- Graciosa
"There is also a Graciosa in the
Canary Islands , seeGraciosa, Canary Islands "Infobox Islands
name = Graciosa
image caption = Grociosa from the air
image size =
locator
native name =
native name link = Portugal
nickname =
location =Atlantic Ocean
coordinates = coord|39|01|N|27|58|W|type:mountain_region
archipelago =Azores Islands
total islands =
major islands =
area = 60.84 km²
highest mount = Caldera
elevation = 402 m
country = Portugal
country admin divisions title = Autonomous Region
country admin divisions =Azores Islands
country admin divisions title 1 =
country admin divisions 1 =
country capital city =
country largest city =Santa Cruz da Graciosa
country largest city population = 4,777
country leader title =
country leader name =
population = 4,777
population as of =
density = 79
ethnic groups =
additional info =Graciosa Island (pron. IPA2|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 largestratovolcano which rises from the floor of theAtlantic Ocean . The southeastern end is dominated by a 1.6 km widecaldera , known as Caldeira.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.
Municipalities
Graciosa has only one municipality,
Santa Cruz da Graciosa with almost 4,780 inhabitants (2001 census).The discovery
Graciosa Island was discovered in
May 2 ,1450 Its first settler was fromMontemor-o-Velho and his name was Vasco Gil Sodré. He came fromTerceira Island and settled forever on Graciosa with his family.Graciosa has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasia, a church and a square ("praça ").porting clubs
The sporting club of the island is football/soccer and is part of the
Associação de Futebol de Angra do Heroísmo .ee also
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Graciosa IPR References
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*External links
* [http://www.azores.com/azores/graciosa.php Azores.com, a commercial site but with abundant information on Graciosa]
* [http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=39.02&longitude=27.97&zoom=6 Street map from Mapquest]
* [http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=27.97&lat=39.02&w=750&h=500 Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver]
* [http://theazoresislands.blogspot.com/search/label/Graciosa%20Island The Azores Islands, Site with abundant information about Graciosa Island]
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