There are islands that simply with their landscape are already a visual pleasure. The Flores Island with its lakes, laurel forests, natural pools, waterfalls, viewpoints, beaches and mosaics of green tones is one of them. Biosphere Reserve since 2009 the entire island composes a surprising habitat. In the central area of Flores, the ancient volcanic craters are lakes with colors that fade with the appreciated sun. On the coast caves, perforated islands and cliffs can only be appreciated with boat trips.
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| Flores Island Azores |
History
Flores was discovered in 1452 by Diogo de Teive and his son João de Teive, and colonized by the Flemish nobleman Willem van der Haegen. However, the isolation of the two westernmost islands, and the inability for the crops to prosper, caused it to be abandoned until 1504, when settlers from the islands of Terceira and Madeira undertook the task of creating a stable settlement.
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| Flores Island Azores |
However, the bulk of the population comes from the north of Portugal, something that is evident in the style of the houses. From 1860 when the American whalers brought exploitation and hunting to the Azores, and until the 30s and 40s of the 20th century, Flores experienced its greatest "economic splendor". The end of this industry led to an important emigration.
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| Flores Island Azores |
Curiously, the island was originally called São Tomás and Santa Maria, until it was renamed Flores. Although one might think that it was the colorful white, blue, pink and violet hydrangeas that led to its name, it was the yellow flowers Solidago sempervirens, from the Asteraceae family - whose seeds were transported by the wind or by birds from North America - those that took the largest extension.