Monchique Islet
| Monchique Islet (Ilhéu de Monchique) | |
| Islets (Ilhéus) | |
 The waters around Monchique, showing the vertical prominence of the islet
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| Country |  Portugal |
|---|---|
| Autonomous region |  Azores |
| Islands | Eastern Group |
| Location | Azores Platform, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean |
| Highest point | |
| - location | Fajã Grande, Lajes das Flores, Azores |
| - elevation | 34 m (112 ft) |
| - coordinates | 39°29′43″N 31°16′30″W / 39.49528°N 31.27500°W |
| Lowest point | Sea level |
| - location | Atlantic Ocean, Fajã Grande, Lajes das Flores |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Biome | Marine biology |
| Geology | Basalt |
| Orogeny | Volcanism |
| Period | Holocene |
 Location of the island of Flores in the archipelago of the Azores
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The Monchique Islet (Portuguese: Ilhéu de Monchique) is a small islet, west of the village of Fajã Grande, off the coast of the island of Flores, in the western part of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It is the westernmost point of Portugal and if considered part of Europe (although it sits on the North American Plate) it would be its westernmost point as well.
Approachable only by boat, the bay, which has water depth of about 43 metres (141 ft), provides opportunities for scuba diving during the day in the summer. The islet and the waters around it are protected for its rich biodiversity; ninety-six species of flora and fauna have been identified congregating on or in the waters of the islet, including the species of brown algae, limpets, barnacles and Mediterranean rainbow wrasse.
Historically, it functioned as an astronomical (celestial) navigational guide and reference mark for mariners, who calibrated their navigational equipment by referencing the islet on long Atlantic crossings. Its unique geological formation also attracted visitors travelling between Europe and America, intersecting here on their way to the ports of Lajes or Santa Cruz ports of Flores Island. The steep rock slopes of the islet and shoreline served as shelter from strong offshore gales.
The islet is located more than 1 mile (1.6 km) north-northwest of the island of Flores, in a bay between Ponta de Fenais (Point Fanaes or Fanais Port) and Fajã Grande. The islet is actually located on the North American Plate between the two westernmost Azorean islands of Flores and Corvo.
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