In 1427 the Portuguese navigator Gonçalo Velho Cabral discovered Santa Maria Island and in 1457 all the other islands of the archipelago had already been visited. The settlement of the islands began in 1439 with people mainly from the Portuguese continent. In the following centuries, some settlers from other European regions, such as Flanders and the North of France, arrived into the archipelago. The islands were administered by noblemen referred as “captains of the donatários” and the settlers began the planting of crops and other plants, specially the “dye” plant. In 1976 the archipelago became the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The archipelago of the Azores is located in the northeast of the Atlantic Ocean and it comprises nine islands divided into three distinct groups: the Western Group – Flores and Corvo; the Central Group – Faial, Graciosa, Pico, S. Jorge e Terceira and the Eastern group – Santa Maria e S. Miguel. Included in the Eastern Group the Formigas Islets are some rocks and reefs located on the northeast side of Santa Maria Island. The highest point of the archipelago is on the island of Pico – Mount Pico – with 2 352 metres. The Azorean orography is very rough.

The climate is mild. The average air temperature is 13ºC in the winter and 24ºC in the summer. The temperature of the sea water varies between the17ºC and the 23ºC. The air is humid and the average of humidity is around 75%. There are some tropical or subtropical storms now and then.

In the last few decades the population has increased and there are 246 102 inhabitants now. However, in Graciosa, Flores and Santa Maria the number of inhabitants is shrinking while there is more population in the islands with greater economic and administrative activities. S. Miguel is the island with the highest number of inhabitants.

There is a rich and varied monumental heritage in the archipelago. The main architectural style is the baroque. Angra do Heroísmo was classified by Unesco as “world heritage” city. Whale hunting, long gone, gave place to magnificent pieces made of the bones and teeth of various species of whales that can now be seen in some museums of Faial and Pico. The most common musical instrument, the ”viola da terra” is played in the islands , while veres created on the spot are sung (cantigas ao desafio). The lyrical character of the people is reflected in the work of several well-known Azorean poets and writers. For example, Antero de Quental and Natália Correia are widely read in Portugal and in other countries as well. The main religious festivals are the “Holy Ghost” ( Festa do Divino Espírito Santo) and the “Lord Holy Christ of Miracles” ( Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres) . During Lent there are some Pilgrimages around the island of S. Miguel.

Gastronomy is rich and diverse. The regional dishes vary from “Beef Broth” (Sopas do Espírito Santo) to fish soup, fried “chicharros” (a small fish), “assado misto” (a meat speciality prepared with beef, pork, chicken and bacon) sweet bread and “bolos lêvedos”.Pastry is also rich and different from island to island. Tea drunk in the region is produced on local plantations.