Travel in Azores Islands - Portugal - History

Azores Islands - History

The Azores Anthem

Original Portuguese version:

Deram frutos a fé e a firmeza
No esplendor de um cântico novo:
Os Açores são a nossa certeza
De traçar a glória de um povo.

Para a frente! Em comunhão,
Pela nossa autonomia.
Liberdade, justiça e razão
Estão acesas no alto clarão
Da bandeira que nos guia

Para a frente! Lutar, batalhar
Pelo passado, imortal.
No futuro a luz semear,
De um povo triunfal.

De um destino com brio alcançado Colhermos mais frutos e flores,
Porque é este o sentido sagrado Das estrelas que coroam os Açores.

Para a frente, açorianos!
Pela paz à terra unida.
Largos voos, com ardor firmamos,
Para que mais floresçam os ramos Da vitória merecida.

Para a frente! Lutar, batalhar
Pelo passado imortal,
No futuro a luz semear,
De um povo triunfal.

Letra: Natália Correia
Música: Teófilo Frazão
____________________

Translated in English

This is not intended as a translation of the Azores Anthem! It is no more than the author's wish (Pierre Le Velly de Sousa Lima) to convey its "deep
feeling contents" to readers; we know it should not be done therefore ask for your forgiveness!

Faith and firmness gave birth
In the splendour of a new chant
The Azores are our assurance
Of tracing the glory of a people

Ahead! In communion,
For our Autonomy.
Liberty, justice and reason
Are lit up in the lightning
Of the Flag that guides us

Ahead! Fight, Battle
For the immortal past
Seed in future the light
Of a triumphant people

Of a destiny achieved with pride
To pick more fruit and flowers
Because this is the sacred way
Of the stars that crown the Azores.

Ahead, Azoreans!
For peace in the united land.
We take large flights,
So that branches of deserved victory
Flower better.

Ahead! Fight, Battle
For the immortal past,
Seed in future the light,
Of a triumphant people.

Situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about two hours flying time from Lisbon (about 1,500 Km) and five hours flying time from the eastern coast of North America (about 3,900 Km), the archipelago is spread out in the area of the parallel that passes through Lisbon (39º, 43'/39º, 55' North Latitude), giving it a moderate climate, with mild annual oscillation.

The nine islands have a total area of 2,355 Km2.
Their individual areas vary between 747 Km2 (S.Miguel) and 17 Km2 (Corvo). The volcanic origin of all the islands is revealed by their volcanic cones and craters. Pico, a volcano that stands 2,351 meters high on the island of the same name, has the highest altitude in the Azores.
The nine islands of the archipelago are divided in three Groups:
The Eastern Group of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria, the Central Group of Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial, and the Western Group of Flores and Corvo.

The outline of the garden-like islands on the horizons of the sea. Peace and quiet. Flowers in the fields, in the villages, in the houses. The blue and green of dreamy lagoons. A pace of life in which there is time to stop and appreciate living. Art treasures that recall pages of a centuries-long history. Nature in all its original splendour. A meeting with the past involved in everyday life.
Invitations to discover and experience a different world, repeated on each of the nine islands of the Azores.

Situated in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, at the centre of the anticyclones zone of the Azores, bathed by a warm branch of the Gulf Stream, the archipelago enjoys a temperate maritime climate, without great variations in annual temperature. Each island has its own climate, with micro-climates produced by the relief and geographical location.

Light clothes, with one or two woolen pieces for the cooler days or nights, are enough all year round, although in the winter slightly warmer wraps may be necessary. It is better to bring along a raincoat, however, because there are frequent showers followed at once by sunshine "the days of the four seasons" as the Azoreans picturesquely say - above all in the months from October to April.

Discovered or recognized, as some authors state by Portuguese navigators as from 1427, the Azores were populated in the 15th century by pioneers from Portugal, although small groups of Flemings settled on some of the islands. The 16th and 17th centuries made the archipelago one of the anchors of trade between Europe, America and India, and its ports sheltered galleons loaded with treasures.

Important naval battles were fought in the waters of the Azores in that period, while the islands were attacked by corsairs and pirates. The following centuries were calmer, but in 1829 the Azores returned to the pages of history, with the role played by Terceira in the struggle against the absolutist forces and as the base for the liberal forces that invaded the mainland Portugal. The archipelago developed during the 19th and 20th centuries with the introductions of new crops, setting up of industries and progress made with stock-breeding and fisheries. The last few years have witnessed a progressive improvement in the economic and social well-being of the population.

Each of the nine islands of the Azores has an individualized landscape. They have one point in common, however. The presence of luxuriant, exuberant greenery which includes all the colours of the rainbow and is speckled with bright flowers.

Then there are the wonderful lagoons at the bottom of craters. The irregular lands cut by hills and valleys and the flat areas with cultivated fields that look like a chess board. The constant presence of the blue sea which can be seen from the top of a high cliff on Sao Jorge or glimpsed on a level with the vineyards of Graciosa.

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