Azores

Portugal's mid-Atlantic archipelago of 9 volcanic islands spans 2,333 sq km across the Triple Junction of the North American, Eurasian, and African tectonic plates. Sao Miguel alone hosts the emerald Lagoa das Sete Cidades twin crater lakes and Furnas geothermal valley with natural hot springs. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Azores is Europe's premier whale watching destination with 24 cetacean species recorded.