find ancient streets and manor-houses, a beautiful mother-church (16th-18th centuries), Santo Cristo Church (16th century), Cruz da Barra (Manueline) and Ethnographic House. In the Furna do Enxofre, dazzling sights and a vaulted cave over an underground lake (between 11am and 2pm the sunlight filters in). You must also visit Guadalupe and its Baroque church, Luz and Praia (typical windmills). Faial Island In Horta, a famous yacht harbor, look at the beautiful tiles and gilded carvings in the 17th and 18th century churches of Sao Salvador, Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Sao Francisco. To visit: Sacred Art Museum, Nossa Senhora das Angústias Church, Nossa Senhora do Pilar Chapel, Imperio dos Nobres and Porto Pim fortifications, Caldeira Natural Reserve, Capelinhos, grottoes and caves in Costa da Feteira and Monte da Guia belvedere.

Pico Island Owes its name to the 7713 ft high volcanic cone. Special reference to Sao Roque do Pico, with its 18th century churches of Sao Roque and Sao Pedro de Alcântara; Lajes do Pico, with its Whale Museum; Madalena, with its Wine Museum and 17th-century church, and Areia Larga, with beautiful winery manor houses. Other places: Calheta de Nesquim, Candelaria, Criacao Velha, Piedade (forest preserve), Prainha do Norte, Santa Luzia, Santo Amaro, Sao Caetano, Sao Joao and Sao Mateus. Sao Jorge Island Velas, with its fishing port, is the main town. One can admire its manor houses, the churches of Sao Jorge (17th century), and Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, Town Hall (Azorian Baroque) and 18th century walls. Do not miss Calheta, Manadas, Ribeira Seca, Topo and Urzelina.

Flores Island In Santa Cruz, you will find manors, the churches of Sao Boaventura (Baroque) and Nossa Senhora da Conceicao (19th century) and the Ethnographic Museum. Trips to Ribeira Grande Waterfall, to the Gruta dos Enxareus (by boat) and to Lagoas (seven lakes surrounded by flowers). The smallest of all and a peaceful sanctuary. In Vila Nova do Corvo, narrow cobblestone streets and the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres. In Caldeirao (enormous volcanic crater),there are two lakes with nine small islands, just like the archipelago. Regional Gastronomy Cozido das furnas (stew made in the hot springs) Rumpsteaks Discover Azores | Azores.com Discover Azores | Azores.com Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. Register ............. Welcome! Welcome to Azores.com the premier worldwide site about traveling to 9 breathtaking Azores islands in the middle of the Atlantic. What separates Azores.com from other sites is our expertise and humanity. You can rest assured that you won’t be left on your own in a new and unknown paradise.

You can book directly on this site or with our help, but in either case we will be with you before, during and after your visit to the Azores islands. Até breve! Click here to read about what customers are saying Top Destinations Fishing Golf Mystic and peaceful Furnas valley and its namesake village and lake are located about 30 minutes from Ponta Delgada. In Furnas you can eat the famous meat and vegetables dish, "Cozido", cooked in concrete silos dug into the sulfurous hot grounds around Furnas Lake. When visiting Furnas, we suggest the Hotel Terra Nostra Garden , a three star hotel located right at the entrance to Park Terra Nostra one of the top botanical gardens in Europe. Terra Nostra garden was the brainchild of Thomas Hickling the US consul general stationed in São Miguel. The park was open in 1780 and features thousand of botanical samples from as far as Asia as well as a very large natural swimming pool fed by naturally heated water with high iron content. If you rather stay in the countryside suggest Furnas Lake Village , a wonderful four star nature-set accommodation located close to the lake. Geysers and hot springs make this area a top destination for volcanologists.

For nature lovers, Furnas valley offers some of the greatest walking trails in São Miguel. Pico is the second biggest Azorean island and its mountain the highest in Portugal. Visitors to Pico usually enjoy outdoors activities such as hicking, swimming, motoquad, donkey rides, whale watching, swimming among dolphins and many others. Besides its world famous mountain, Pico is known for its wine, ocean activities, whale museums and “Gruta da Torre”, one of the longest underground lava tubes in Europe. Travelers enjoy staying in nature hotels such as Aldeia da Fonte in Silveira and Adegas do Pico in Prainha, quaint and modern apart-hotel such as Baia da Barca in Madalena or any other type of accommodations that are sprinkled throughout the island. Many visitors combine a visit to Pico as part of a tour that includes other islands in the Azores such as São Miguel, Flores and Faial. One thing is certain, Pico is unique and unforgettable. Flores is home to numerous waterfalls and nine wonderful lakes offering the visitor beautiful and relaxing surroundings. A full day excursion will take you to all the local points of interest so not to miss what this delightful island has to offer.

In Flores you can experience and live the local traditional life by staying at Aldeia Cuada , a group of rural houses with ocean view and where tranquility is queen. If you’re looking to relax in the modern comfort of a more contemporary lodging, Hotel das Flores is recommended, with its view of the ocean and Corvo island. When in Flores, take advantage of a short ferry ride to visit Corvo the smallest island of the archipelago. In Corvo you can spend your day at leisure, and if staying overnight the family run, quaint in Guest House Comodore is recommended. Flores is also one of the best places for underwater free and scuba diving as well as other ocean activities. Cetaceans are the darlings of the Azorean seas with their elegance of movements and playful demeanor. Pico, Faial and São Miguel are islands where one can find organized and professional whale watching outings and embark on an unforgettable adventure. Guides will provide historic perspective from the dependency on the trade of whale hunting to feed families, which ceased in 1984, until the declaration of a protected species which led to the understanding and activities related to ensuring the well being of the species.

The highest concentration of cetaceans in these waters occurs between the months of June and September, where they come to breed or to play in the Azores warmer waters. Whale watching and swimming with dolphins in their own habitat is an unforgettable adventure and a 3 hour trip is all it takes. Don’t forget to visit the whale museums in Pico and Faial for they do provide a great timeline tying the past and the present of our interface with these wonderful creatures. The Capelinhos volcano erupted in 1957 in one of the most pristine areas of Faial island. Nearby, the Interpretative Center of Capelinhos is a must visit where the expert interpretation of the event's timeline is exposed and described. A quaint place to stay and a sought after lodging is Casas d’Arramada , a set of traditional country townhouses surrounded by the “Caldeira” (a crater with 2 km diameter), the volcano and the ocean. Horta city with its strong and historic connections with the sea, offers a unique experience via a stay at Pousada de Santa Cruz , a centuries old fort witness to numerous sea battles.

The Pousadas is strategically positioned at the water front, by the harbor, with a magnificent view of Pico Mountain. Peter Café an obligatory point of encounter for all yachtsmen crossing the Atlantic, as well as at the famous yacht-full marina, are places very much worth visiting. A full day excursion takes you around the island where you can learn the history and savor the scenery. Diving, fishing, whale watching are all activities worth considering when in Faial. Terceira is known for its capital Angra do Heroísmo, an UNESCO world heritage town, as well as the famous Sanjoaninas festivities held every June. An island with such rich past offers choices of excursions such as one spent visiting the magnificent mystic cave of Algar do Carvão, savoring a traditional lunch to sample the regional meat dish Alcatra, and taking in the islands green landscape. The Quinta das Mercês , a manor house built in the XVIII century, is perfectly molded into the idyllic background of Monte Brasil, beautiful gardens, and the ocean. Here you can spend your days walking and relaxing among nature.

If you prefer the freedom of a hotel with a beach at a walking distance, try the popular Atlântida Mar Hotel . Alternatively you may chose to combine a tranquil ocean view and stay close to the Angra do Heroísmo by staying at the four star Hotel Terceira Mar . The Sanjoaninas, running of the bulls, Praia festivities, and music festivals, among others, make Terceira a popular choice and sought after destination. The ocean around Azores is known for the availability quality and variety of fish, a staple of the delicious local and traditional cuisine that delights anyone who tries it. From the smallest fish such as horse mackerel, to the big prize fish such as tuna and swordfish, all can be caught by those who enjoy the hobby or sport of fishing. Coastline fishing allows for an afternoon along the coast of São Miguel where fishing can be intermingled with the appreciation of the beautiful coastal landscape of the island. Coastline fishing is ideal for catching smaller fish. For those looking for bigger thrills, Big Game fishing all day activity is a shot of adrenaline in the high seas. Big game fishing best times is during the months of May and June for tuna and June till September for swordfish.

The day ends with the captain cooking a deserved "pescado" to celebrate the adventure. Let yourself fall in love with the wonderfully green golf courses of São Miguel e Terceira . Stages for international tournaments, the 18 and 36 hole courses allow golfers to have moments of pure bliss. In São Miguel, one can chose from two courses: Batalha and Furnas . Azores.com and Hotel Bahia Palace have combined efforts to bring you excellent value packages that include hotel, rental car, and green fees. These unique programs are geared towards those wanting the excitement of golf while relaxing on arguably the best beach in São Miguel. In Terceira you may stay at Hotel Terceira Mar in Angra do Heroísmo or Hotel Atlântida do Mar in Praia da Vitoria, inaugurated in 2011. If you’re holiday is limited in days, you may chose to play in just one island or one course and take advantage of 5 and 7 day packages. All courses are delighted to welcome beginners. If requested, lessons can be arranged as well as equipment. Why not come to São Miguel or Terceira to begin or continue your golf passion?

Client Favorites 5 Island Package - Our clients number one choice this package includes inter-island flights, transfers, 4 star hotels, and guided excursions. The journey takes you to five wonderful islands of São Miguel, Terceira, Flores, Pico and Faial. See details... Azorean Traditions - Spend a week immersed in tradition staying among rural settings which take you back to decades past. Ocean views and whale watching make Azorean Traditions one of the favorite programs for those visiting Azores. See details... 3 Island Package - This package takes you to three wonderful islands. It allows for maximizing your time and lowering your stress by leaving the planning to us. This tour is a favorite due to the choice of hotels, transfers, flights and excursions. See details... Full day Furnas excursion - Visit the mystic valley of Furnas, taste the traditional “Cozido das Furnas”, stroll through the outstanding Terra Nostra Park, and if you feel like, take a plunge in the enormous iron rich natural warm water swimming pool. See details... Faial full day 4x4 excursion - A popular guided excursion takes you through the beautiful Faial countryside and the Capelinhos volcano Interpretative Center.

Learn about the timeline and walk through the grounds. Tour stops for a typical Faial lunch. See details... Travel Tips Horta Horta The Azores archipelago is characterized by a tepid, oceanic, subtropical climate, with mild annual temperatures oscillating from 15°C (59 °F) to 27°C (80°F). Statistically the driest month is July and the wettest November. Average annual mean relative humidity is 76%. Frost is non-existent. The ocean water temperature in Azores range from 17°C (63°F) in the winter to 25°C (77° F) in the summer. The average annual rainfall increases from east to west, with annual precipitation of 958 mm (37.7 in) or 80 mm (3.1 in) per month. Light clothes, with one or two sweater or jacket pieces for the cooler days or nights, are enough all year round. In the winter slightly warmer clothing may be necessary. It is better to bring along a light raincoat, however, as there are sometimes showers followed at once by sunshine. The Azores are free of exotic or tropical diseases or any other unusual condition.

No vaccinations are recommended or imposed as well as any other kind of precaution. However we strongly recommend you: Inform your travel Agent that you have special needs, including food allergies Bring your own medication according to the number of days you are staying abroad. Keep in mind that they may not be for sale outside your country Attempt to learn the names of certain foods and allergies in Portuguese Hospitals and Health Centers - Ponta Delgada, Angra and Horta hospitals are full service health centers ready to deal with any major casualty. Other hospitals and health centers are present in every island which can help with any health concern except for serious sickness or major trauma. Evacuation services to major hospitals are made via air by local emergency response teams. New country. It's advisable to have some cash in the local currency for the first couple days.

Banks and ATM's are present in every island Major credit cards accepted are: Visa, Master-Card and American Express Debit cards work as long as they are tied to Visa or Master-Card Notify your credit card company that you are travelling Have an emergency phone number from your credit card company Using the ATM's machines will allow you to have the cash in the local currency and it's a good choice to avoid carrying big amounts of cash Travelers checks are not advisable as compared with the choices above Site FAQ's Visit Azores | Azores Holidays - Discover the Azores Islands in your Vacations | Visit Azores Eastern Group Geography All the nine islands of the Azores Archipelago are volcanic origin and are located in the North Atlantic, scattered along a 600 km stretch of ocean from Santa Maria to Corvo, approximately between 37° and 40° north latitude and 25° and 31° west longitude.

According to 2011 data, 246,772 people live in this island territory that covers 2,325 sq.km, distancing 1,600 km from mainland Europe (Portugal) and 2,454 km from the North American continent (Canada). The islands of the archipelago are divided in three geographical groups: the Eastern Group, comprising Santa Maria and São Miguel, the Central Group, including Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the Western Group, composed by Corvo and Flores. The Azores, along with the archipelagos of Madeira, Canary Islands and Cape Verde, constitute the biogeographic region of Macaronesia, a name which means "fortunate islands" for those who live there and visit them. Island group administered by Portugal - crossword puzzle clue Help Clue: Island group administered by Portugal Island group administered by Portugal is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 1 time. There are related clues (shown below).

Referring crossword puzzle answers Likely related crossword puzzle clues Sort A-Z Island group administered by Portugal | Crossword Puzzle Clue | CrosswordGiant.com Island group administered by Portugal Island group administered by Portugal Clue: Island group administered by Portugal We have 1 possible answer for the clue Island group administered by Portugal which appears 1 time in our database. Map of Azores - European Maps, Europe Maps Azores Map Information - World Atlas Print this map Azores Description The widely-separated Azores, 972 miles (1564 km) directly west of Lisbon, Portugal, includes nine islands (all volcanic in origin). Colonized by the Portuguese in the mid-15th century, their strategic position near the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is their most valuable asset. Today the Azores are an important mid-ocean refueling and pit-stop for commercial airlines, cruise ships, international shipping, and private yachts. Famous for deep sea fishing, local cheeses, red and white wine production, and many varieties of tropical fruit - the islands are becoming a increasingly popular tourist destination. Note: A more detailed description of the Azores history will be posted soon.

Portuguese Genealogy & Family History - Portuguese Ancestry View Records » Portuguese Genealogy Portugal, situated on the Iberian Peninsula, was once one of the greatest maritime nations of Europe. Bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean, its possessions include the Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira. The Azores consist of nine islands located in the North Atlantic, while Madeira is comprised of a four island group southwest of Lisbon. First settled by the Celts around 700 BC, Portugal was invaded many times, first by the Romans, the Visigoths from Germany, the Moors, and later by conquered by Ferdinand of Spain. Portugal was recognized as an independent country in 1143, under the rule of King Alfonso Henriques. Although the country was once again invaded - this time by Napoleon - the would-be conqueror was defeated by an Anglo-Portuguese alliance. In the 19th century, Portugal fell under dictatorial rule that ended in 1968; today, Portugal is a member of the European Community (EC).

Although Portugal's 19th and 20 century history is one of instability and turmoil, in the 15th century it was one of the world's major powers, establishing a global maritime empire. Portugal's great age of discovery was due in great part to Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), who provided ships and money to Portuguese captains. Ships ventured out into the world's oceans, opening up the globe for an era of exploration. Madeira was discovered in 1419 and the Azores in 1427. In 1492, Columbus (Portuguese-trained) discovered the West Indies, Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa to reach India, and Brazil became a colony following the landing of Pedro �lvares Cabral in 1500. In 1542-43, Portuguese-born Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to explore the coast of the present-day California. One of the most famed Portuguese explorers was Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to circumnavigate the globe, from 1519 to 1522.

Seeking a route to the Orient by sailing around the tip of South America (Strait of Magellan), he was the first to christen the "calm sea" he sailed into as the "Pacific" (although da Gama called it Mar del Sur). Tracing Portuguese Ancestry The Portuguese have a long history in America. Sephardic Jews from Portugal came to the colonies as early as the 1630s. In 1654, 23 Sephardic Jews arrived in New Amsterdam from Brazil, while 40 Portuguese and Spanish Jews settled in Georgia in 1733. During the 18th century, large numbers of Portuguese immigrated to America where they played a major role in the New England whaling trade. In 1752 Aaron Lopez, who was born in Lisbon, helped build the first Jewish synagogue in America at Newport. Lopez owned 30 whaling ships, recruiting his crews from the Azores. As whaling declined, Portuguese migrated to textile mills in New Bedford or to the California gold fields.

While Portuguese immigration was not nearly as large as that from Ireland and Germany, it focused on specific regions - - New England, San Francisco, Hawaii, and San Diego - - all linked by whaling or the fishing trade. Among the Portuguese who served during America's founding years were sailors who fought with John Paul Jones. During the War of 1812, Portuguese served under Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. John Phillips, born in the Azores, received a Congressional award for his 1866 heroic, 236-mile ride through a blinding snowstorm to take news of an Indian massacre from Fort Kearney to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. In the mid-20th century a second large wave of Portuguese immigration began, primarily into New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Seventy percent of the early Portuguese immigrants came to the U.S. from the Azores, with the remainder from Madeira and the Cape Verde Islands. Emigrants from mainland Portugal went to Brazil, although in the mid-20th century migration from Portugal to the U.S. increased.

Another group of Portuguese-Americans include descendants of Portuguese settlers born in Africa (Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique). According to the 1980 federal census, more than one million people in the United States claim Portuguese ancestry. The historical pattern of Portuguese immigration and settlement is clearly seen when mapping this census data. Areas of major settlement are focused in southeastern New England (from Providence, Rhode Island, SE Massachusetts to Boston) and in central California (San Francisco Bay area and San Joaquin Valley. Per population numbers, Portuguese-Americans are the fourth largest ethnic group in Hawaii, fifth largest group in Rhode Island and the eighth largest group in Massachusetts. The 2000 census show the three biggest Portuguese-American communities to be Boston, New York/New Jersey/Connecticut, and the San Francisco Bay area. Other areas of settlement include southern California (Los Angeles and San Diego). From the 1940s through the 1960s, San Diego's Portuguese families owned and operated more than 150 fishing boats, mainly involved in the tuna trade.

Today, this community - as well as others across America - are tightly knit, and still take part in an annual celebration of their heritage with the Festa do Divino Espirito Santo. Portguese Family History Resources The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency Background: Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.

Geography :: PORTUGAL chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016) head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da COSTA (since 24 November 2015) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 January 2016 (next to be held in January 2021); following legislative elections last held in October 2015, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition was appointed prime minister by the president election results: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, Antonio Sampaio da NOVA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATISA (BE) 10.1%, Maria de BELEM (independent) 4.2%, other 10.8% note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body

 to the president Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 4 October 2015 (next to be held by October 2019) election results: percent of vote by party - Portugal Ahead Coalition (PAF) 36.9%, PS 32.3%, B.E.

10.2%, CDU 8.2%, PPD/PSD (Azores and Madeira) 1.5%, PAN 1.4%, other 9.5%; seats by party - PAF 102, PS 86, B.E.

19, CDU 17, PPD/PSD (Azores and Madeira) 5, PAN 1 Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 12 justices); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges - 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 elected by the other Constitutional Court judges; judges elected for 6-year non-renewable terms subordinate courts: Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); appellate, district, and municipal courts Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP [Assuncao CRISTAS] Ecologist Party (The Greens) or PEV [Jose Luis FERREIRA and Heloisa APOLONIA] Portuguese Communist Party or PCP [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] Portugal Ahead Coalition or PAF (includes PSD and CDS/PP) Social Democratic Party or PPD/PSD [Fernando RUAS] Socialist Party or PS [

Antonio COSTA] The Left Bloc or BE [Catarina Soares MARTINS] Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes Portuguese Communist Party or PCP and Ecologist Party ("The Greens") or PEV) Armed Forces Officers' Association or AOFA [Colonel Pereira CRACEL] the Desperate Generation (youth movement protesting against low wages, precarious labor conditions, and unemployment) General Workers Union or General Confederation of Portuguese Workers or UGT [Carlos SILVA] Portuguese National Workers' Conference or CGTP [Armenio CARLOS] TugaLeaks (a website that has become a mouthpiece for publicizing diverse protest action) other: the media; labor unions International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, I

LO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC chief of mission: Ambassador Domingos T?eixeira de Abreu Fezas VITAL (since 28 January 2016) chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610 consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Newark (NJ), Providence (RI) chief of mission: Ambassador Robert A.

SHERMAN (since 30 May 2014) embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE 09726 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese) lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event Economy :: PORTUGAL Economy - overview: Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community - the EU's predecessor - in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors.

The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members. The economy grew by more than the EU average for much of the 1990s, but the rate of growth slowed in 2001-08. The economy contracted in 2009, and fell again from 2011 to 2014, as the government implemented spending cuts and tax increases to comply with conditions of an EU-IMF financial rescue package, signed in May 2011. A modest recovery began in 2013 and gathered steam in 2014 due to strong export performance and a rebound in private consumption. Although austerity measures were instituted to reduce the large budget deficit, they contributed to record unemployment and a wave of emigration not seen since the 1960s. A continued reduction in private- and public-sector debt could weigh on consumption and investment in 2016, holding back a stronger recovery.

The prior center-right government passed legislation aimed at reducing labor market rigidity, and, this, along with sustained fiscal discipline, could make Portugal more attractive to foreign direct investment. Under the center-right government, the budget deficit fell from 11.2% of GDP in 2010 to 3.5% in 2015, reaching the EU-IMF target of 4%, but still above its EU fiscal obligations, under the excessive deficit procedure. EU-IMF financing expired in May 2014. The new center-left Socialist government, however, has signaled that it will unwind spending cuts associated with austerity while remaining within EU fiscal targets.

0.05% (31 December 2014) 0.25% (31 December 2013) note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area country comparison to the world: 144 4.1% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.49% (31 December 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $87.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $72.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.) note: see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of country comparison to the world: 40 $296.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $316.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $3

21.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $326.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $59.84 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $57.77 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $79.18 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 50 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 46 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 6.3 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 7.2 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 19 million kW (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 42.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison

 to the world: 82 28.2% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 29.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2011) country comparison to the world: 95 Merchant marine: total: 109 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 35, carrier 1, chemical tanker 21, container 7, liquefied gas 6, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 9 foreign-owned: 81 (Belgium 8, Colombia 1, Denmark 4, Germany 14, Greece 2, Italy 12, Japan 9, Mexico 1, Norway 2, Spain 18, Sweden 3, Switzerland 3, US 4) registered in other countries: 15 (Cyprus 2, Malta 3, Panama 10) (2010) country comparison to the world: 

48 major seaport(s): Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines LNG terminal (import): Sines

Question: The Azores island group is administered by which country?
Answer: Portugal