Geography

São Miguel,
the largest island in the archipelago of the Azores, has a land area of 759.41 km2: its length is 65 km
and its maximum width is 16 km. The island is composed of two volcanic massifs separated by a central ridge  with a low altitude
The highest point, called Pico da Vara, with an altitude of 1,080 metres, is situated in the eastern massif.
The large craters of Sete Cidades, Fogo and Furnas contain wonderful lakes of crystal-clear water.
The island is situated at 25º 30' West longitude and 37º 50' North latitude.

History

Settlement started in 1444, after Prince Henry the Navigator had cattle put ashore on seven islands of the archipelago.
Its captaincy was entrusted to Gonçalo Velho, knight and friar of the Order of Christ. The first inhabitants, from the
Portuguese provinces of Estremadura, Upper Alentejo and Algarve, were later joined by Madeirans, Jews, Moors and
possibly Frenchmen (a tradition recalled by the name of the parish of Bretanha - Brittany).
The fertility of the soil and the island's geographic position on the cross-roads of Europe, Africa and America contributed
to rapid economic expansion based on the production of wheat (exported to the Portuguese garrisons of the
North African strongholds), sugar cane, the dye-yielding plants called woad and archil (sold to Flanders),
wine and dairy products One century later, sweet potatoes, maize, yams, flax and oranges came to broaden the range
of the island's agricultural output. The victim of attacks by French, English and Algerian corsairs in the late 16th
and part of the 17th century, São Miguel was occupied by Spanish forces in 1582 after the defeat, off Vila Franca do Campo,
of a French fleet which had Portuguese among its crews and which supported the claims of Dom António Prior do Crato,
to the Portuguese throne.
With the Restoration of Portugal's independence in 1640, São Miguel recovered its position as a trading centre and developed
contacts with Brazil, to where it sent groups of settlers.
The export of oranges to England brought São Miguel great prosperity as from the end of the 18th century.
The orange groves were destroyed by a blight starting in 1860 but the local capacity for enterprise soon led to the
introduction of new crops - tobacco, tea, flag, chicory, sugar-beet and pineapples - which guaranteed economic survival.
With the passing of the years, these crops were joined by several industries and a growth in fisheries and livestock rising.
Today São Miguel is one of the political and administrative centres of the Region, and an island with a diversified economy
that is experiencing marked progress.

 Ponta Delgada

At first a simple village inhabited by fishermen attracted by its safe inlets, it soon came to be the main port of the island,
which justified the transfer of the custom-house to Ponta Delgada in 1518 and its being made capital of
São Miguel in 1546. Fortifications were built in the 16th and 17th century to defend it from corsair attacks.
Economic expansion led to the town's being enriched with palaces and churches in the 18th and 19th century.
After the landing by constitutional forces at Pesqueiro da Achadinha, in the north-eastern region, in 1831. Ponta Delgada
became the port of departure of the liberal expedition that went ashore in northern Portugal in 1832 and,
right after the siege of Oporto. Proclaimed the Constitutional Charter and Queen Mane II, daughter of D. Pedro IV
About 3.500 Azoreans, most of them from São Miguel, took part in the expedition. The building of the artificial port,
work on which was started in 1861, came to lend dynamism to Ponta Delgada, and several industries wore set up around it.
In 1947 the opening of the road artery called Avenida do Infante D. Henrique changed the appearance of the town
and hid the original ports of São Francisco and Caldeira da Ribeira de Valverde, closely linked to line island's history.

 The charm of the landscape
Caideira das Sete Cidades. Large crater with a perimeter of 12 km. The unforgettable scene of Lagoa Verde (literally, Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) framed by steep slopes covered with trees and flowers.
The banks and small peninsula of Lagoa Azul are an invitation to restful walks and picnics, to the enjoyment of peace and quiet. Legend attributes the different colour of the waters to line tears shed by a princess and a shepherd who wept when their love was thwarted and thus created the two lakes at the bottom of the crater. Inside the crater lies the picturesque village of Sete Cidades, with curious houses in a popular architectural style and a 19th c. neo-Gothic parish church, as well as green pastures and the modest but attractive lake called Santiago. Next to Lagoa Azul there is a picturesque garden with magnificent trees and masses of azaleas.
Belvederes of Vista do Rei (connected with King Carlos's visit in 1901) and Cerrado das Freiras. Interesting views from he road that has been built along part of the rim of the crater, with luxurious rows of hydrangeas. Successive lovely views along the road that connects the above mentioned Parish Church to the village of Várzea by crossing the mountains.
Pico do Carvão. A peak that provides broad views of the sea and the centre of the island, dominating the northern and southern coasts. Nearby lay Lakes Carvão, Canário and Rasa, besides other, smaller ones, surrounded by the cool green of the trees and pastures.
Lagoa do Fogo. The crater of an extinct volcano. An enormous lake with transparent waters Peninsula with beach. Atmosphere of great calm and beauty. Splendid vistas of the sea and mountains. Nearby lies Lakes Congro and Nenúfares,of small size but great beauty.
Furnas Valley. Huge hollow and luxurious garden in which the colour of the flowers is mixed with the bright green
 of the Japanese cedars and araucarias. Leafy vegetation from cold and tropical countries, with some species that are hard to find in their lands of origin, Calm and romantic Lake Furnas, with the Gothic profile of José do Canto's chapel - dedicated to Our Lady of Victories - reflected on its clear waters, invites the visitor to rest for a few minutes. On its banks are volcanic solfataras and the "natural kitchens" in which the famous dish called cozido is cooked by burying in the soil hermetically closed pots containing meat and vegetables.
The Caldeiras or craters are an area with diverse forms of volcanic activity, one the most spectacular being Caldeira de Pero Botelho with its boiling mud. Next to the Caldeiras are springs of thermal water at various temperatures. A full-fledged spa, with Pavilions and a hospital (19th c.), is integrated in this complex.
Based on plantations started by Thomas Hickling in the 18th century and continued in the 19th century, Terra Nostra Park, in the picturesque parish of Furnas, is a romantic vision of ponds, winding paths, flowers, centuries-old exotic trees and silence, Two streams converge in the park and there is a pond of warm thermal water that is used as a swimming-pool. A golf course and tennis courts are also part of the tourist complex of Furnas Valley.
The valley is crossed by two fast-flowing streams, one with cold water and the other with warm water coloured by iron in suspension. Typical water-mills exist.
Nearby lies the height called Pico de Ferro, a belvedere affording an expansive view of Furnas Valley. There are also a lot of small waterfalls.
Tronqueira. Grandiose scenery made up of ridges and passes, with magnificent vistas of greenery and the sea. Forestry park, The culminating point is Pico de Vara that, with an altitude of 1,080 metres, is the highest in the island. Excellent view of the eastern part of the island.

The magic of the sea

The indented coast of São Miguel provides sea-lovers with charming beaches nestling among cliffs, and also natural swimming-pools formed among the rocks.
São Pedro. Natural pool integrated in Ponta Delgada.
São Roque. The calm and family-type "beaches of Milicias or Areal Grande, and Areal Pequeno. Supporting facilities. Nearby lies Fort São Caetano.
Pópulo. Stretch of sand on a cosy bay, surrounded by verdant countryside. Pine grove on the slope of a dune. In the vicinity, the Chapel of Madonna del Popolo (17th c.), part of an old noble manor-house.
Lagoa (Baixa da Areia). Welcoming natural swimming-pool. Close to it lies the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Cabo de Finisterra.
Caloura. Picturesque fishing port. Natural pool. Diving and underwater observation centre.
Agua d'Alto. Long stretch of sand between two promontories.
Ribeira Chã. Quiet cosy beach.
Islet of Vila Franca do Campo. A natural shell with a small but charming beach. Can be reached only by boat. Nature reserve.
Ribeira Quente. Typical fishermen's village. Close by lies a quiet, lonely shell-like beach called Praia do Fogo. Along the access road, torrents of ferrous water and luxurious vegetation.
Porto Formoso. Typical parish. In the surroundings, there is a small isolated beach. Ruins of a former coastal defence fortress. To the west, Praia dos Moinhos, a broad stretch of sand with calm waters. Mouth of a stream with crystal-clear water.
Capelas. Village hanging over the sea. Natural swimming-pool. Broad views of the northern coast of the island from the hill called Morro das Capelas.
Mosteiros. Picturesque parish. Coast cut by inlets and rocks. Natural pool. In the vicinity, the islets of Mosteiros and Pico das Camarinhas, with curious vestiges of the island's original vegetation.

The joy of the festivs

The religious spirit of the Azorean is made keen by natural catastrophes and the isolation to which they were subjected for centuries, during which visits by ships were few and far between and inter-island relations were very weak, is expressed in forms that testify to the past and to a way of life that still persists.
Festivals of Senhor Santo Cristo at Ponta Deigada. The most important religious festivities in the Azores are held on the fifth Sunday after Easter.
Everything started at the end of the 17th century with the fame of the miracles obtained through the intercessors of the Senhor Santo Cristo (literally Lord Holy Christ), whose image is venerated in the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança. The procession dates from that period, and even nowadays follows the same itinerary and covers a large part of Ponta Delgada The procession comprises tens of thousands of the faithful who come from every island in the Azores, the Azorean communities spread over the world and other origins. At festival time the town is decorate with arches and fascinating illuminations. The streets where the procession passes are covered with carpets of artistically laid out flowers. The blessing of the bread and meat, distributed among the needy, marks the start of the festivities. This is followed on Sunday by the procession with the image under its famous baldachin decorated with flowers.
To the devotion shown by the faithful must be added the conviviality and joy of the profane part of the festivities, complete with fireworks and music played by dozens of bands. Ponta Delgada is transformed into a town full of colour and animation during the six days the festival lasts.

Festival of Born Jesus da Pedra - Vila Franca do Campo. The image of the Born Jesus (literally, Good Jesus) is carried Saturday evening to the church of São Miguel. It is returned in procession to the church of the Misericórdia on Sunday On the last week-end in August.

Folk art

The repetition of old patterns' shapes and the use of raw materials from the island itself characterises the handicrafts of São Miguel. Mats made from leaves of maize and flag, colourful dolls of maize husks representing picturesque figures in their regional costumes, artificial flowers made from fish scales, paper, cloth and feathers and wickerwork are examples of the works of art that come from practised and skilful hands. To which must be added the linen embroideries, the hand woven counterpanes with squares, lozenges and colourful fluting and the woollen caps worn by the shepherds.
The pottery tradition. The first inhabitants brought with them the art of clay modelling. Pottery making already has a centuries-old tradition at Vila Franca do Campo, which once had dozens of potteries in operation, using clay brought by sailing boats from the island of Santa Maria. Today only a few potters reproduce on its wheels the traditional shapes of bowes, trays, pots, pitchers, fanciful and elegant jars and the excellent miniatures that attract collectors.
Lagoa, a pottery centre that was born in the middle of the l9th century, soon gained great fame beyond the horizons of the Azores for the decoration shapes and glazing of its pieces, The skill and art of its potters goes far beyond the utilitarian and includes statuettes and figurines, decorative vases and glazed tiles.

Music and dancing

The nostalgia produced by the sea and isolation seems to exert a soothing influence on the tunes of the Azores. The dances take the form of bodies whirling about in time and beautiful gestures marked by the weight of tradition, with the colourful clothes of the women contrasting with the sober colours of the men.
To listen to and watch the Azoreans dance the sapateia, manjerico, pezinho, pezinho-da-vila, balho furado and cana-verde are to lift the veil a little on the soul of the islanders, marked for centuries by their isolation in the middle of the Atlantic. About thirty bands, spread all over the island, demonstrate the love the inhabitants of São Miguel have for music. They are always present at all the festivals and processions, and they usually perform from the graceful bandstands that exist in the gardens and public squares.

Traditional food specialities

The traditional old recipes remain alive in succulent dishes such as caldo azedo (a kind of soup), couves solteiras (prepared with cabbages). fervedouros, polvo guisado em vinho de cheiro (octopus stewed in local wine), torresmos em molho de figado (rashers of bacon with liver sauce), caldeiradas de peixe (fish stews), arroz de lapas (limpets with rice), ensopado de trutas (trout stew) and lapas de molho Afonso (limpets with a tasty sauce). To these must be added the curious cozido prepared at Furnas, where the pot containing meat and vegetables is buried in the soil wrapped in a cloth bag so that the volcanic heat can do its work... and several hours later it is ready to delight the palate with its flavour.
Lobster, cavaco, crabs and the strange goose barnacles, hidden in the holes they carve in the rocks, satisfy the needs of shellfish lovers. As regards cheese, São Miguel can offer a smooth white fresh variety made from goat's milk and the famous queijo da ilha, made from cow's milk and with a piquant flavour when dry. The old conventual recipes for desserts are the delight of people with a sweet-tooth. Examples are the queijadas (cheese-cakes) of Vila Franca do Campo, the concertos of Ribeira Grande, the bolo levedo of Furnas as well as the barriga-de-freira, massa sovada, bichos de amendoa and compota de capucho (a jam made from the small fruit of a herbaceous plant). The Caloura region produces a wine called vinho de cheiro or morangueiro, which is light and has a characteristic flavour. The liqueurs made from passion-fruit and pineapples are agreeable ways of concluding a meal.

Pineapples, tea... and tobacco. One of the curious things about São Miguel is the hot-houses for pineapples, which produce flavoursome, sweet fruits all year round for markets in many European countries. The main concentrations of hot-houses are situated in the areas of Faja de Cima, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo. Tea, that delicious beverage brought from China, is also produced on plantations that attract attention because of the unusual and charming sight of the green tea bushes covering hills and dales, divided into fields by hedges of araucarias and Japanese cedars.
Tea growing got under way in the late l9th century and in 1878 two Chinese came to São Miguel to teach the islanders the complex tasks involved in its preparation. The main plantations are located at Gorreana, next to the old Chapel of Senhora do Resgate. Another plant that finds optimum conditions for its development in the sub-tropical climate of the Azores is tobacco, which is grown almost everywhere in the land and is manufactured locally.

Sporting holidays

A golf course on the gentle hills of Furnas, bordered by hydrangeas. Tennis courts. The practice of sailing, rowing and windsurfing in the Ponta Delgada area, off the beaches and also on the lakes. Climbing steep slopes. Activities that Sao Miguel affords to those who want sporting holidays. Complemented by the opportunity to take reinvigorating walks in verdant and flower-covered areas, breathing pure air, discovering the many hues of blue of the sea and sky and the green of a landscape that is always attractive, charming and refreshing.