Visions of Azores (4 galleries)

An autonomous region of Portugal, the Azores are a chain of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic with characteristics that call to mind Hawaii, Iceland and Ireland. Across the Azores, there is a long history of man living in harmony with the nature--even converting environmental challenges and idiosyncracies to good use. The islands share an Eden-like atmosphere but each one has a distinct personality and cultural traditions.