Environment
Horta is located in the Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean - about 1.500km from Lisbon - in the islands of the Azores.
The 9 islands will offer peace and quiet, blue and green lagoons - and flowers just everywhere!
Activities as whale watching, swimming with dolphins, jeep safari's, deep sea fishing, sailing and golf are very popular.
In Portugal the Atlantic Ocean is always "close by" - distances from estern inland border will
maximum be a two hour drive. The closest beach is less than 1 km away.
Climate : Island clima with tropical warm weather all year round Town character : Fishing village Primary Industry : Fishing
Population in city proper: 7.000 inhabitants. Population in the municipality of Horta: 15.200 inhabitants.
Horta is a city and a municipality on the island of Faial, in the western part of the Azores, Portugal.
There are three capital cities in the regional government in the Azores, Horta being one of them - serving as the Regional Assembly. The other two are Angra do Heroísmo, on the island of Terceira (the site of judicial branch - the Supreme Court), and Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island (seat of the executive government).
The marina
Hortas marina is a primary stop for yachters in the Atlantic Ocean. Its slips, walls, and walkways are covered in paintings created by visitors who noted the names of their vessels, crews, and the years they visited.
More about the Azores
The nine major Azorean islands and the eight small Formigas extend for more than 600 km and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. All of the islands have volcanic origins. The mountain of Pico, on Pico Island, at 2,351 m is the highest in all of Portugal. The Azores are actually the tops of some of the tallest mountains on the planet, as measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean.
Espirito Santo Festivals (Holy Ghost Festivals)
Espirito Santo Festivals are very important to the Azorean people. The festivals are rooted in medieval traditions and typically held on all the islands from May to September, including lively parades and large feasts. As part of the tradition, soup and bread are handed out to revelers during these events.
Wine from the region of Azores
Portugal produces some of the world's finest, oldest, unique and highest value-added wines.
The country has a large variety of native breeds - about 285 - producing a very wide
variety of different wines with distinctive personality.
