Source: TOI
Context: Recently, the regional assembly of the Azores approved the creation of the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic, significantly contributing to global conservation goals.
About Azores Archipelago:
- Location: The Azores is a group of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, around 1,500 km west of mainland Portugal.
- Origin: The islands were formed through volcanic activity, and the archipelago sits above the Azores Triple Junction, where the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates meet.
- Geography: Divided into three groups — northwest, central, and eastern — the islands run in a northwest-southeast direction.
- Key Features:
- Mount Pico on Pico Island is the highest point in the Azores.
- Climate: The islands have an oceanic subtropical climate, characterized by mild temperatures year-round.
- Fauna: The Azores are home to unique biodiversity, including the endemic Azores bullfinch and Monteiro’s storm petrel, as well as rich laurel forests.
- Marine conservation: The Azores government recently established a 300,000 square km protected marine area, aiming to preserve underwater mountain ranges and deep-sea ecosystems.
- Conservation leadership: The region is leading marine protection efforts, aligning with the UN’s 2030 goals to protect 30% of land and sea.
- Marine biodiversity: The islands are known for their diverse marine life, including deep-sea corals and hydrothermal vents.
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