| Santa Maria (Azores) | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Portugal |
|---|---|
| Region | Azores |
| Surface | 97 km² |
| Inhabitants | 5.511 (2003) |
| Tourism site | |
| Institutional website | |
Saint Mary (or Ilha de Santa Maria) is one of the Azores islands.
To know
Geographical notes
Santa Maria, the southernmost of the Azores, is about 85 km south of São Miguel and, together with this, is part of the eastern group ofarchipelago.
Santa Maria consists largely of a plateau that rises to an average altitude of 200 m. Its maximum height is represented by Mount Pico (590 meters above sea level).
Its coasts are high and steep surrounded by numerous rocks. Off the Punta del Castello (Ponta do Castelo) in the stretch of east coast are the "Ants" (Ilhéus das Formigas in Portuguese), basalt peaks of a submerged mountain ridge.
Background
According to some sources, Santa Maria was the first island on which a European explorer set foot. The honor went to the navigator Portuguese Diogo de Silves who arrived there in 1427 from Madeira. Christopher Columbus made a stopover there in February 1493 on his return from his first trip to the New World.
According to some geologists Santa Maria was the first island of the Azores to be formed. The hypothesis is supported by the discovery of fossils but also by the fact that, unlike its sisters, the island has not known recent volcanic activity.
Territories and tourist destinations
Santa Maria (Azores): full screen map.Urban centers
- São Lourenço - Village on a wide bay on the east coast sheltered from the winds.
- Vila do Porto - Capital of the island, Vila do Porto it extends over a bay on the southern coast.
Other destinations
- Praia Formosa - A golden beach east of the capital and which hosts a music festival in August.
- Praia dos Anjos - The place where Christopher Columbus landed on his return from his 1st voyage of exploration in the New World.
- Reserva Florestal de Recreio das Fontinhas
How to get
By plane
Daily flights from the neighboring island of São Miguel. The flight by plane takes just half an hour.
There is also a maritime connection with the island of São Miguel twice a week but only in the summer. The crossing by sea takes four hours.
How to get around
What see
Events and parties
- June
- Feast of Santo Antonio. It occurs in the second week of June.
- Feast of San Giovanni. It occurs on June 23.
- August
- Feast of the Assumption. It occurs on August 15th and takes place in Vila do Porto.
- August Sea Festival. Music festival that occurs in the third week of August and takes place in Praia Formosa.
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Santa Maria (Azores)
Commons contains images or other files on Santa Maria (Azores)
