GEOGRAPHY
São Miguel is the largest of the Azorean islands and its capital Ponta Delgada both the busiest harbour and largest town. After Horta it is the next most popular port of call for yachts, especially for those arriving from Europe. Although over half of the population of the Azores live on this island, there are still large areas of uninhabited great natural beauty.
The island is 65 km long and never more than 16 km wide with two high volcanic areas separated by a lower central area, which is the agricultural heartland of the island with both livestock grazing and crops grown in tidy fields. It is from the green fields in this area that the island derived its local name, "ilha verde", green island.
HISTORY
Ponta Delgada was not always the most prominent town, as after the settlement of the island in 1444, the capital was first established at Vila Franca do Campo. Vila Franca thrived until 1522 when an earthquake and mudslide completely destroyed the town, killing the magority of its 5000 inhabitants. After this disaster, the capital was moved to Ponta Delgada.
Vila Franca do Campo recovered and figures prominently in the history of the island, mainly in battles with the Spanish.
In 1582 the Spanish defeated a combined French and Portuguese fleet off Vila Franca and the island was occupied by the Spanish. Only when Portugal regained its independence did São Miguel prosper as a trading centre once more. The early crops of wheat, sugar cane and woad were complemented by maize, yams, sweet potatoes and oranges.
The export of oranges to England was a great money earner in the 18th century, until 1860, when the trees were destroyed by blight. Since then the farmers have introduced various new crops such as pineapples and tea.
In the 20th century, the development of the fishing and agricultural industries helped to reactivate the economy and contribute to the economical growth of the present. Today São Miguel, one of the political and administrative centres of the Region, and Seat of the Regional Government of the Azores, is an island with a diversified economy that is making great progress.
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