The Azores consist of 9 small islands made from volcano eruptions, located in the Atlantic Ocean. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Lisbon to the Azores. The total area is about 2.333 km2. There are great variation in the size of the islands. São Miguel is the biggest with 747 km2. Corvo is the smallest with only 17 km2.
The Portuguese post office (CTT) has issued a new collection of stamps dedicated to the ponds of the Azores on April 22, 2009. The issue is a joint effort between CTT and the Institute of the Conservation of the Nature which celebrates the diversity of life in the region and ongoing efforts to protect habitats.
The four stamps show images of ponds with birds, fishes or trees. The 32 centimos stamp represents Comprida Lake, in Flores Island with a Scolopax rusticola, a very common bird that can be found across Asia and Europe, hence why it's known as Eurasian Woodcock.
The 68 centimos stamp represent Lake of Caldeirão in Corvo Island with the beautiful butterfly, a Hipparchia azorina that is endemic to Azores and is currently threatened.
The 80 centimos stamp represent Lake of Capitão in Pico with the Dragonfly , a Anax imperator, an amazing blue variety.
The 2 euros stamp represent Lagoinha in Terceira with the fruit is taken from a tree endemic to Azores, the Juniperus brevifolia. , a Cedar tree. Meanwhile the one of two souvenir sheet were issued depicted underwater water creature like fish, shell, and octopus. Other sheet depicted three species of ducts .
