FLORES

flores, an island in the atlantic ocean, belonging to portugal, and forming part of the azores archipelago. pop. (1900) 8137; area, 57 sq. m. flores and the adjacent island of corvo (pop. 806; area, 7 sq. m.) constitute the westernmost group of the azores, and seem but imperfectly to belong to the archipelago, from the rest of which they are widely severed. they lie also out of the usual track of navigators; but to those who, missing their course, are led thither, flores affords good shelter in its numerous bays. its poultry is excellent; and the cattle are numerous, but small. it derives its name from the abundance of the flowers that find shelter in its deep ravines. its capital is santa cruz das flores (2247). in 1591 flores was the station of the english fleet before the famous sea fight between sir r. grenville's ship "revenge" and a spanish fleet of 53 vessels. see azores.