Come and Discover the Azores and stay in our Holiday Accommodation on the island of São Miguel
São Miguel is the largest of the islands in the Azores archipelago and the largest of all the islands in the territory of Portugal. With an area of 748.82 km², it measures 64.7 km in length and 8–15 km in width and has a population of 137 699 inhabitants (2011), having grown by 4.4% compared to what was registered. in the 2001 Census, according to the statistical data of the 2011 Census.
It comprises the municipalities of Lagoa, Nordeste, Ponta Delgada, Povoação, Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca do Campo.
The island, of volcanic nature, subject to seismic activity, has a mountainous relief, especially in its interior, dominated by the Pico da Vara, being cut by valleys, gullies and streams – the only water courses. The volcanic origin is present in the typology of rocks and terrains of “biscuit” (produced by wavy layers of lava) and “mysteries” (by spongy lavas, where mosses and herbs proliferate) – typical of the archipelago -, and fumaroles-sulfataras [13] permanent ones, such as those in Vale das Furnas and Ribeira Grande. The crater bottoms of ancient extinct volcanoes serve as a bed for beautiful lakes such as Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, and Lagoa das Furnas. This combination of factors makes Vale das Furnas reputable for its mineral-medicinal waters
Like the other islands of the archipelago, the climate of São Miguel is oceanic temperate. The Atlantic and the Gulf Stream act as temperature moderators – the maritime nature – giving the island and the archipelago in general a small thermal amplitude. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, although it is more abundant in the cool season.
In winter, like the other islands of the archipelago, it is affected by strong winds that blow predominantly from the southwest, while in summer they move to the northern quadrant. The sky is usually cloudy, which causes variable insolation.
