50 Best Places to Visit in Europe – An Overview With Top Tips
50 Best Places to Visit in Europe – An Overview With Top Tips · 1. Svalbard, Norway · 2. Azores Islands, Portugal · 3. Lofoten Islands, Norway · 4 .Westfjords, ...
Sao Miguel
If you’re short on time and aren’t sure where to start – the largest and most accessible of the islands is <anchor>Sao Miguel</anchor>. It’s filled with spectacular volcanic landscapes, hot springs, hiking trails, beautiful lakes, and is the number one destination for whale and dolphin watching in Europe.
São Miguel Island - Wikipedia
São Miguel Island - Wikipedia[Jump to content](#bodyContent)

Main menu

Main menu

move to sidebarhide

Navigation


- [Main page](/wiki/Main_Page "Visit the main page [z]")
- [Contents](/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents "Guides to browsing Wikipedia")
- [Current events](/wiki/Portal:Current_events "Articles related to current events")
- [Random article](/wiki/Special:Random "Visit a randomly selected article [x]")
- [About Wikipedia](/wiki/Wikipedia:About "Learn about Wikipedia and how it works")
- [Contact us](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us "How to contact Wikipedia")
- [Donate](https://donate.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FundraiserRedirector?utm_source=donate&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=C13_en.wikipedia.org&uselang=en "Support us by donating to the Wikimedia Foundation")

Contribute


- [Help](/wiki/Help:Contents "Guidance on how to use and edit Wikipedia")
- [Learn to edit](/wiki/Help:Introduction "Learn how to edit Wikipedia")
- [Community portal](/wiki/Wikipedia:Community_portal "The hub for editors")
- [Recent changes](/wiki/Special:RecentChanges "A list of recent changes to Wikipedia [r]")
- [Upload file](/wiki/Wikipedia:File_upload_wizard "Add images or other media for use on Wikipedia")

[![](/static/images/icons/wikipedia.png)![Wikipedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-wordmark-en.svg)![The Free Encyclopedia](/static/images/mobile/copyright/wikipedia-tagline-en.svg)](/wiki/Main_Page)

[Search](/wiki/Special:Search "Search Wikipedia [f]")

Search

Appearance

- [Create account](/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=S%C3%A3o+Miguel+Island "You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory")
- [Log in](/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=S%C3%A3o+Miguel+Island "You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]")

Personal tools

- [Create account](/w/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=S%C3%A3o+Miguel+Island "You are encouraged to create an account and log in; however, it is not mandatory")
- [Log in](/w/index.php?title=Special:UserLogin&returnto=S%C3%A3o+Miguel+Island "You're encouraged to log in; however, it's not mandatory. [o]")

Pages for logged out editors [learn more](/wiki/Help:Introduction)

- [Contributions](/wiki/Special:MyContributions "A list of edits made from this IP address [y]")
- [Talk](/wiki/Special:MyTalk "Discussion about edits from this IP address [n]")

## Contents

move to sidebarhide

- (Top)

- [1History](#History)
- [2Geography](#Geography)Toggle Geography subsection  - [2.1Geology](#Geology)
  - [2.2Biome](#Biome)
  - [2.3Climate](#Climate)
  - [2.4Human geography](#Human_geography)
- [3Transport](#Transport)
- [4Notable citizens](#Notable_citizens)
- [5References](#References)
- [6External links](#External_links)

Toggle the table of contents

# São Miguel Island

52 languages

- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%88_%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%BA%D9%8A%D9%84 "جزيرة ساو ميغيل – Arabic")
- [বাংলা](https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%89_%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2_%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%AA "সাঁউ মিগেল দ্বীপ – Bangla")
- [Беларуская](https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%9C%D1%96%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BB "Сан-Мігел – Belarusian")
- [Brezhoneg](https://br.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enez_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Enez São Miguel – Breton")
- [Català](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illa_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Illa de São Miguel – Catalan")
- [Cebuano](https://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(pulo_sa_Portugal) "Ilha de São Miguel (pulo sa Portugal) – Cebuano")
- [Čeština](https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Czech")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – German")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Estonian")
- [Ελληνικά](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A3%CE%AC%CE%BF_%CE%9C%CE%B9%CE%B3%CE%BA%CE%AD%CE%BB "Σάο Μιγκέλ – Greek")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_San_Miguel_(Azores) "Isla de San Miguel (Azores) – Spanish")
- [Esperanto](https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulo_Sanmigelo "Insulo Sanmigelo – Esperanto")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_uhartea "São Miguel uhartea – Basque")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AC%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%87_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%88_%D9%85%DB%8C%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%A6%D9%84 "جزیره سائو میگوئل – Persian")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(%C3%AEle) "São Miguel (île) – French")
- [Frysk](https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(eil%C3%A2n) "São Miguel (eilân) – Western Frisian")
- [Galego](https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illa_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Illa de São Miguel – Galician")
- [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%83%81%EB%AF%B8%EA%B2%94%EC%84%AC "상미겔섬 – Korean")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Croatian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulau_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Pulau São Miguel – Indonesian")
- [Italiano](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(Azzorre) "São Miguel (Azzorre) – Italian")
- [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%90%D7%95_%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%92%D7%9C "סאו מיגל – Hebrew")
- [Kiswahili](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Swahili")
- [Latviešu](https://lv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanmigela_(Azoru_salas) "Sanmigela (Azoru salas) – Latvian")
- [Lietuvių](https://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Migelis_(Azorai) "San Migelis (Azorai) – Lithuanian")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(sziget) "São Miguel (sziget) – Hungarian")
- [Македонски](https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BE_%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BB_(%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2) "Сао Мигел (остров) – Macedonian")
- [مصرى](https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9_%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%88_%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%8A%D9%84 "جزيرة ساو ميجيل – Egyptian Arabic")
- [Bahasa Melayu](https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulau_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Pulau São Miguel – Malay")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(eiland) "São Miguel (eiland) – Dutch")
- [日本語](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9F%E3%82%B2%E3%83%AB%E5%B3%B6 "サンミゲル島 – Japanese")
- [Nordfriisk](https://frr.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Northern Frisian")
- [Norsk bokmål](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Norwegian Bokmål")
- [Norsk nynorsk](https://nn.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Norwegian Nynorsk")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Polish")
- [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Ilha de São Miguel – Portuguese")
- [Română](https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insula_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Insula São Miguel – Romanian")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BB_(%D0%90%D0%B7%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5_%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0) "Сан-Мигел (Азорские острова) – Russian")
- [Sicilianu](https://scn.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(Azzorre) "São Miguel (Azzorre) – Sicilian")
- [Simple English](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "São Miguel Island – Simple English")
- [Slovenčina](https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Slovak")
- [Slovenščina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(otok) "São Miguel (otok) – Slovenian")
- [Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(otok) "São Miguel (otok) – Serbo-Croatian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Finnish")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel "São Miguel – Swedish")
- [தமிழ்](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%8B_%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%81 "சாவோ மிக்கல் தீவு – Tamil")
- [ไทย](https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A5 "เกาะเซามีแกล – Thai")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Adas%C4%B1 "São Miguel Adası – Turkish")
- [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%9C%D1%96%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%BB_(%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D1%96%D0%B2) "Сан-Мігел (острів) – Ukrainian")
- [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(%C4%91%E1%BA%A3o) "São Miguel (đảo) – Vietnamese")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%81%96%E7%B1%B3%E6%A0%BC%E7%88%BE%E5%B3%B6 "聖米格爾島 – Chinese")

[Edit links](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q209036#sitelinks-wikipedia "Edit interlanguage links")

- [Article](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "View the content page [c]")
- [Talk](/wiki/Talk:S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "Discuss improvements to the content page [t]")

English

- [Read](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island)
- [Edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit "Edit this page [e]")
- [View history](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=history "Past revisions of this page [h]")

Tools

Tools

move to sidebarhide

Actions


- [Read](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island)
- [Edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit "Edit this page [e]")
- [View history](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=history)

General


- [What links here](/wiki/Special:WhatLinksHere/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "List of all English Wikipedia pages containing links to this page [j]")
- [Related changes](/wiki/Special:RecentChangesLinked/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "Recent changes in pages linked from this page [k]")
- [Upload file](/wiki/Wikipedia:File_Upload_Wizard "Upload files [u]")
- [Special pages](/wiki/Special:SpecialPages "A list of all special pages [q]")
- [Permanent link](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&oldid=1240476363 "Permanent link to this revision of this page")
- [Page information](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=info "More information about this page")
- [Cite this page](/w/index.php?title=Special:CiteThisPage&page=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&id=1240476363&wpFormIdentifier=titleform "Information on how to cite this page")
- [Get shortened URL](/w/index.php?title=Special:UrlShortener&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FS%25C3%25A3o_Miguel_Island)
- [Download QR code](/w/index.php?title=Special:QrCode&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FS%25C3%25A3o_Miguel_Island)
- [Wikidata item](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q209036 "Structured data on this page hosted by Wikidata [g]")

Print/export


- [Download as PDF](/w/index.php?title=Special:DownloadAsPdf&page=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=show-download-screen "Download this page as a PDF file")
- [Printable version](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&printable=yes "Printable version of this page [p]")

In other projects


- [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel)
- [Wikivoyage](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel)

Appearance

move to sidebarhide

[Coordinates](/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system "Geographic coordinate system"): [37°46′43″N25°29′42″W﻿ / ﻿37.77861°N 25.49500°W﻿ / 37.77861; -25.49500](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&params=37_46_43_N_25_29_42_W_type:isle_region:PT-20)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores

São Miguel Island

Native name:

Ilha de São Miguel

Nickname: The Green Island

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_Azores_ESA399763.jpg/260px-S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_Azores_ESA399763.jpg)](/wiki/File:S%C3%A3o_Miguel,_Azores_ESA399763.jpg)

Satellite image of the island

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Sao_Miguel-pos.png/260px-Sao_Miguel-pos.png)](/wiki/File:Sao_Miguel-pos.png)

Location of the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores

GeographyLocation[Atlantic Ocean](/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean "Atlantic Ocean")Coordinates[37°46′43″N25°29′42″W﻿ / ﻿37.77861°N 25.49500°W﻿ / 37.77861; -25.49500](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&params=37_46_43_N_25_29_42_W_type:isle_region:PT-20)Archipelago[Azores](/wiki/Azores "Azores")Area744.55 km2 (287.47 sq mi)[\[1\]](#cite_note-siaram-1)Coastline224.52 km (139.51 mi)[\[1\]](#cite_note-siaram-1)Highest elevation1,105 m (3625 ft)[\[1\]](#cite_note-siaram-1)Highest point[Pico da Vara](/wiki/Pico_da_Vara "Pico da Vara")Administration

**![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png)[Portugal](/wiki/Portugal "Portugal")**

[Autonomous Region](/wiki/Autonomous_Regions_of_Portugal "Autonomous Regions of Portugal")[Azores](/wiki/Azores "Azores")[Municipalities](/wiki/Municipalities_of_Portugal "Municipalities of Portugal")

- [Lagoa](/wiki/Lagoa_Municipality_(Azores) "Lagoa Municipality (Azores)")
- [Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada_Municipality "Ponta Delgada Municipality")
- [Povoação](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Municipality "Povoação Municipality")
- [Nordeste](/wiki/Nordeste_Municipality "Nordeste Municipality")
- [Ribeira Grande](/wiki/Ribeira_Grande_(Azores) "Ribeira Grande (Azores)")
- [Vila Franca do Campo](/wiki/Vila_Franca_do_Campo_Municipality "Vila Franca do Campo Municipality")
- [Ribeira Quente](/wiki/Ribeira_Quente "Ribeira Quente")

Capital and largest city[Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada "Ponta Delgada") (pop. 68,809)DemographicsDemonym_Micaelense_Population![Decrease](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Decrease2.svg/11px-Decrease2.svg.png) 133,295 (2021)Languages[Portuguese](/wiki/Portuguese_language "Portuguese language")Ethnic groups[Portuguese](/wiki/Portuguese_people "Portuguese people")Additional information[Time zone](/wiki/Time_zone "Time zone")

- [UTC−01:00](/wiki/UTC%E2%88%9201:00 "UTC−01:00")

**São Miguel Island** (pronounced[\[ˈsɐ̃wmiˈɣɛl\]](/wiki/Help:IPA/Portuguese "Help:IPA/Portuguese"); [Portuguese](/wiki/Portuguese_language "Portuguese language") for ' [Saint Michael](/wiki/Michael_(archangel) "Michael (archangel)")'), nicknamed "The Green Island" (_Ilha Verde_), is the largest and most populous island in the [Portuguese](/wiki/Portugal "Portugal") [archipelago](/wiki/Archipelago "Archipelago") of the [Azores](/wiki/Azores "Azores"). The island covers 760 km2 (290 sq mi) and has around 140,000 inhabitants, with 45,000 people residing in [Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada "Ponta Delgada"), the archipelago's largest city.

## History

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Desembarcoislasterceiras.jpg/235px-Desembarcoislasterceiras.jpg)](/wiki/File:Desembarcoislasterceiras.jpg) The landing of the Spanish Tercios at Terceira during the [Portuguese succession crisis of 1580](/wiki/Portuguese_succession_crisis_of_1580 "Portuguese succession crisis of 1580")[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Azores-StMichael1845.jpg/235px-Azores-StMichael1845.jpg)](/wiki/File:Azores-StMichael1845.jpg) An 1845 engraving of the island of São Miguel (west is up)

In 1427, São Miguel became the second of the islands discovered by [Gonçalo Velho Cabral](/wiki/Gon%C3%A7alo_Velho_Cabral "Gonçalo Velho Cabral") to be settled by colonists from continental Portugal. This date is uncertain, as it is believed that the island was discovered between 1426 and 1437 and inscribed in [portolans](/wiki/Portolan "Portolan") from the middle of the 15th century. Its discovery was later recorded by [Father](/wiki/Priesthood_(Catholic_Church) "Priesthood (Catholic Church)") [Gaspar Frutuoso](/wiki/Gaspar_Frutuoso "Gaspar Frutuoso") in the seminal history of the Azores, _Saudades da Terra_, as he began: "This island of São Miguel where...we are, is mountainous and covered in ravines, and it was, when we discovered it, covered in trees...due to its humidity, with its water showers and ravines warm with sun..."

It was sometime after the initial settlement of [Povoação Velha](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_(parish) "Povoação (parish)") (on the southeastern coast) that (between 1439 and 1444) a volcanic eruption occurred in the crater of Sete Cidades (then uninhabited). There are no records of the precise date, but Gaspar Frutuoso noted that navigators returning to São Miguel (soon after its discovery) encountered the western part of the island completely changed and tree trunks and pumice stone floating in the waters around the island. After docking in Povoação, the settlers reported feeling tremors and aftershocks; "...those settlers living in their earthen holes of straw and hay, heard almost within a year a great loud noise, roars and snorts that came from the earth with large tremors still proceeded the subversion and fire from the peak that had disappeared."

In the early 15th century, [Prince Henry the Navigator](/wiki/Prince_Henry_the_Navigator "Prince Henry the Navigator") first authorized the settlement of the Azores, and many settlers from the historical provinces of [Estremadura](/wiki/Estremadura_Province_(historical) "Estremadura Province (historical)"), [Alto Alentejo](/wiki/Alto_Alentejo_Province "Alto Alentejo Province"), [Algarve](/wiki/Algarve "Algarve") and [Madeira](/wiki/Madeira "Madeira") travelled to São Miguel, under the _Carta Régia_ (a decree of the regency). The fertile soils and temperate climate attracted settlers from other countries, notably [French](/wiki/French_people "French people") and [Flemish people](/wiki/Flemish_people "Flemish people"). Cultural minorities such as Sephardic Jewish [New Christians](/wiki/New_Christian "New Christian") are believed to have comprised as much as 20% of the island's population (i.e., many had surnames such as 'Pereira, Pimentel, Dias, Menezes, Oliveira, Nunes, Mendes, Rodrigues, Pinto etc.), and some [Moors](/wiki/Moors "Moors") were exiled to the island during the inquisition. Its geographic position and fertile soils permitted rapid economic development. The establishment of a military garrison made the island an obligatory port-of-call in the African and Asian commercial trade, while the export of [sugar](/wiki/Sugar "Sugar"), and later [orchil](/wiki/Orchil "Orchil") (a dye exported to [Flanders](/wiki/Flanders "Flanders") for the making of cloth) stabilized the island's export trade.

The first capital of the island was [Vila Franca do Campo](/wiki/Vila_Franca_do_Campo "Vila Franca do Campo"), which was devastated by the [1522 Vila Franca earthquake](/wiki/1522_Vila_Franca_earthquake "1522 Vila Franca earthquake") and landslides. The tragedy helped to elevate [Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada "Ponta Delgada") to the administrative and economic status of capital and business centre from 1546.

During the [Portuguese succession crisis of 1580](/wiki/Portuguese_succession_crisis_of_1580 "Portuguese succession crisis of 1580"), the people from São Miguel won the naval [Battle of Vila Franca](/wiki/Battle_of_Vila_Franca "Battle of Vila Franca") against a French squadron that supported the claims of the [pretender](/wiki/Pretender "Pretender") [António, Prior of Crato](/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio,_Prior_of_Crato "António, Prior of Crato").

With the [Portuguese Restoration War](/wiki/Portuguese_Restoration_War "Portuguese Restoration War") (1640), the island regained its position as a commercial centre, establishing new contacts in [Brazil](/wiki/Brazil "Brazil"), which was heavily colonized during this period. Some of the island's historic buildings, including mansions and churches, date from this period; the island's architectural expansion and developed came from revenues from the export of oranges, mainly to [Great Britain](/wiki/Great_Britain "Great Britain").

In 1831, during the [Liberal Wars](/wiki/Liberal_Wars "Liberal Wars"), following the landing of troops loyal to Queen [Maria II](/wiki/Maria_II_of_Portugal "Maria II of Portugal") in Nordeste (sent by future [Duke of Terceira](/wiki/Duke_of_Terceira "Duke of Terceira")), a resistance to the Absolutist regime on the Island was organized. In 1832, this militia declared allegiance to the Charter (constitutional monarchy) and Queen Maria, forming a contingent that sailed to the continent where they were involved in the liberation of Porto.

Following the Liberal Wars, the period of [Devourism](/wiki/History_of_Portugal_(1834%E2%80%931910)#Devourism "History of Portugal (1834–1910)") allowed the economy to flourish, and the port of Ponta Delgada expanded, through the export of new crops such as [tea](/wiki/Tea "Tea"), [pineapple](/wiki/Pineapple "Pineapple"), and [tobacco](/wiki/Tobacco "Tobacco"). The development of the fishing industry, cultivation of food staples and expansion of the dairy industry permitted the growth of many of the population centres on the island.

Following the [Carnation Revolution](/wiki/Carnation_Revolution "Carnation Revolution"), the island received the seat of the Presidency of the [Autonomous Region of the Azores](/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_Government_of_the_Azores "List of Presidents of the Government of the Azores"), located in Ponta Delgada, while its economic, social and political importance continued to grow within the archipelago.

## Geography

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Geography")\]

### Geology

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Geology")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Lagoa_do_Fogo_on_Sao_Miguel_in_the_Azores_of_Portugal_on_the_planet_Earth.jpg/235px-Lagoa_do_Fogo_on_Sao_Miguel_in_the_Azores_of_Portugal_on_the_planet_Earth.jpg)](/wiki/File:Lagoa_do_Fogo_on_Sao_Miguel_in_the_Azores_of_Portugal_on_the_planet_Earth.jpg) _Lagoa do Fogo_ (English: Lake of Fire), as seen from Miradouro da Serra da Barrosa, along the [Água de Pau Massif](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif")[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Lagoa_das_Furnas%2C_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_Arquip%C3%A9lago_dos_A%C3%A7ores%2C_Portugal.JPG/235px-Lagoa_das_Furnas%2C_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_Arquip%C3%A9lago_dos_A%C3%A7ores%2C_Portugal.JPG)](/wiki/File:Lagoa_das_Furnas,_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel,_Arquip%C3%A9lago_dos_A%C3%A7ores,_Portugal.JPG) _Lagoa das Furnas_[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Sao_Miguel_Green_Island.jpg/235px-Sao_Miguel_Green_Island.jpg)](/wiki/File:Sao_Miguel_Green_Island.jpg) Pasturelands in the _Picos_ region: the debris field that joined the _Sete Cidades Massif_ and _[Água de Pau Massif](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif")_ that united the island of São Miguel.[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/IlhadeS%C3%A3oMiguel2022OSM.png/235px-IlhadeS%C3%A3oMiguel2022OSM.png)](/wiki/File:IlhadeS%C3%A3oMiguel2022OSM.png) Detailed map of São Miguel Island

São Miguel is bisected by many [faults](/wiki/Fault_(geology) "Fault (geology)") from the northwest to southeast in the direction of the [Terceira Rift](/wiki/Terceira_Rift "Terceira Rift"), a triple junction of the [African](/wiki/African_Plate "African Plate"), [Eurasian](/wiki/Eurasian_Plate "Eurasian Plate"), and [North American](/wiki/North_American_Plate "North American Plate") [tectonic plates](/wiki/List_of_tectonic_plates "List of tectonic plates"). This system is best expressed in the western part of the island with extensive geological formations, such as the Mosteiros [Graben](/wiki/Graben "Graben") (along the western flank of the Sete Cidades Massif), the Ribeira Grande Graben (along the northern flank of the [Água de Pau Massif](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif")), and the many cones and fissural structures along the interior of the island. In the ancient crater of Furnas the faults are aligned west-northwest to east-southeast. Zbysewsky (1959), among others (note references) identifies eight [geomorphological](/wiki/Geomorphology "Geomorphology") structures on São Miguel that correspond to the formative features that built the island, including:

- The [Sete Cidades Massif](/wiki/Sete_Cidades_Massif "Sete Cidades Massif") – an area that occupies the extreme western part of the island, and corresponds to a central [volcanic crater](/wiki/Volcanic_crater "Volcanic crater") and lake-filled [caldera](/wiki/Caldera "Caldera"), with various cones, deposits of [pumice](/wiki/Pumice "Pumice"), lava [domes](/wiki/Domes "Domes") and [maars](/wiki/Maar "Maar"). In the northeastern flank of this volcano the Mosteiros [Graben](/wiki/Graben "Graben"), a tectonic structure created from the collapse of lands and located along a northwest to southeast orientation. Along other regional fractures and radial faults there are ancient [spatter cones](/wiki/Spatter_cone "Spatter cone") and [lava domes](/wiki/Lava_dome "Lava dome");
- The [Picos Volcanic System](/wiki/Picos_Volcanic_System "Picos Volcanic System") or Picos Region – is situated along a northwest–southeast alignment, and defines a range of spatter cones and relatively level ground between the Sete Cidades and the Água de Pau Massifs;
- The [Água de Pau Massif](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif") – this central feature corresponds to the central volcano on the island, and includes the _Lagoa do Fogo_ (Lake of Fire), many lava domes and [pumice cones](/wiki/Pumice_cone "Pumice cone"). On the northeastern flank of the Massif the Ribeira Grande [Graben](/wiki/Graben "Graben") is visible, representing a tectonic depression oriented northwest to southeast;
- The [Achada das Furnas Plateau](/wiki/Congro_Volcanic_Fissural_System "Congro Volcanic Fissural System") – a region with a central plain marked by cones and maars, with deposits along a west-northwest to east-southeast and northwest to southeast;
- Furnas Volcano – located in the eastern part of the island, along the southern coast, and comprising two ancient calderas, occupied by a lake ( _Lagoa das Furnas_). Within the system one can find many pumice cones, maars and lava domes;
- Povoação Volcano – comprising a central caldera, generally well-eroded and whose southern rim has disappeared to the southern coast. Within its interior, marked by several river-valleys and cliffs, are several spatter cones;
- The Tronqueira Region – it occupies the extreme easterly portion of the island and corresponds to a mountainous region, divided by many river-valleys that are usually delineated by tectonic fractures;
- The Northern Coastal Platform – located along the northeastern portion of the island, and marks a zone of relatively moderate topography, limited by the coast to the north and the northern crater rims of Furnas and Povoação volcanoes to the south.

São Miguel comprises six volcanic zones; all are [Quaternary](/wiki/Quaternary "Quaternary") in age except the last, which is partly [Pliocene](/wiki/Pliocene "Pliocene"). From west to east these zones are: the trachyte stratovolcano of the Sete Cidades Massif; a field of alkali-basalt cinder cones and lava flows with minor trachyte; the trachyte stratovolcano of the [Água de Pau Massif](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif"); a field of alkali-basalt cinder cones and lava flows with minor trachyte and tristanite; the trachyte stratovolcano of Furnas; and the Nordeste shield, which includes the Povoação caldera and consists of alkali basalt, tristanite and trachyte.[\[2\]](#cite_note-M_1-2) Dormancy ages for these regions include: 400 year for Sete Cidades, 145 for zone 2, 1150 for Água de Pau, and 370 for Furnas, while eruptions in the Nordeste have not occurred in the past 3000 years.[\[2\]](#cite_note-M_1-2)

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Ginetes_visto_do_alto_da_Caldeira_das_Sete_Cidades_%28Portugal%29.jpg/235px-Ginetes_visto_do_alto_da_Caldeira_das_Sete_Cidades_%28Portugal%29.jpg)](/wiki/File:Ginetes_visto_do_alto_da_Caldeira_das_Sete_Cidades_(Portugal).jpg) [Ginetes](/wiki/Ginetes "Ginetes"), situated in the westernmost part of the island, near the coast[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Sao_Miguel_Whale_Watching.jpg/235px-Sao_Miguel_Whale_Watching.jpg)](/wiki/File:Sao_Miguel_Whale_Watching.jpg) A species of [common dolphins](/wiki/Common_dolphin "Common dolphin") seen during one of whale watching tours

These geomorphological structures have resulted from millions of years of compound growth that began in the eastern portion of the island; around 4 million years ago the Nordeste Volcano burst from the ocean floor in effusive and fissural eruptions. These eruptions were composed of basaltic lava flows and spatter cones whose products reached a height of 1,100 metres (3,600 ft) forming the mountainous region of Tronqueiro, Planalto dos Graminhais, Espigão dos Bois and Pico Verde (finding its maximum extent in Pico da Vara). But, about 950,000 years ago a secondary volcano system (Volcanic Complex of Povoação) supplanted the eruptions of the Nordeste Volcano, responsible for new basaltic lavas and pyroclastic deposits. With an age of 200,000 years the third volcano on São Miguel, the [Água de Pau Volcano](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif") started erupting on the western flank of Povoação volcano in two phases. The first phase, composed of the older materials, erupted from lava flows and Trachyte pyroclasts, the secondary phase corresponded to volcanic products that began erupting 400,000 years ago. These latter deposits included pyroclastic, trachyte flows (lava and surges), mud flows and a mixture of basalts. In what would become the western portion of the island a fourth volcano formed: the Sete Cidades Volcano erupted 200,000 years ago and continued to erupt until about 36,000 years ago.

Between 100,000 and 3,800 years ago fissural eruptions of integrated lava and basaltic pyroclastic deposits occurred in the center of the island between Água de Pau and Povoação, forming the [Fissural Volcanic System of Congro](/wiki/Congro_Volcanic_Fissural_System "Congro Volcanic Fissural System"). These eruptions were explosive and fed by activities in the neighboring volcanic systems. At about 100,000 years a secondary system developed along the frontier of the Povoação volcano, the "Furnas Volcano" complex (the youngest volcanic system) in three phases mixing [pyroclastic surges](/wiki/Pyroclastic_surge "Pyroclastic surge"), [trachytes](/wiki/Trachytes "Trachytes"), and lava flows, as well as explosive materials. Finally, two layers of deposits formed the [Fissural Volcanic System of Picos](/wiki/Picos_Volcanic_Fissural_System "Picos Volcanic Fissural System") between the volcanic [Água de Pau](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau_Massif "Água de Pau Massif") and Sete Cidades from 31,000 years ago unifying the island. This formation integrated lavas, basaltic pyroclasts, [tuff cones](/wiki/Tuff_cone "Tuff cone") and [trachyte domes](/wiki/Lave#Lave_domes "Lave") into two layers (referred to as the Ponta Delgada and Penhal da Paz sub-deposits) and compiled to about 5,000 years ago.

The peak area between Sete Cidades and Fogo is a [monogenetic volcanic field](/wiki/Monogenetic_volcanic_field "Monogenetic volcanic field") composed of 270 volcanoes. They are primarily made up of [basaltic](/wiki/Basaltic "Basaltic") cones which were formed during Strombolian and Hawaiian-style eruptions. This is the part of the island with the most recent volcanic activity. The youngest volcanoes are relatively well dated. It is estimated\[ _[by whom?](/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions "Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch")_\] that 19 eruptions have occurred during the last 3,000 years. Several eruptions have been witnessed and recorded by people. The last one took place in the 17th century. The most famous eruption is known as Fogo 2, which occurred in 1652.

### Biome

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Biome")\]

The ancient _[laurisilva](/wiki/Laurisilva "Laurisilva")_ forest has mostly been replaced by cultivated fields and imported trees and plants, such as the ubiquitous [cryptomeria](/wiki/Cryptomeria "Cryptomeria") trees. There are some [hot springs](/wiki/Hot_spring "Hot spring") ( _caldeiras_), generally located in the center of the island, in the area stretching from Povoação to Nordeste. There is also an ocean hot spring called Ponta da Ferraria.[\[3\]](#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](#cite_note-4)

The highest elevation on São Miguel is the [Pico da Vara](/wiki/Pico_da_Vara "Pico da Vara") at 1,103 metres (3,619 ft). Lying at the eastern end of the island, it is the focus of a [Special Protection Area](/wiki/Special_Protection_Area "Special Protection Area") containing the largest remnant of [laurisilva](/wiki/Laurisilva "Laurisilva") forest on the island, which is home to the [endemic](/wiki/Endemism "Endemism") and [critically endangered](/wiki/Critically_endangered "Critically endangered") bird, the [Azores bullfinch](/wiki/Azores_bullfinch "Azores bullfinch").

[Whale watching](/wiki/Whale_watching "Whale watching") tours, starting from [Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada "Ponta Delgada") and [Vila Franca do Campo](/wiki/Vila_Franca_do_Campo "Vila Franca do Campo") are available. One may see [sea turtles](/wiki/Sea_turtle "Sea turtle"), [dolphins](/wiki/Dolphin "Dolphin") and [humpback whales](/wiki/Humpback_whale "Humpback whale").

### Climate

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Climate")\]

São Miguel has a mild maritime climate, which is drier in the summer and wetter in the winter, though according to the [Köppen climate classification](/wiki/K%C3%B6ppen_climate_classification "Köppen climate classification"), four different climatic classifications can be found throughout the island. At lower elevations, the hot-summer [Mediterranean climate](/wiki/Mediterranean_climate "Mediterranean climate") ( _Csa_) dominates over the [Humid subtropical climate](/wiki/Humid_subtropical_climate "Humid subtropical climate") ( _Cfa_) typical of the more westerly islands and truly only found around [Capelas](/wiki/Capelas "Capelas"). Above 100 m (330 ft) altitude, the Mediterranean climate transitions into its warm-summer variant ( _Csb_), and past 200 m (660 ft) the climate is strictly [oceanic](/wiki/Oceanic_climate "Oceanic climate") ( _Cfb_).[\[5\]](#cite_note-5)

The western half of the island is generally drier, due to the lower topography. Precipitation varies from less than 800 mm (31 in) in the Northwest coastline between [Mosteiros](/wiki/Mosteiros_(Ponta_Delgada) "Mosteiros (Ponta Delgada)") and [Ajuda da Bretanha](/wiki/Ajuda_da_Bretanha "Ajuda da Bretanha"), to over 3,200 mm (130 in) around [Pico da Vara](/wiki/Pico_da_Vara "Pico da Vara") in the east.[\[6\]](#cite_note-6)

Similar to other islands in the archipelago, São Miguel is influenced by ocean currents and winds, and, in particular, the cyclonic [Gulf Stream](/wiki/Gulf_Stream "Gulf Stream"). This stream functions as a moderating force in the islands, keeping temperatures hovering between 14 °C (57 °F) and 23 °C (73 °F) throughout the year. The island's location also makes it susceptible to some Atlantic storms, and precipitation tends to be elevated during the winter periods. Winters are very mild by European standards and summers are warm (sometimes very warm due to the high humidity) and relatively dry. Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) or below 5 °C (41 °F) have never been recorded at the coast.

Climate data for Afonso Chaves Observatory, Ponta Delgada 1981–2010 normals, altitude: 35 m (115 ft)
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Record high °C (°F)
21.2

(70.2)
21.0

(69.8)
22.4

(72.3)
23.5

(74.3)
24.5

(76.1)
27.4

(81.3)
29.0

(84.2)
29.0

(84.2)
29.1

(84.4)
26.7

(80.1)
26.5

(79.7)
22.4

(72.3)
29.1

(84.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)
17.3

(63.1)
17.1

(62.8)
17.6

(63.7)
18.4

(65.1)
19.7

(67.5)
21.9

(71.4)
24.3

(75.7)
25.7

(78.3)
24.7

(76.5)
22.3

(72.1)
19.8

(67.6)
18.2

(64.8)
20.6

(69.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)
14.8

(58.6)
14.4

(57.9)
15.0

(59.0)
15.6

(60.1)
16.9

(62.4)
19.1

(66.4)
21.3

(70.3)
22.6

(72.7)
21.8

(71.2)
19.6

(67.3)
17.2

(63.0)
15.7

(60.3)
17.8

(64.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)
12.4

(54.3)
11.7

(53.1)
12.4

(54.3)
12.8

(55.0)
14.1

(57.4)
16.3

(61.3)
18.4

(65.1)
19.5

(67.1)
18.8

(65.8)
16.8

(62.2)
14.6

(58.3)
13.1

(55.6)
15.1

(59.1)
Record low °C (°F)
5.0

(41.0)
5.2

(41.4)
5.4

(41.7)
6.9

(44.4)
7.9

(46.2)
9.2

(48.6)
11.5

(52.7)
12.0

(53.6)
12.0

(53.6)
10.1

(50.2)
7.1

(44.8)
6.2

(43.2)
5.0

(41.0)
Average [precipitation](/wiki/Precipitation "Precipitation") mm (inches)
111.5

(4.39)
95.2

(3.75)
98.6

(3.88)
83.3

(3.28)
70.2

(2.76)
45.9

(1.81)
28.1

(1.11)
47.3

(1.86)
87.9

(3.46)
109.6

(4.31)
116.0

(4.57)
158.9

(6.26)
1,052.5

(41.44)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm)13.1
11.5
11.8
9.8
9.2
7.0
5.1
6.5
9.9
12.0
12.9
15.4
124.2
Average [relative humidity](/wiki/Relative_humidity "Relative humidity") (%)
82
82
81
79
80
80
78
79
80
80
82
83
81
Mean monthly [sunshine hours](/wiki/Sunshine_duration "Sunshine duration")97
103
120
141
174
163
208
213
175
142
109
93
1,738
Source 1: [Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera](/wiki/Instituto_Portugu%C3%AAs_do_Mar_e_da_Atmosfera "Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera")[\[7\]](#cite_note-7)Source 2: [NOAA](/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration") (Humidity & Sunshine 1961-1990)[\[8\]](#cite_note-noaa-8)

### Human geography

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Human geography")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Miradouro_da_Fonte_do_Buraco%2C_Maia%2C_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_A%C3%A7ores.JPG/235px-Miradouro_da_Fonte_do_Buraco%2C_Maia%2C_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel%2C_A%C3%A7ores.JPG)](/wiki/File:Miradouro_da_Fonte_do_Buraco,_Maia,_ilha_de_S%C3%A3o_Miguel,_A%C3%A7ores.JPG) The Fonte de Buraco Belvedere overlooking the village of Maia, in the northern municipality of Ribeira Grande

Owing to the predominance of volcanic cones and craters in the interior, human settlement has developed primarily along coastal and interior plains. In addition, there are several communities that have developed within ancient craters (such as [Sete Cidades](/wiki/Sete_Cidades_(Ponta_Delgada) "Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada)"), [Furnas](/wiki/Furnas "Furnas") or [Povoação](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o "Povoação")), river-valleys (such as [Ribeira Chã](/wiki/Ribeira_Ch%C3%A3 "Ribeira Chã"), [Pilar da Bretanha](/wiki/Pilar_da_Bretanha "Pilar da Bretanha")) or coastal deltas ( [Mosteiros](/wiki/Mosteiros_(Ponta_Delgada) "Mosteiros (Ponta Delgada)")). Regardless, these settlements were largely agrarian and concentrated around the parish churches and the many fertile parcels of land. The communities were largely isolated throughout the year, owing to the great distances and rough landscape of the island, and only became integrated with the development of the many road networks that circle and bisect the island. Two cities have developed, largely because the island was divided by mountainous volcanic cones in the interior: [Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada "Ponta Delgada") and [Ribeira Grande](/wiki/Ribeira_Grande,_S%C3%A3o_Miguel "Ribeira Grande, São Miguel"). Administratively, the island is governed by five municipalities, with Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande having more administrative functions associated with their larger populations:

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Ponta_Delgada.jpg/235px-Ponta_Delgada.jpg)](/wiki/File:Ponta_Delgada.jpg) The center of Ponta Delgada, as seen from the marina complex, _Portas do Mar_

[Lagoa](/wiki/Lagoa_Municipality_(Azores) "Lagoa Municipality (Azores)"), the youngest of the municipalities of São Miguel, has a population of about 14,126 inhabitants (2008 census), incorporating the south-central parishes east of Ponta Delgada;
[Nordeste](/wiki/Nordeste_Municipality "Nordeste Municipality"), literally the north-eastern municipality, well known for an abundance of natural vegetation and the highest point on the island, Pico da Vara;
[Ponta Delgada](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada_Municipality "Ponta Delgada Municipality"), includes not only the industrial/commercial city of Ponta Delgada, but also many rural parishes, as well as the large crater of Sete Cidades;
[Povoação](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_Municipality "Povoação Municipality"), home to the first colony on the island, Povoação is located in the south-east corner of the island, and includes active and dormant volcanic features, including [Furnas](/wiki/Furnas "Furnas") and the crater of [Povoação](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o "Povoação");
[Ribeira Grande](/wiki/Ribeira_Grande_(Azores) "Ribeira Grande (Azores)"), the second largest municipality, with approximately 30,852 inhabitants, received its charter in 1981, and incorporates an extensive area of the northern coast (including the parish of [Rabo de Peixe](/wiki/Rabo_de_Peixe "Rabo de Peixe"), the largest parish by population); and
[Vila Franca do Campo](/wiki/Vila_Franca_do_Campo_Municipality "Vila Franca do Campo Municipality"), once the seat of the historical capital of São Miguel (until it was almost destroyed by earthquake and landslides in 1522), it is located along the southern coast between Lagoa and Povoação.

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/Ch%C3%A1_Gorreana_3.JPG/235px-Ch%C3%A1_Gorreana_3.JPG)](/wiki/File:Ch%C3%A1_Gorreana_3.JPG) [Chá Gorreana](/wiki/Ch%C3%A1_Gorreana "Chá Gorreana")'s main plant[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/SMG_PDL_20090517_SaoJose_festaSSCristo_imageLights02.jpg/235px-SMG_PDL_20090517_SaoJose_festaSSCristo_imageLights02.jpg)](/wiki/File:SMG_PDL_20090517_SaoJose_festaSSCristo_imageLights02.jpg) The [cult of the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles](/wiki/Cult_of_Senhor_Santo_Cristo_dos_Milagres "Cult of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres") is the most popular devotion in São Miguel island.

Government is administered at the local level by the civil parish ( [Portuguese](/wiki/Portuguese_language "Portuguese language"): _freguesias_), which are responsible for the provision of services and implementation of municipal initiatives. Based on the historical ecclesiastical limits established after settlement, the civil parishes are run by a president, treasurer and secretary (at the head of a parish council). These presidents have municipal council standing and represent their constituencies in the assemblies of the _Câmara Municipal_. On the island of São Miguel there are 64 local area authorities, that include:

- [Achada](/wiki/Achada "Achada")
- [Achadinha](/wiki/Achadinha "Achadinha")
- [Água de Alto](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Alto "Água de Alto")
- [Água de Pau](/wiki/%C3%81gua_de_Pau "Água de Pau")
- [Água Retorta](/wiki/%C3%81gua_Retorta "Água Retorta")
- [Algarvia](/wiki/Algarvia "Algarvia")
- [Ajuda da Bretanha](/wiki/Ajuda_da_Bretanha "Ajuda da Bretanha")
- [Arrifes](/wiki/Arrifes "Arrifes")
- [Cabouco](/wiki/Cabouco "Cabouco")
- [Calhetas](/wiki/Calhetas "Calhetas")
- [Candelária](/wiki/Candel%C3%A1ria_(Ponta_Delgada) "Candelária (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Capelas](/wiki/Capelas "Capelas")
- [Conceição](/wiki/Concei%C3%A7%C3%A3o_(Ribeira_Grande) "Conceição (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Covoada](/wiki/Covoada "Covoada")
- [Faial da Terra](/wiki/Faial_da_Terra "Faial da Terra")
- [Fajã de Baixo](/wiki/Faj%C3%A3_de_Baixo "Fajã de Baixo")
- [Fajã de Cima](/wiki/Faj%C3%A3_de_Cima "Fajã de Cima")
- [Fenais da Ajuda](/wiki/Fenais_da_Ajuda "Fenais da Ajuda")
- [Fenais da Luz](/wiki/Fenais_da_Luz "Fenais da Luz")
- [Feteiras](/wiki/Feteiras "Feteiras")
- [Furnas](/wiki/Furnas "Furnas")
- [Ginetes](/wiki/Ginetes "Ginetes")
- [Livramento](/wiki/Livramento_(Ponta_Delgada) "Livramento (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Lomba da Fazenda](/wiki/Lomba_da_Fazenda "Lomba da Fazenda")
- [Lomba da Maia](/wiki/Lomba_da_Maia "Lomba da Maia")
- [Lomba de São Pedro](/wiki/Lomba_de_S%C3%A3o_Pedro "Lomba de São Pedro")
- [Maia](/wiki/Maia_(Ribeira_Grande) "Maia (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Matriz](/wiki/Matriz_(Ribeira_Grande) "Matriz (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Mosteiros](/wiki/Mosteiros_(Ponta_Delgada) "Mosteiros (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Nordeste](/wiki/Nordeste,_Azores "Nordeste, Azores")
- [Nossa Senhora dos Remédios](/wiki/Nossa_Senhora_dos_Rem%C3%A9dios_(Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o) "Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Povoação)")
- [Nossa Senhora do Rósario](/wiki/Nossa_Senhora_do_Ros%C3%A1rio_(Lagoa) "Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Lagoa)")
- [Pico da Pedra](/wiki/Pico_da_Pedra "Pico da Pedra")
- [Pilar da Bretanha](/wiki/Pilar_da_Bretanha "Pilar da Bretanha")
- [Ponta Garça](/wiki/Ponta_Gar%C3%A7a "Ponta Garça")
- [Porto Formoso](/wiki/Porto_Formoso "Porto Formoso")
- [Povoação](/wiki/Povoa%C3%A7%C3%A3o_(parish) "Povoação (parish)")
- [Rabo de Peixe](/wiki/Rabo_de_Peixe "Rabo de Peixe")
- [Relva](/wiki/Relva "Relva")
- [Remédios](/wiki/Rem%C3%A9dios "Remédios")
- [Ribeira Chã](/wiki/Ribeira_Ch%C3%A3 "Ribeira Chã")
- [Ribeira das Tainhas](/wiki/Ribeira_das_Tainhas "Ribeira das Tainhas")
- [Ribeira Quente](/wiki/Ribeira_Quente "Ribeira Quente")
- [Ribeira Seca (Ribeira Grande)](/wiki/Ribeira_Seca_(Ribeira_Grande) "Ribeira Seca (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Ribeira Seca (Vila Franca do Campo)](/wiki/Ribeira_Seca_(Vila_Franca_do_Campo) "Ribeira Seca (Vila Franca do Campo)")
- [Ribeirinha](/wiki/Ribeirinha_(Ribeira_Grande) "Ribeirinha (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Salga](/wiki/Salga "Salga")
- [Santa Bárbara (Ribeira Grande)](/wiki/Santa_B%C3%A1rbara_(Ribeira_Grande) "Santa Bárbara (Ribeira Grande)")
- [Santa Bárbara (Ponta Delgada)](/wiki/Santa_B%C3%A1rbara_(Ponta_Delgada) "Santa Bárbara (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Santa Clara](/wiki/Santa_Clara_(Ponta_Delgada) "Santa Clara (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Santa Cruz](/wiki/Santa_Cruz_(Lagoa) "Santa Cruz (Lagoa)")
- [Santana](/wiki/Santana_(Nordeste) "Santana (Nordeste)")
- [Santo António](/wiki/Santo_Ant%C3%B3nio_(Ponta_Delgada) "Santo António (Ponta Delgada)")
- [Santo António de Nordestinho](/wiki/Santo_Ant%C3%B3nio_de_Nordestinho "Santo António de Nordestinho")
- [São Brás](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Br%C3%A1s_(Ribeira_Grande) "São Brás (Ribeira Grande)")
- [São José](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Jos%C3%A9_(Ponta_Delgada) "São José (Ponta Delgada)")
- [São Miguel](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel_(Vila_Franca_do_Campo) "São Miguel (Vila Franca do Campo)")
- [São Pedro (Ponta Delgada)](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Pedro_(Ponta_Delgada) "São Pedro (Ponta Delgada)")
- [São Pedro (Vila Franca do Campo)](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Pedro_(Vila_Franca_do_Campo) "São Pedro (Vila Franca do Campo)")
- [São Pedro de Nordestinho](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Pedro_de_Nordestinho "São Pedro de Nordestinho")
- [São Roque](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Roque,_Ponta_Delgada "São Roque, Ponta Delgada")
- [São Sebastião](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Sebasti%C3%A3o_(Ponta_Delgada) "São Sebastião (Ponta Delgada)")
- [São Vicente Ferreira](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Vicente_Ferreira "São Vicente Ferreira")
- [Sete Cidades](/wiki/Sete_Cidades_(Ponta_Delgada) "Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada)")

## Transport

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Transport")\]

Three bus routes operate in Ponta Delgada on weekdays from 07:00 to 19:00.[\[9\]](#cite_note-TravPoi-9) Line A runs in the western part of town, line B in the central/north, and line C in the east. There are bus services between Ponta Delgada and most other towns on the island, but usually only a few times a day. City services and island-wide services are both accessible along "Avenida D. Infante Henriques" and conveniently accessible from major sites in Ponta Delgada. Up to date schedules are available at bus stops and the tourist office. Distances on the island are short with journeys rarely longer than 90 minutes.[\[9\]](#cite_note-TravPoi-9)

[Joao Paulo II Airport](/wiki/Joao_Paulo_II_Airport "Joao Paulo II Airport") (Ponta Delgado Airport) provides airline connections to all of the islands of the Azores as well as to [Madeira](/wiki/Madeira "Madeira") and the mainland (namely, [Lisbon](/wiki/Lisbon "Lisbon"), [Porto](/wiki/Porto "Porto"), and [Faro](/wiki/Faro,_Portugal "Faro, Portugal")) as well as numerous international destinations in [Europe](/wiki/Europe "Europe") and [North America](/wiki/North_America "North America").

## Notable citizens

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Notable citizens")\]

See also: [Lagoa,\_Azores § Notable\_citizens](/wiki/Lagoa,_Azores#Notable_citizens "Lagoa, Azores")

See also: [Ponta\_Delgada § Notable\_people](/wiki/Ponta_Delgada#Notable_people "Ponta Delgada")

See also: [Vila\_Franca\_do\_Campo § Notable\_people](/wiki/Vila_Franca_do_Campo#Notable_people "Vila Franca do Campo")

## References

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: References")\]

Notes

1. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-siaram_1-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-siaram_1-1) [_**c**_](#cite_ref-siaram_1-2)["Geografia São Miguel"](http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/geografia/sao-miguel/intro.html). _iaram.azores.gov.pt_. Azores Government. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
2. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-M_1_2-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-M_1_2-1)Richard B. Moore (1990), p.1
3. **[^](#cite_ref-3)**["Ponta da Ferraria - Visit Azores"](https://www.visitazores.com/en/explore/ponta-da-ferraria). _www.visitazores.com_. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
4. **[^](#cite_ref-4)**Rodrigues, Valentina (3 January 2022). ["Ponta da Ferraria, Azores: The Ultimate Visitor's Guide"](https://www.futurismo.pt/blog/travel/ponta-da-ferraria-azores-the-ultimate-visitors-guide/). _Futurismo Blog_. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
5. **[^](#cite_ref-5)**["Atlas Climático Ibérico"](https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/publicacoes/atlas.clima.ilhas.iberico.2011.pdf)(PDF). [IPMA](/wiki/IPMA "IPMA"). Retrieved 8 December 2021.
6. **[^](#cite_ref-6)**["Normais Climatológicas - 1971-2000"](https://www.ipma.pt/pt/oclima/normais.clima/1971-2000/#535). [IPMA](/wiki/IPMA "IPMA"). Retrieved 8 December 2021.
7. **[^](#cite_ref-7)**["Normal Climatológica – Ponta Delgada / Observatório Afonso Chaves 1981-2010"](https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_81-10_PONTA_DELGADA_OBSERVATORIO.pdf)(PDF). [IPMA](/wiki/IPMA "IPMA"). Retrieved 15 February 2022.
8. **[^](#cite_ref-noaa_8-0)**["Ponta Delgada (08513) - WMO Weather Station"](ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/PO/08513.TXT). [NOAA](/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"). Retrieved 17 April 2019.
9. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-TravPoi_9-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-TravPoi_9-1)["Ponta Delgada"](https://www.travellerspoint.com/guide/Ponta_Delgada/). [Travellerspoint](/wiki/Travellerspoint "Travellerspoint"). Retrieved 23 May 2022.

Sources

- Carmo, R. (2004). _Geologia estrutural da região Povoação – Nordeste (ilha de S. Miguel, Açores). Tese de Mestrado em Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos_. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Geociências. p. 121.
- Ferreira, T. (2000). _Caracterização da actividade vulcânica da ilha de S. Miguel (Açores): vulcanismo basáltico recente e zonas de desgaseificação. Avaliação de riscos. Tese de Doutoramento no ramo de Geologia, especialidade de Vulcanologia_. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Geociências. p. 248.
- Ferreira, T.; Tanguy, Jean-Claude (2001). [_Volcanoes of Europe_](https://archive.org/details/volcanoesofeurop00alwy/page/243). [Oxford University Press](/wiki/Oxford_University_Press "Oxford University Press"). pp. [243](https://archive.org/details/volcanoesofeurop00alwy/page/243). [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-19-521754-3](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-19-521754-3 "Special:BookSources/0-19-521754-3").
- Gaspar, J.L.; Ferreira, T.; Queiroz, G.; Wallenstein, N.; Pacheco, J.; Guest, J.; Duncan, A.; Cole, P. (1995). _Evolução morfoestrutural do vulcão das Furnas (ilha de S. Miguel, Açores). IV Congresso Nacional de Geologia_. Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências, Museu e laboratório Mineralógico e Geológico, Mem. 4. pp. 999–1003.
- Queiroz, G. (1997). _Vulcão das Sete Cidades (S. Miguel, Açores): História eruptiva e avaliação do Hazard.Tese de doutoramento no ramo de Geologia, especialidade de Vulcanologia_. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Geociências. p. 226.
- Wallenstein, N. (1999). _Estudo da história eruptiva recente e do comportamento eruptivo do vulcão do Fogo (S. Miguel, Açores). Avaliação preliminar do hazard. Tese de doutoramento no ramo de Geologia, especialidade de Vulcanologia_. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Geociências. p. 266.
- Zbyszewsky, G.; Moitinho de Almeida, F.; Veiga Ferreira, O.; de Assunção, C.T. (1958). _Notícia explicativa da Folha "B", da ilha S. Miguel (Açores) da Carta Geológica de Portugal na escala 1:50000_. Publ. Serviços. Geológicos de Portugal, Lisboa. p. 37.
- Zbyszewsky, G.; Veiga Ferreira, O.; de Assunção, C.T. (1959). _Notícia explicativa da Folha "A", da ilha S. Miguel (Açores) da Carta Geológica de Portugal na escala 1:50000_. Serviços. Geológicos de Portugal, Lisboa. p. 22.
- Zbyszewsky, G. (1961). _Étude geologique de l'ile de S. Miguel (Açores)_. Comunicações Serviços Geológicos de Portugal, 45l. pp. 5–79.
- [Global Volcanism Program: Azores](http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=1802)

## External links

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: External links")\]

![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg/40px-Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-icon.svg.png)

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for _**[São Miguel](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Miguel#Q209036 "wikivoyage:São Miguel")**_.

- [In depth video from São Miguel Island](https://web.archive.org/web/20100602062306/http://vimeo.com/12124252)
- [– Site with abundant information about São Miguel Island](https://igoazores.com)
- [360 panoramas and photo tour of the island in Flash and HTML5](http://www.vrazores.com/azores-virtual-tour/index.html)

[Portals](/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals "Wikipedia:Contents/Portals"):

- [![icon](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Ic%C3%B4ne_Ile.svg/19px-Ic%C3%B4ne_Ile.svg.png)](/wiki/File:Ic%C3%B4ne_Ile.svg)[Islands](/wiki/Portal:Islands "Portal:Islands")
- ![flag](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/21px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png)[Portugal](/wiki/Portal:Portugal "Portal:Portugal")
- ![icon](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Terra.png/19px-Terra.png)[Geography](/wiki/Portal:Geography "Portal:Geography")

- [v](/wiki/Template:Azores_Islands "Template:Azores Islands")
- [t](/wiki/Template_talk:Azores_Islands "Template talk:Azores Islands")
- [e](/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Azores_Islands "Special:EditPage/Template:Azores Islands")

[![Portugal](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png)](/wiki/Portugal "Portugal")[![Azores](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Flag_of_the_Azores.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Azores.svg.png)](/wiki/Azores "Azores")[Autonomous Region of the Azores](/wiki/Azores "Azores")

Grupo Oriental ( _[Eastern Group](/wiki/Eastern_Group,_Azores "Eastern Group, Azores")_)

- [Santa Maria](/wiki/Santa_Maria_Island "Santa Maria Island")
- São Miguel

[![Flag of the Azores](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Flag_of_the_Azores.svg/75px-Flag_of_the_Azores.svg.png)](/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_Azores.svg "Flag of the Azores")

Grupo Central ( _[Central Group](/wiki/Central_Group,_Azores "Central Group, Azores")_)

- [Faial](/wiki/Faial_Island "Faial Island")
- [Graciosa](/wiki/Graciosa "Graciosa")
- [Pico](/wiki/Pico_Island "Pico Island")
- [São Jorge](/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Jorge_Island "São Jorge Island")
- [Terceira](/wiki/Terceira_Island "Terceira Island")

Grupo Ocidental ( _[Western Group](/wiki/Western_Group "Western Group")_)

- [Corvo](/wiki/Corvo_Island "Corvo Island")
- [Flores](/wiki/Flores_Island_(Azores) "Flores Island (Azores)")

Islets

- [Baixo](/wiki/Baixo_Islet "Baixo Islet")
- [Cabras](/wiki/Cabras_Islets "Cabras Islets")
- [Formigas](/wiki/Formigas "Formigas")
- [Fradinhos](/wiki/Fradinhos "Fradinhos")
- [Madalena](/wiki/Madalena_Islets "Madalena Islets")
- [Monchique](/wiki/Monchique_Islet "Monchique Islet")
- [Mosteiros](/wiki/Mosteiros_Islets "Mosteiros Islets")
- [Praia](/wiki/Praia_Islet "Praia Islet")
- [Rosais](/wiki/Rosais_Islets "Rosais Islets")
- [Sabrina](/wiki/Sabrina_Island_(Azores) "Sabrina Island (Azores)")
- [Topo](/wiki/Topo_Islet "Topo Islet")
- [Vila Franca](/wiki/Vila_Franca_Islet "Vila Franca Islet")
- [List of Islets in the Azores](/wiki/List_of_islets_in_the_Azores "List of islets in the Azores")

Caves and geological features

- [Algar do Carvão](/wiki/Algar_do_Carv%C3%A3o "Algar do Carvão")
- [Gruta das Torres](/wiki/Gruta_das_Torres "Gruta das Torres")
- [Gruta do Carvão](/wiki/Gruta_do_Carv%C3%A3o "Gruta do Carvão")

Reefs, banks and [seamounts](/wiki/Seamount "Seamount")

- [Dollabarat Reef](/wiki/Dollabarat "Dollabarat")
- [D. João de Castro Bank](/wiki/Dom_Jo%C3%A3o_de_Castro_Bank "Dom João de Castro Bank")
- [Princess Alice Bank](/wiki/Princess_Alice_Bank "Princess Alice Bank")
- [Hydrothermal vents and seamounts of the Azores](/wiki/Hydrothermal_vents_and_seamounts_of_the_Azores "Hydrothermal vents and seamounts of the Azores")

- [v](/wiki/Template:Outlying_territories_of_European_countries "Template:Outlying territories of European countries")
- [t](/wiki/Template_talk:Outlying_territories_of_European_countries "Template talk:Outlying territories of European countries")
- [e](/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Outlying_territories_of_European_countries "Special:EditPage/Template:Outlying territories of European countries")

Outlying territories of European countries

Territories under European [sovereignty](/wiki/Sovereignty "Sovereignty") but closer to or on continents other than Europe (see [inclusion criteria](/wiki/Template:Outlying_territories_of_European_countries#Inclusion_criteria "Template:Outlying territories of European countries") for further information).

Denmark

- [Greenland](/wiki/Greenland "Greenland")
- [Faroe Islands](/wiki/Faroe_Islands "Faroe Islands")

France

- [Clipperton Island](/wiki/Clipperton_Island "Clipperton Island")
- [French Guiana](/wiki/French_Guiana "French Guiana")
- [French Polynesia](/wiki/French_Polynesia "French Polynesia")
- [French Southern and Antarctic Lands](/wiki/French_Southern_and_Antarctic_Lands "French Southern and Antarctic Lands")
  - [Adélie Land](/wiki/Ad%C3%A9lie_Land "Adélie Land")
  - [Crozet Islands](/wiki/Crozet_Islands "Crozet Islands")
  - [Kerguelen Islands](/wiki/Kerguelen_Islands "Kerguelen Islands")
  - [Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands](/wiki/Saint_Paul_and_Amsterdam_Islands "Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands")
    - [Amsterdam Island](/wiki/%C3%8Ele_Amsterdam "Île Amsterdam")
    - [Saint Paul Island](/wiki/%C3%8Ele_Saint-Paul "Île Saint-Paul")
  - [Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean](/wiki/Scattered_Islands_in_the_Indian_Ocean "Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean")
    - [Bassas da India](/wiki/Bassas_da_India "Bassas da India")
    - [Europa Island](/wiki/Europa_Island "Europa Island")
    - [Glorioso Islands](/wiki/Glorioso_Islands "Glorioso Islands")
      - [Geyser Shoal](/wiki/Banc_du_Geyser "Banc du Geyser")
    - [Juan de Nova Island](/wiki/Juan_de_Nova_Island "Juan de Nova Island")
    - [Tromelin Island](/wiki/Tromelin_Island "Tromelin Island")
- [Guadeloupe](/wiki/Guadeloupe "Guadeloupe")
- [Martinique](/wiki/Martinique "Martinique")
- [Mayotte](/wiki/Mayotte "Mayotte")
- [New Caledonia](/wiki/New_Caledonia "New Caledonia")
- [Réunion](/wiki/R%C3%A9union "Réunion")
- [Saint Barthélemy](/wiki/Saint_Barth%C3%A9lemy "Saint Barthélemy")
- [Saint Martin](/wiki/Collectivity_of_Saint_Martin "Collectivity of Saint Martin")
- [Saint Pierre and Miquelon](/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon "Saint Pierre and Miquelon")
- [Wallis and Futuna](/wiki/Wallis_and_Futuna "Wallis and Futuna")

Netherlands

- [Aruba](/wiki/Aruba "Aruba")
- [Caribbean Netherlands](/wiki/Caribbean_Netherlands "Caribbean Netherlands")
  - [Bonaire](/wiki/Bonaire "Bonaire")
  - [Saba](/wiki/Saba_(island) "Saba (island)")
  - [Sint Eustatius](/wiki/Sint_Eustatius "Sint Eustatius")
- [Curaçao](/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao "Curaçao")
- [Sint Maarten](/wiki/Sint_Maarten "Sint Maarten")

Norway

- [Bouvet Island](/wiki/Bouvet_Island "Bouvet Island")
- [Jan Mayen](/wiki/Jan_Mayen "Jan Mayen")
- [Peter I Island](/wiki/Peter_I_Island "Peter I Island")
- [Queen Maud Land](/wiki/Queen_Maud_Land "Queen Maud Land")
- [Svalbard](/wiki/Svalbard "Svalbard")

Portugal

- [Azores](/wiki/Azores "Azores")
- [Madeira](/wiki/Madeira "Madeira")

Spain

- [Canary Islands](/wiki/Canary_Islands "Canary Islands")
- [Ceuta](/wiki/Ceuta "Ceuta")
- [Melilla](/wiki/Melilla "Melilla")
- [Plazas de Soberanía](/wiki/Plazas_de_Soberan%C3%ADa "Plazas de Soberanía")
  - [Alboran Island](/wiki/Alboran_Island "Alboran Island")
  - [Alhucemas Islands](/wiki/Alhucemas_Islands "Alhucemas Islands")
  - [Chafarinas Islands](/wiki/Chafarinas_Islands "Chafarinas Islands")
  - [Velez Islands](/wiki/Velez_Islands "Velez Islands")

United Kingdom

- [Anguilla](/wiki/Anguilla "Anguilla")
- [Bermuda](/wiki/Bermuda "Bermuda")
- [British Antarctic Territory](/wiki/British_Antarctic_Territory "British Antarctic Territory")
- [British Indian Ocean Territory](/wiki/British_Indian_Ocean_Territory "British Indian Ocean Territory")
- [British Virgin Islands](/wiki/British_Virgin_Islands "British Virgin Islands")
- [Cayman Islands](/wiki/Cayman_Islands "Cayman Islands")
- [Falkland Islands](/wiki/Falkland_Islands "Falkland Islands")
- [Montserrat](/wiki/Montserrat "Montserrat")
- [Pitcairn Islands](/wiki/Pitcairn_Islands "Pitcairn Islands")
- [Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha](/wiki/Saint_Helena,_Ascension_and_Tristan_da_Cunha "Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha")
- [South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands](/wiki/South_Georgia_and_the_South_Sandwich_Islands "South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands")
- [Turks and Caicos Islands](/wiki/Turks_and_Caicos_Islands "Turks and Caicos Islands")

[Authority control databases](/wiki/Help:Authority_control "Help:Authority control")[![Edit this at Wikidata](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/10px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q209036#identifiers "Edit this at Wikidata")

International

- [VIAF](https://viaf.org/viaf/315130176)

National

- [Germany](https://d-nb.info/gnd/4105337-0)
- [France](https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb119478179)
- [BnF data](https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb119478179)

Other

- [NARA](https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10045678)

Retrieved from " [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=São\_Miguel\_Island&oldid=1240476363](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=São_Miguel_Island&oldid=1240476363)"

[Categories](/wiki/Help:Category "Help:Category"):

- [São Miguel Island](/wiki/Category:S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island "Category:São Miguel Island")
- [Islands of the Azores](/wiki/Category:Islands_of_the_Azores "Category:Islands of the Azores")

Hidden categories:

- [Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas](/wiki/Category:Pages_using_gadget_WikiMiniAtlas "Category:Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas")
- [Articles with short description](/wiki/Category:Articles_with_short_description "Category:Articles with short description")
- [Short description matches Wikidata](/wiki/Category:Short_description_matches_Wikidata "Category:Short description matches Wikidata")
- [Use dmy dates from July 2019](/wiki/Category:Use_dmy_dates_from_July_2019 "Category:Use dmy dates from July 2019")
- [Coordinates on Wikidata](/wiki/Category:Coordinates_on_Wikidata "Category:Coordinates on Wikidata")
- [Articles containing Portuguese-language text](/wiki/Category:Articles_containing_Portuguese-language_text "Category:Articles containing Portuguese-language text")
- [Pages with European Portuguese IPA](/wiki/Category:Pages_with_European_Portuguese_IPA "Category:Pages with European Portuguese IPA")
- [Pages with Langnf omitting second positional parameter](/wiki/Category:Pages_with_Langnf_omitting_second_positional_parameter "Category:Pages with Langnf omitting second positional parameter")
- [Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text](/wiki/Category:Articles_containing_explicitly_cited_English-language_text "Category:Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text")
- [Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from March 2011](/wiki/Category:Articles_with_specifically_marked_weasel-worded_phrases_from_March_2011 "Category:Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from March 2011")

- This page was last edited on 15 August 2024, at 15:14 (UTC).
- Text is available under the [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_4.0_International_License);
additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the [Terms of Use](//foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Terms_of_Use) and [Privacy Policy](//foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Privacy_policy). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the [Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.](//wikimediafoundation.org/), a non-profit organization.

- [Privacy policy](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Privacy_policy)
- [About Wikipedia](/wiki/Wikipedia:About)
- [Disclaimers](/wiki/Wikipedia:General_disclaimer)
- [Contact Wikipedia](//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contact_us)
- [Code of Conduct](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Universal_Code_of_Conduct)
- [Developers](https://developer.wikimedia.org)
- [Statistics](https://stats.wikimedia.org/#/en.wikipedia.org)
- [Cookie statement](https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Policy:Cookie_statement)
- [Mobile view](//en.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=S%C3%A3o_Miguel_Island&mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile)

- [![Wikimedia Foundation](/static/images/footer/wikimedia-button.svg)](https://wikimediafoundation.org/)
- [![Powered by MediaWiki](/w/resources/assets/poweredby_mediawiki.svg)](https://www.mediawiki.org/)