Graciosa
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220952002
2008-06-22T10:59:33Z
Zorrobot
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robot Adding: [[nn:Graciosa]]
''There is also a '''Graciosa''' in the [[Canary Islands]], see [[Graciosa, Canary Islands]]''
{{Infobox Islands
| name = Graciosa
| image name = Graciosa Azores SW.jpg
| image caption = Grociosa from the air
| image size =
| locator map = Graciosa-pos.png
| native name =
| native name link = Portugal
| nickname =
| location = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
| coordinates = {{coor dm|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 = [[Administrative divisions of Portugal|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 /km²
| ethnic groups =
| additional info =
}}
'''Graciosa Island''' ([[Pronunciation|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 large [[stratovolcano]] which rises from the floor of the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The southeastern end is dominated by a 1.6 km wide [[caldera]], 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 from [[Montemor-o-Velho]] and his name was Vasco Gil Sodré. He came from [[Terceira Island]] and settled forever on Graciosa with his family.
Graciosa has a school, a lyceum, a gymnasia, a church and a square (''[[praça]]'').
==Sporting clubs==
The sporting club of the island is football/soccer and is part of the [[Associação de Futebol de Angra do Heroísmo]].
<gallery>
Image:Ponta da Barca Graciosa Azores.jpg|Ponta da Barca
Image:Farol da Ponta da Barca Graciosa Azores.jpg|Lighthouse at [[Ponta da Barca]]
Image:Carapacho thermal baths Azores.jpg|Thermal baths
Image:Farol do Carapacho Graciosa Azores.jpg|Another lighthouse
</gallery>
==References==
* {{VNUM | 1=1802-04= }}
* {{cite book | last = Scarth | first = Alwyn | coauthors= Tanguy, Jean-Claude | title = Volcanoes of Europe | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | date = 2001 | pages= 243 pp | isbn = 0-19-521754-3 }}
==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]
* {{en}} [http://theazoresislands.blogspot.com/search/label/Graciosa%20Island The Azores Islands, Site with abundant information about Graciosa Island]
{{Azores Islands}}
{{Outlying territories of European countries}}
[[Category:Stratovolcanoes]]
[[Category:Mountains of Portugal]]
[[Category:Volcanoes of Portugal]]
[[Category:Graciosa Island (Azores)| ]]
[[de:Graciosa (Azoren)]]
[[et:Graciosa]]
[[el:Γκρασιόσα]]
[[es:Isla Graciosa]]
[[eu:Graciosa]]
[[fr:Graciosa (île des Açores)]]
[[gl:Illa Graciosa]]
[[nl:Graciosa]]
[[nn:Graciosa]]
[[pl:Graciosa (Azory)]]
[[pt:Graciosa]]
[[sk:Graciosa (sopka)]]
[[sv:Graciosa]]