Graciosa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There is also a Graciosa in the Canary Islands, see Graciosa, Canary Islands
| Graciosa | |
|---|---|
 The small 4 x 8 km island of Graciosa is seen in this NASA Space Shuttle image. |
|
| Elevation: | 402 m (1,319 feet) |
| Latitude: | 39.02° N (39° 1' 0" N) |
| Longitude: | 27.97° W (27° 58' 0" W) |
| Location: | Azores, Portugal |
| Area: | 60.84 km² |
| Type: | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption: | Unknown |
| First ascent: | |
| Easiest route: | |
Graciosa Island (pron. IPA: [gɾɐsi'ɔzɐ]), also known as White Island, belongs to the Central Group of the Archipelago of the Azores. The island has an area of 60.84 km² in an oval form. It has a length of 10 km and a width of 7 km.
Contents |
[edit] The landscape
The landscape of Graciosa (meaning enchanting) mixes the green of the trees with the white of the villages and isolated houses. It has fertile fields that produce cereals, fruit, wine, and cattle.
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 Cadeira 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.
[edit] Sources
- Siebert L, Simkin T (2002-). Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/).
[edit] External links
- Azores.com, a commercial site but with abundant information on Graciosa
- Street map from Mapquest
- Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver
1 Sovereignity over territories in Antarctica currently suspended under the Antarctic Treaty System.
