FLORES ISLAND

Portuguese Ilha Das Flores, westernmost island of the Portuguese Azores archipelago, in the North Atlantic. It forms, together with the Ilha do Corvo, the Santa Cruz group. The island has an area of 55 sq mi (142 sq km), is volcanic in origin, and rises from sea level to 3,087 ft (941 m) at Morro Grande in its centre. It has numerous crater lakes that offer good fishing and is noted for its lush flora (whence its name). The economy is based on cattle raising and dairying. The French government has established a space-aeronautics base near the island capital, Santa Cruz. Pop. (1981) 4,352.