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Costa Sudoeste
Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species
Located on the south coast of São Jorge, this protected area covers about 207.2 hectares, from the east end of the Morro Grande, Velas parish, to Pico dos Cutelos, Rosais parish, with 376 metres high.
In Entre Morros bay and in the high and steep sea-cliffs of the hills, it is possible to observe the inner structure of these volcanoes, including a clear stratification of volcanic materials and several sag bombs.
Several species of seabirds find in this protected area a safe place for resting, breeding and nesting, such as the Sterna hirundo and the Calonectris borealis. As for the flora, stand out endemic species such as the Erica azorica (urze), the Picconia azorica and the Myosotis maritima.
This area integrates an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of the BirdLife International organization, is classified as a geosite of the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark and its east end borders with a Protected Area of Resources Management and a Reserve Area for the Catch Management.