This article is about the archipelago. For the area of high pressure, see Azores High.

The Azores (Os Açores)
Autonomous Region (Região Autónoma)
Mount Pico and the green landscape, emblematic of the archipelago of the Azores
Official name: Região Autónoma dos Açores
Name origin: açor, Portuguese for species of rapier bird, erroneously identified as goshawks; also derivation from the word for blue
Motto: Antes morrer livres que em paz sujeitos (English:Rather die as free men than be enslaved in peace)
Country	Portugal
Autonomous Region	Azores
Region	Atlantic Ocean
Subregion	Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Position	Azores Platform
Islands	Corvo, Faial, Flores, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge, São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira
Municipalities	Angra do Heroísmo, Horta, Lagoa, Lajes das Flores, Lajes do Pico, Madalena, Nordeste, Povoação, Praia da Vitória, Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Santa Cruz das Flores, São Roque, Vila do Corvo, Vila do Porto, Vila Franca do Campo
Capitals	Angra do Heroísmo[1], Horta[2], Ponta Delgada[3]
Largest city	Ponta Delgada
- center	São José
- elevation	22 m (72 ft)
- coordinates	37°44′28″N 25°40′32″W / 37.74111°N 25.67556°W / 37.74111; -25.67556
Highest point	Mount Pico
- elevation	2,351 m (7,713 ft)
- coordinates	38°28′19″N 28°51′50″W / 38.47194°N 28.86389°W / 38.47194; -28.86389
Lowest point	Sea level
- location	Atlantic Ocean
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Area	2,333 km2 (901 sq mi)
Population	247,000 (2012) Estimate
Density	105.87 / km2 (274 / sq mi)
Settlement	15 August 1432
- Administrative autonomy	c. 1895
- Political autonomy	4 September 1976
Discovery	c. 1427
- Santa Maria	c. 1427
- São Miguel	c. 1428
Management
- location	Assembleia Regional, Rua Marcelino Lima, Horta, Faial
- elevation	46 m (151 ft)
- coordinates	38°32′6″N 28°37′51″W / 38.535°N 28.63083°W / 38.535; -28.63083
Government
- location	Palácio de Santana, Rua José Jácome Correia, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
- elevation	60 m (197 ft)
- coordinates	37°44′52″N 25°40′19″W / 37.74778°N 25.67194°W / 37.74778; -25.67194
President (Government)	Carlos Cesar (PS)
- President (Assembleia)	Francisco Coelho (PS)
Timezone	Azores (UTC-1)
- summer (DST)	Azores EST (UTC0)
ISO 3166-2 code	PT-20
Postal code	9XXX-XXX
Area code	(+351) 292 XX XX XX
ccTLD	.pt
Demonym	Azorean
Patron Saint	Espírito Santo
Holiday	51st day (Monday) following Easter (Dia da Região Autónoma dos Açores)
Anthem	A Portuguesa (national) Hino dos Açores (regional)
Currency	Euro (€)[4]
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Drive	right-side
Distribution of the islands of the archipelago
Wikimedia Commons: Azores
Statistics: Instituto Nacional de Estatística[5]
Website: http://www.azores.gov.pt/
Geographic detail from CAOP (2010)[6] produced by Instituto Geográfico Português (IGP)

The Archipelago of the Azores (UK /əˈzɔrz/ ə-ZORZ, US /ˈeɪzɔrz/ AY-zorz; Portuguese: Açores, IPA: [ɐˈsoɾɨʃ]) is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about 1,500 km (930 mi) west of Lisbon and about 1,900 km (1,200 mi) southeast of Newfoundland. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the Azores, one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal. Its main industries are: agriculture, dairy farming (for cheese and butter products primarily), livestock ranching, fishing and tourism, which is becoming the major service activity in the region; added to which, the government of the Azores employs a large percentage of the population directly or indirectly in many aspects of the service and tertiary sectors.

There are nine major Azores islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. These are Flores and Corvo, to the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico and Faial in the centre; and São Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas Reef to the east. They extend for more than 600 km (370 mi) and lie in a northwest-southeast direction. The vast extent of the islands defines an immense exclusive economic zone of 1,100,000 km2 (420,000 sq mi). The westernmost point of this area is 3,380 km (2,100 mi) from the North American continent. All the islands have volcanic origins, although some, such as Santa Maria, have had no recorded activity since the islands were settled. Mount Pico, on the island of Pico, is the highest point in Portugal, at 2,351 m (7,713 ft). The Azores are actually some of the tallest mountains on the planet, measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean to their peaks, which thrust high above the surface of the Atlantic.

Because these once-uninhabited and remote islands were settled sporadically over a span of two centuries, their culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions vary considerably.

[edit] History

A small number of alleged Hypogea, earthen structures carved into rocks that were used for burials, have been identified on the islands of Corvo, Santa Maria and Terceira by Portuguese archaeologist Nuno Ribeiro and speculations were published that they might date back 2000 years, alluding to a human presence on the island before the Portuguese.[7] However, these kind of structures have always been used in the Azores to store cereals and suggestions by Ribeiro that they might be burial sites are unconfirmed. Detailed examination and dating to authenticate the validity of these speculations is lacking.[8] So far, it is unclear whether these structures are natural or man-made and if they predate the 15th century Portuguese colonization of the Azores. Solid confirmation of a pre-Portuguese human presence in the archipelago has not yet been published.

[edit] Exploration and rediscovery

The discovery and settlement of the Azores archipelago, much like the islands of Madeira, is one of the more controversial aspects of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. In addition to many theories, myths and stories written about the Azores there have been various Genovese and Catalan maps produced since 1351 that identified islands in the Atlantic. Some chroniclers note that sailors knew of the islands, and visited them during return voyages from the Canary Islands (about 1340–1345), during the reign of King Afonso IV. In "A History of the Azores" by Thomas Ashe written in 1813[9] the author identified a Fleming, Joshua Vander Berg of Bruges, who made land in the archipelago during a storm on his way to Lisbon.[9] Ashe then claimed that the Portuguese explored the area and claimed it for Portugal shortly after.[9] Other stories note the discovery of the first islands (São Miguel Island, Santa Maria Island and Terceira Island) were made by sailors in the service of Henry the Navigator, although there are few written documents to support the claims. Supporting the official history of the islands are latter day writings, based on oral tradition, that appeared in the first half of the 15th century. Legends and myths also developed during pre-official history to include myths about Prester John, the "Ilhas Afortunadas" (the Fortunate Isles), the "Ilhas Azuis" (the Blue Islands), the "Ilhas Cassiterides" (the islands of Tin and Silver) or "Ilhas de Sete Cidades" (the islands of the Seven Cities), all noting the knowledge of undiscovered lands in the middle of the Atlantic.

Officially, the first islands were "discovered" in the 15th century (in 1431) by Gonçalo Velho Cabral a Captain in the service of Infante D. Henrique, though credit is also given to the explorer Diogo de Silves (in 1427).

Although it is commonly said that the archipelago received its name for the goshawk (Açor in Portuguese) due to its being a common bird at the time of discovery, it is unlikely that the bird nested or hunted in the islands. Some people, however, insist that the name is derived from birds, pointing to a local subspecies of the buzzard (Buteo buteo) as the animal the first explorers erroneously identified as goshawks. The name may also derive from the word azor, meaning blue in vernacular Portuguese and used by those sailors who identified the islands by their blue color as they appeared in the distance by sea. The proper word for blue in Portuguese is azul.

[edit] Settlement

At some point, following the discovery of Santa Maria, sheep were let loose on the island before settlement actually took place. This was done to supply the future settlers with food because there were no large animals on the island. Settlement did not take place right away, however. There was not much interest among the Portuguese people in an isolated archipelago hundreds of miles from civilization. But patiently Cabral gathered resources and settlers for the next three years (1433–1436) and sailed to establish colonies on Santa Maria first and then later on São Miguel.

Brush had to be cleared and rocks removed for the planting of crops; grain, grape vines, sugar cane, and other plants suitable for settler use and of commercial value, were planted. Domesticated animals were brought, such as chickens, rabbits, cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs. Houses were built and villages established.

The islands were settled by a mixed group of people from the Portuguese provinces of Algarve, Minho, Alentejo and Ribatejo. Also, Madeirans, Moorish prisoners, enslaved Africans, French, Italians, Scots, English, Germans and Flemings were among the early settlers. There were petty criminals, Spanish clergy, Sephardic Jews, soldiers, government officials, European merchants and sugar cane growers.

São Miguel was first settled in 1444, the settlers – mainly from the Estremadura, Alto Alentejo and Algarve areas of Portugal, under the command of Gonçalo Velho Cabral – landing at the site of modern-day Povoação. In 1522 Vila Franca do Campo, then the capital of the island, was devastated by a landslide caused by an earthquake which killed about 5,000 people, and the capital was moved to Ponta Delgada. The town of Vila Franca was rebuilt on the original site and today is a thriving fishing and yachting port. Ponta Delgada received its city status in 1546. Since the first settlement the pioneers applied themselves to the area of agriculture. By the 15th century Graciosa exported wheat, barley, wine and brandy. The goods were sent to Terceira largely due to the proximity of the island.

During the 18th and 19th century, Graciosa was host to many prominent figures, including Chateaubriand, the French writer who passed through upon his escape to America during the French revolution; Almeida Garrett, the Portuguese poet who visited an uncle and wrote some poetry while there; and Prince Albert of Monaco, the 19th century oceanographer who led several expeditions in the waters of the Azores. He arrived on his yacht "Hirondelle", and visited the "furna da caldeira", the noted hot springs grotto.

The first reference to the island of São Jorge was made in 1439 but the actual date of discovery is unknown. In 1443 the island was already inhabited but active settlement only began with the arrival of the noble Flemish native Wilhelm Van der Haegen. Arriving at Topo, where he lived and died, he became known as Guilherme da Silveira to the islanders. João Vaz Corte-Real received the captaincy of the island in 1483. Velas became a town before the end of the 15th century. By 1490, there were 2,000 Flemings living in the islands of Terceira, Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Flores. Because there was such a large Flemish settlement, the Azores became known as the Flemish Islands or the Isles of Flanders. Prince Henry the Navigator was responsible for this settlement. His sister, Isabel, was married to Duke Philip of Burgundy of which Flanders was a part. There was a revolt against Philip's rule and disease and hunger became rampant. Isabel appealed to Henry to allow some of the unruly Flemings to settle in the Azores. He granted this and supplied them with the necessary transportation and goods.

The settlement of the then-unoccupied islands started in 1439 with people mainly from the continental provinces of Algarve and Alentejo. In 1583, Philip II of Spain, as king of Portugal, sent his fleet to clear the Azores of a combined multinational force of adventurers, mercenaries, volunteers and soldiers who were attempting to establish the Azores as a staging post for a rival pretender to the Portuguese throne. Following the success of his fleet at the Battle of Ponta Delgada, the captured enemies were hanged from yardarms, as they were considered pirates by Philip II.[citation needed] (This was added to the "Black Legend" by his enemies.) An English expedition against the Azores in 1597, the Islands Voyage, also failed. Spain held the Azores in what is called The Babylonian captivity of 1580–1642. Into the late 16th century, the Azores as well as Madeira began to face problems of overpopulation. Spawning from that particular economic problem, some of the people began to emigrate to Brazil.[10]

[edit] Iberian Union

The Azores were the last part of the Portuguese Empire to resist Philip's reign over Portugal (Macau resisted any official recognition) and were returned to Portuguese control with the end of the Iberian Union in 1640, not by the professional military, who were used in the Restoration War in the mainland, but by local people attacking a fortified Castilian garrison.

[edit] Liberal Wars

The Portuguese Civil War (1828–1834) had strong repercussions in the Azores. In 1829, in Praia da Vitoria, the Liberals won over the absolutists, making Terceira Island the main headquarters of the new Portuguese regime and also where the Council of Regency (Conselho de Regência) of Maria II of Portugal was established.

Beginning in 1868, Portugal issued its stamps overprinted with "AÇORES" for use in the islands. Between 1892 and 1906, it also issued separate stamps for the three administrative districts of the time.

From 1836 to 1976, the archipelago was divided into three districts, equivalent (except in area) to those in the Portuguese mainland. The division was arbitrary, and did not follow the natural island groups, rather reflecting the location of each district capital on the three main cities (none of which were on the western group).

• Angra do Heroísmo consisted of Terceira, São Jorge, and Graciosa, with the capital at Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira.
• Horta consisted of Pico, Faial, Flores, and Corvo, with the capital at Horta on Faial.
• Ponta Delgada consisted of São Miguel and Santa Maria, with the capital at Ponta Delgada on São Miguel.

[edit] 20th century

In 1931 the Azores (together with Madeira and Portuguese Guinea) revolted against the Ditadura Nacional and were held briefly by military rebels.[11]

In 1943, during World War II, Portuguese dictator António de Oliveira Salazar leased bases in the Azores to the British, despite his previous collaboration with Germany.[12] The occupation of these facilities in October 1943 was codenamed Operation Alacrity by the Allies.[13] This was a key turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic, allowing the Allies to provide aerial coverage in the Mid-Atlantic gap; helping them to hunt U-boats and protect convoys.

In 1944, American forces constructed a small and short-lived air base on the island of Santa Maria. In 1945, a new base was constructed on the island of Terceira and is currently known as Lajes Field. This base is in an area called Lajes, a broad, flat sea terrace that had been a farm. Lajes Field is a plateau rising out of the sea on the northeast corner of the island. This air base is a joint American and Portuguese venture. Lajes Field continues to support United States and Portuguese military operations. During the Cold War, the United States Navy P-3 Orion anti-submarine squadrons patrolled the North Atlantic for Soviet submarines and surface spy vessels. Since its inception, Lajes Field has been used for refuelling aircraft bound for Europe, and more recently, the Middle East. The United States Navy operates a small fleet of military ships in the harbour of Praia da Vitória, three kilometres (2 mi) southeast of Lajes Field. The airfield also has a small commercial terminal handling scheduled and chartered passenger flights from other islands in the archipelago, Europe, and North America.

In 1976, the Azores became the Autonomous Region of the Azores (Região Autónoma dos Açores), one of the Autonomous regions of Portugal, and the Azorean districts were suppressed.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Physical geography

The archipelago of the Azores is located in the middle of the northern hemisphere of the Atlantic Ocean and extends along a west-northwest to east-southeast orientation (between 36.5°–40° North latitudes and 24.5°–31.5° West longitudes) in an area approximately 600 km wide. The islands of the Azores emerged from what is called the Azores Platform, a 5.8 million km² region that is morphologically accented by a depth of 2000 meters.[14][15]

From a geostructural perspective the Azores is located above an active triple junction between three of the world's large tectonic plates (the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate),[15] a condition that has translated into the existence of many faults and fractures in this region of the Atlantic .[16] The westernmost islands of the archipelago (Corvo and Flores) are located in the North American Plate, while the remaining islands are located within the boundary that divides the Eurasian and African Plates.

The principal tectonic structures that exist in the region of the Azores are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Terceira Rift, the Azores Fracture Zone and the Glória Fault.[15] The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the main frontier between the American Plate and the African-Eurasian Plates that crosses the Azores Platform between the islands of Flores and Faial from north to south then to the southwest; it is an extensive form crossed by many transform faults running perpendicular to its north-south orientation, that is seismically active and susceptible to volcanism. The Terceira Rift is a system of fractures that extends from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the Glória Fault that represents the main frontier between the Eurasian and African Plates. It is defined by a line of submarine volcanoes and island mounts that extend northwest to southeast for about 550 km, from the area west of Graciosa until the islets of the Formigas, that includes the islands of Graciosa, Terceira and São Miguel. Its northwest limit connects to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, while the southeast section intersects the Gloria Fault southeast of the island of Santa Maria. The Azores Fracture Zone is that extends from the Glória Fault and encompasses a relatively inactive area to the south of the islands of the Central and Eastern groups north to the Terceira Rift, along a 45° angle. The Glória Fault, for its part, extends 800 km along a linear line from the Azores to the Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault.[17]

The island's volcanism is associated with the rifting along the Azores Triple Junction; the spread of the crust along the existing faults and fractures has produced many of the active volcanic and seismic events,[18] while supported by buoyant upwelling in the deeper mantle, some associate with an Azores hotspot.[19] Most of the volcanic activity has centered, primarily, along the Terceira Rift. From the beginning of the island's settlement, around the 15th Century, there have been 28 registered volcanic eruptions (15 terrestrial and 13 submarine). The last significant volcanic eruption, the Capelinhos volcano (Vulcão dos Capelinhos), occurred off the coast of the island of Faial (in 1957); the most recent volcanic activity occurred in the seamounts and submarine volcanoes off the coast of Serreta and in the Pico-Jão Jorge Channel.[20] The islands have many examples of volcano-built geomorphology, including: many of the caves and subterranean lava tubes (such as the Gruta das Torres, Algar do Carvão, Gruta do Natal, Gruta das Cinco Ribeiras), the coastal lava fields (like the coast of Feteiras, Faial, the Mistério of Prainha or São João on Pico Island) in addition to the currently inactive cones in central São Miguel Island, the aforementioned Capelinhos on Faial, the volcanic complexes of Terceira or Plinian caldeira of Corvo Island.

The islands of the archipelago were formed through volcanic and seismic activity during the late Tertiary geological period; the first embryonic surfaces started to appear in the waters of Santa Maria during the Miocene epoch (from circa 8 million years ago). The sequence of the island formation has been generally characterized as: Santa Maria (8.12 Ma), São Miguel (4.1 Ma), Terceira (3.52 Ma), Graciosa (2.5 Ma), Flores (2.16 Ma), Faial (0.7 Ma), São Jorge (0.55 Ma), Corvo (0.7 Ma) and the youngest, Pico (0.27 Ma).[21] Although all islands have experienced volcanism during their geological history, within recorded "human settlement" history the islands of Santa Maria, Flores, Corvo and Graciosa have not experienced any volcanic eruptions; in addition to active fumaroles and hot-springs, the remaining islands have had sporadic eruptions since the 14th Century. Apart from the Capelinhos volcano in 1957–58, the last recorded instance of "island formation" occurred off the coast of São Miguel, when the island of Sabrina was briefly formed.

Owing to its geodynamic environment, the region has been center of intense seismic activity, particularly along its tectonic boundaries on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Terceira Rift. Seismic events although frequent, usually tectonic or vulco-tectonic in nature, but in general low to medium intensities, occasionally punctuated by events of level 5 or greater on the Richter scale.[22][23] The most severe earthquake was registered in 1757, near Calheta on the island of São Jorge, which exceeded 7 on the Richter scale. In comparison, the 1522 earthquake, mentioned by Gaspar Frutuoso the historian, was only a magnitude 6.8, but a level 10 on the Mercalli scale,[24] but responsible for the destruction of Vila Franca do Campo and landslides that may have killed less than 5000 of the inhabitants.

The nine islands that comprise the archipelago occupy a surface area of 2,346 km2 (906 sq mi), that includes both the main islands and many islets located in their vicinities. Each of the islands have their own distinct geomorphological characteristics that make them unique: Corvo (the smallest island) is a crater of a major Plinian eruption; Flores (its neighbor on the North American Plate) is a rugged island carved by many valleys and escarpments; Faial characterized for its shield volcano and caldera (Cabeço Gordo); Pico, is the highest point, at 2,351 metres (7,713 ft), in the Azores and continental Portugal; Graciosa is known for its active Furnas do Enxofre and mixture of volcanic cones and plains; São Jorge is a long slender island, formed from fissural eruptions over thousands of years; Terceira, almost circular, is the location of one of the largest craters in the region; São Miguel is the largest island, and is pitted with many large craters and fields of spatter cones; and Santa Maria, the oldest island, is heavily eroded, being one of the few places to encounter brown sandy beaches in the archipelago. They range in surface area from the largest, São Miguel, at 759 km2 (293 sq mi) to the smallest, Corvo, at approximately 17 km2 (7 sq mi).

These islands have naturally evolved into three recognizable groups located within the Azores Platform; they are:

In addition, several sub-surface reefs (particularly the Dollabarat on the fringe of the Formigas), banks (specifically the Princess Alice Bank and D. João de Castro Bank, as well as many hydrothermal vents and sea-mounts are monitored by the regional authorities, owing to the complex geotectonic and socio-economic significance within the economic exclusion zone of the archipelago.

The archipelago lies in the Palearctic ecozone, forming a unique biome that includes the macaronesian subtropical laurissilva, with many endemic species of plants. Even though the Azores look very green and sometimes wild, the vegetation has been extremely altered. Approximately 95% of laurisilva has been wiped out in the past 600 years for its valuable wood (for tools, buildings, boats, fire wood, and so on.) and to clear land for agriculture. As a result, it is estimated that more than half of insects on the islands have disappeared or will become extinct.[25] Many cultivated places (which are traditionally dedicated to pasture or to growing colocasia, potatoes, maize and other crops) have now been abandoned, especially as a result of emigration. Consequently, some invasive plants have filled these deserted and disturbed lands. The two most common of these alien species are Pittosporum undulatum and Acacia melanoxylon. They are usually restricted to ancient agricultural land and only rarely penetrate into undisturbed native vegetation. The main loss is in the lowlands (below 400 metres), where virtually all laurisilva was eradicated.

A few Persea indica and Picconia azorica still survive in some places, but appear to be extremely vulnerable. Only Myrica faya seems to have survived human impact quite well, and it is commonly found in hedges or among exotic trees. More recent introductions could become a serious threat, like Leptospermum scoparium which has the ability to colonize the still nearly untouched medium-altitude vegetation (Ilex, Myrsine africana, Erica, and so on.).

Hydrangeas are another potential pest, but their threat is less serious. Notwithstanding the fact that Hydrangeas were introduced from America or Asia, some locals consider them to be a symbol of the archipelago and propagate them along roadsides, helping them to escape into the wild. Cryptomeria, the Japanese cedar, is a conifer extensively grown for its timber; many seedlings can be found in the last remnants of medium-altitude native vegetation.

The Azores has two endemic bird species. The Azores Bullfinch, or Priolo, is restricted to remnant laurisilva forest in the mountains at the eastern end of São Miguel, and is classified by BirdLife International as endangered. Monteiro's Storm-petrel, described to science as recently as 2008, is known to breed in just two locations in the islands, but may occur more widely. The Azores also has an endemic bat, the Azores Noctule, which is unusual in regularly feeding during the day.

The islets of the Formigas (the Portuguese word for "ants"), including the area known as the Dollabarat Reef, has a rich environment of maritime species, such as black coral and manta rays, sharks, and sea turtles. On São Miguel there are notable micro-habitats formed by hot springs that host extremophile microorganisms.[26]

[edit] Climate

The archipelago is spread out in the area between 37° N and the parallels of latitude that pass through the Lisbon area (38° 43' / 38° 55' N), giving it generally a tepid, oceanic, subtropical climate, with mild annual oscillations. Daily maximum temperatures usually range between 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F). The average annual rainfall increases from east to west, and it ranges from 700 to 1600 annual millimetres (27.6–63 in) on average, reaching 6,300 millimetres (250 in) on Mount Pico,[27] the highest Portuguese mountain at 2,351 m (7,713 ft). The Azores high, an area of high atmospheric pressure, is named after the islands.

Climate data for the Archipelago of the Azores (1971–2000)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	16.0 (60.8)	15.8 (60.4)	16.3 (61.3)	17.1 (62.8)	18.6 (65.5)	20.9 (69.6)	23.6 (74.5)	24.8 (76.6)	23.8 (74.8)	21.2 (70.2)	18.8 (65.8)	17.0 (62.6)	19.49 (67.08)
Average low °C (°F)	11.5 (52.7)	11.1 (52.0)	11.6 (52.9)	12.1 (53.8)	13.4 (56.1)	15.5 (59.9)	17.7 (63.9)	18.7 (65.7)	18.1 (64.6)	16.1 (61.0)	14.1 (57.4)	12.6 (54.7)	14.38 (57.88)
Precipitation cm (inches)	11.17 (4.398)	10.86 (4.276)	9.96 (3.921)	8.52 (3.354)	5.96 (2.346)	4.85 (1.909)	3.26 (1.283)	5.69 (2.24)	9.63 (3.791)	12.4 (4.88)	12.95 (5.098)	13.63 (5.366)	109.05 (42.933)
Source: Instituto de Meteorologia, IP Portugal.[28]

In addition, the Instituto de Meteorologia has identified the following weather extremes:

• Highest minimum air temperature: 24.3 °C (75.7 °F), in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira (30/06/1996)
• Lowest minimum air temperature: −3.5 °C (25.7 °F), in Chã das Lagoinhas, São Miguel (02/01/1973)
• Highest maximum air temperature: 32.1 °C (89.8 °F), in Madalena, Pico (07/09/1985)
• Lowest maximum air temperature: 4.0 °C (39.2 °F), Chã das Lagoinhas, São Miguel (20/02/1972)
• Maximum precipitation in 24 hours: 27.6 cm (10.87 in), Furnas, São Miguel (03/10/1974)
• Maximum wind speed: >168 km/hour, Angra do Heroísmo, (Terceira 02/11/1995)[29]

[edit] Human geography

The Azores are divided into 19 municipalities (concelhos); each municipality is further divided into parishes (freguesias), of which there is a total of 156 in all of the Azores. The municipalities, by island, are:

Island	Group	Population[5]	Local Administrative Units	Main Settlement
2011	% Total	No	Municipalities (Concelho)
São Miguel	Eastern	137,830	55.86	6	Lagoa, Nordeste, Ponta Delgada, Povoação, Ribeira Grande, Vila Franca do Campo	Ponta Delgada
Terceira	Central	56,437	22.87	2	Angra do Heroísmo, Praia da Vitória	Angra do Heroísmo
Faial	Central	14,994	6.08	1	Horta	Horta
Pico	Central	14,148	5.73	3	Lajes do Pico, Madalena, São Roque do Pico	São Roque do Pico
São Jorge	Central	9,171	3.72	2	Calheta, Velas	Velas
Santa Maria	Eastern	5,552	2.25	1	Vila do Porto	Vila do Porto
Graciosa	Central	4,391	1.78	1	Santa Cruz da Graciosa	Santa Cruz da Graciosa
Flores	Western	3,793	1.54	2	Lajes das Flores, Santa Cruz das Flores	Santa Cruz das Flores
Corvo	Western	430	0.17	1	Vila do Corvo	Vila do Corvo
Total		246,746		19

There are five cities (Portuguese: cidades) in the Azores: Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande on the island of São Miguel; Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória on the island of Terceira, and Horta on Faial. Three of these Ponta Delgada, Angra and Horta are considered capital/administrative cities to the regional government: homes to the President (Ponta Delgada), the Judiciary (Angra) and the Regional Assembly (Horta). Angra also serves as the ecclesiastical centre of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Angra.

[edit] Population

According to 2011 Census, the Azores' population was 246,746 at a density of 106 inhabitants per square kilometre (270 /sq mi).

The Azores were uninhabited when Portuguese navigators arrived in the early 15th century; the settlement process was initiated in 1439 with individuals from various regions of mainland Portugal and from Madeira island. Today, the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Azores are an admixture of Portuguese, descendants of 15th century immigrants from Algarve, Alentejo and from Minho, as well as Sephardic Jews, Moorish prisoners, Flemish, French, Spaniards, and other populations who contributed to the successive settlement process of the islands. The nature of the economy dictated that African slavery never became common in the Azores because they were sent to Brazil and the Caribbean, only a few remained in the Azores to help with domestic chores, although the islands sometimes served as a waypoint for ships carrying African slaves.[30]

[edit] Genetics

Genetic studies (Pacheco et al., 2005; Branco et al., 2006; Branco et al., 2008a, 2008b, 2008c) report high genetic variability and heterogeneity in the Azorean population, as compared with mainland Portugal and other European populations. This high genetic variability may be explained by the history of the settlement of the islands, as well as genetic contributions that occurred during the expansion of trade navigation between Europe, America, and Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. As in continental Portugal, the most frequent mtDNA haplogroup in the Azores is H (45.2%). After R, Haplogroup J is the second most frequent Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup in the Azores. Y-chromosome Haplogroup J, found in greatest concentration in Southwest Asia, is thought to have originated in the Middle East. Data show that in the Azores this haplogroup is the second most common, with a frequency of 13.4%, twice as high as in mainland Portugal (6.8%; Rosser et al. 2000). The other non-European haplogroups, N3 and E3a, which are prevalent in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, respectively, have been found in the Azores (0.6% and 1.2%, respectively) but not in mainland Portugal.

Azores Genetic Profile: Mtdna profile: Haplogroup pre-HV = 56% (Middle East, Arabia); Haplogroup H = 45.2% (Europe); Haplogroup K = 6.5% (Europe, France, Italy, Spain); Haplogroup L = 3.4% (Africa); Haplogroup T = 10.1% (Spain); Haplogroup U = 16.7% (Scandinavia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium).

Y-chromosome DNA profile: Haplogroup E1b1b = 9% (northern Africa, Europe, Spain; the Balkans); Haplogroup E3a = (Africa, Berbers, Tunisians, Moroccan Arabs); Haplogroup G = (Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia); Haplogroup I = 5% (Europe, Near East, Caucasus, Central Asia; Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Dagestan); Haplogroup I1b = 30.8% (Eurasia, Slavic, Uralic people of Eastern Europe; Lebanese); Haplogroup I1c =  ?% ( ? ); Haplogroup J = 13% (southwestern Arabian Peninsula, north Africa, southern Europe); Haplogroup N3 = (Scandinavia, northern Europe, Ukraine, Poland, Volga-Ural region); Haplogroup Q = (Central Asia; the Americas, north Africa, Asia, Europe, Pacific region); Haplogroup R1b = 61.5% (Europe: southern Portugal, western Norway, Tehuelche Argentina, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, central Portugal, Vienna Austria, Spanish, Irish); Haplogroup R1b3 = 60% (European: Spanish, Catalans, Portuguese, French, Danes, etc.; Irish).

[edit] Diaspora

Since the 17th century, many Azoreans have emigrated, mainly to Brazil, the United States and Canada.[31]Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, especially the cities of New Bedford, Bristol, Barrington, Pawtucket, Central Falls, West Warwick, Hudson, River Point, and Fall River have been, and continue to be the primary destination for Azorean emigrants.[32] Northern California was the final destination for many of the Massachusetts immigrants who then moved on to the San Joaquin Valley, especially the city of Turlock, just south of Modesto. The tuna fishing industry drew a significant number of Azoreans to the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, in Southern California.[33] In 1919, there were approximately 300,000 people in the Azores while there were 100,000 Azoreans in the United States.[34] From 1961 to 1977, about 150,000 Azoreans immigrated to the United States.[35] There were an estimated 83,000 Azoreans in California in the 1970s.[36]

Many Azoreans also moved to Bermuda and the Hawaii.[36]Florianópolis and Porto Alegre in the Southern Region of Brazil were founded by Azoreans, who accounted for over half of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina's population in the late 18th century.[37] As late as 1870-4 some 46,000 Portuguese emigrated to Brazil and a large proportion were from the Azores.[36]

[edit] Politics

Politically, since 1976, the Azores is an autonomous region integrated within the framework of the Portuguese Republic. It has its own government and autonomous legislature within its own political-administrative statute and organic law. Its governmental organs include: the Legislative Assembly, a unicameral parliament composed of 52 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for day-to-day operations. It is represented in the Council of Ministers by a representative appointed by the President of the Republic, which was created during the revision of the constitution of 2004 (which, among other things, removed the older Portuguese representative that was appointed by the President of the Republic, beholden to the Council of State and coincident with the President).

Since becoming a Portuguese autonomous region, the executive branch of the regional authority has been located in Ponta Delgada, the legislative branch in Horta, and the judicial branch in Angra do Heroísmo.

The islands of the archipelago do not have independent status in law, except in electoral law and are governed by 19 municipalities that subdivide the islands. In addition, until the administrative reform of the 19th Century, the following civil parishes had municipal standing: Topo (today integrated into the municipality of Calheta, São Jorge); Praia da Graciosa (today integrated into municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa); São Sebastião (today an integral part of the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo); Capelas (now part of the municipality of Ponta Delgada); and Água de Pau (now a civil parish in the municipality of Lagoa). These civil parishes still retain their titles of "vila" in name only, by Regional Legislative Decree n.º 29/2003/A, June 24, 2003; the populations of Capelas and neighbouring parish still protest the change and promote the restoration of their status. The municipalities are also subdivided into several civil parishes, with the exception of Corvo (the only municipality by law without a civil parish, owing to its size).

Azorean politics are dominated by the two largest Portuguese political parties, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Socialist Party (PS), the latter holding a majority in the Regional Legislative Assembly. The Democratic and Social Center / People's Party (CDS/PP), the Left Bloc (BE), the Unitarian Democratic Coalition (CDU) and the People's Monarchist Party (PPM) are also represented in the local parliament. Currently, as of the 2008 Regional Elections[update], the Socialist Party (PS) and its leader, Carlos César have a plurality of the seats in the Assembly, and operate the Regional Government. Although the PS dominates the regional politics, the PSD is traditionally popular in city and town council elections.

[edit] International affairs

In 2003, the Azores saw international attention when United States President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar and the Portuguese Prime Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso held a summit there days before the commencement of the Iraq War.[38]

[edit] Transport

[edit] Aviation

Each of the nine islands has an airfield,[39] although the majority are aerodromes rather than airports. The commercial terminals in Ponta Delgada, Horta, Vila do Porto and Santa Cruz das Flores are operated by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, a public entity that oversees the operations of airports across Portugal. The remaining, except for Lajes Field, are operated by the Regional Government. Lajes is a military airbase, as well as commercial airport, and is operated by the Portuguese Armed Forces in conjunction with the United States

[edit] Marine transport

The Azores has had a long history of water transport to overcome distances and establish inter-community contacts and trade. Consequently, the shipbuilding industry developed in many islands, from small fishing boats, to whaling sloops to larger passenger services.[40] Passenger traffic to the main islands (São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira and Faial) began in the 17th century, and between the 18th-19th century, the Pico Yacht controlled the lucrative summer traffic season.[40]

After 1871, the Insulana Shipping Company was the only entity responsible for regular traffic between the islands (except Corvo), Madeira and the United States.[40] But, cargo and passenger transportation ceased in the 1970s, and the ships sold or converted into tuna fishing boats. For the next 20 years, commercial maritime service between the islands (except between Faial-Pico and Lajes das Flores-Vila do Corvo) ceased.[40]

Transmaçor (Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda.) was founded on 22 December 1987, resulting from the fusion of Empresa das Lanchas do Pico, Ld, owners of the ships Espalamaca and Calheta (ships that had travelled the canal between Faial and Pico for several years); Empresa Açoreana de Transportes Marítimos, Lda, which operated the ship Terra Alta; and Transcanal (Transportes Marítimos do Canal, Lda.) operator the traditional boats Picaroto and Manuel José.[41][42] In the Central Group, the shipping company operates four to six time daily connections between Horta and Madalena throughout the year, using its small fleet of ships (Cruzeiro das Ilhas, Cruzeiro do Canal, Expresso das Ilhas and Expresso do Triângulo), in addition to inter-island connections between Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Terceira during the summer months.[41]

Meanwhile, new initiatives began in the late 1990s: the catamaran Iapetos began services, followed by Lady of Mann and Golfinho Azul (chartered by Açorline).[40] In 2005, Atlanticoline was established, providing services with the ships Ilha Azul and Express Santorini, later adding the Viking in 2009.[40]

On 20 June 2011, the Regional Government announced that it would purchase 60% of Transmaçor, equivalent to 500,000 Euro of the company's capital.[43] With this acquisition the Autonomous government of the Azores controlled 88% of the capital, with 12% to shareholders.[43] The signed memorandum of understanding concluded negotiations between the various parties involved, under which the liability of Transmaçor (worth a total of 8 million Euro) was divided equally between the Region and businessman José Almeida, who is the holder of a majority stake in the company.[43]

Similarly, the Regional Government approved the consolidation of the three individual port authorities (Administração dos Portos do Triângulo e Grupo Ocidental, Administração dos Portos da Terceira e Graciosa and the Administração dos Portos das Ilhas de São Miguel e Santa Maria) and regional Portos dos Açores into one entity that resulted in a 2.2 million Euro cost savings, in addition to a reduction from 11 to three administrators.[44]

[edit] Culture

Azoreans have developed their own distinct regional identity and cultural traits, from a combination of continental Portuguese customs brought by various waves of immigration and local political and environmental factors.

Religious festivals, patron saints and traditional holidays mark the Azorean calender. The most important religious events are tied with the festivals associated with the Cult of the Holy Spirit, commonly referred to as the festivals of the Holy Spirit (or Espírito Santo), rooted in millenarian dogma and held on all islands from May to September. These festivals are very important to the Azorean people, who are primarily Roman Catholic, and combine religious rituals with processions celebrating the benevolence and egalitarianism of neighbours. These events are centred around treatros or impérios, small buildings that host the meals, adoration and charity of the participants, and used to store the artefacts associated with the events. On Terceira, for example, these impérios have grown into ornate buildings painted and cared for by the local brotherhoods in their respective parishes. The events are focused on the members of local parishes, not tourists, but all are welcome as sharing is one of the main principles of the festivals. Some limited events have been organized to be more focused on tourists, including a public event held by the city government in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, which attracts visitors and locals.

Another event, the Festival of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (English: Lord Holy Christ of Miracles) in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel is the largest individual religious event in the Azores, and takes place on the fifth Sunday after Easter. Pilgrims from within the Portuguese diaspora normally travel to Ponta Delgada to participate in an afternoon procession behind the image of Christ along the flower-decorated streets of the city. Although the solemn procession is only held on one day, the events of the Festival of Senhor Santo Cristo occur over a period of a week, and involve a ritual of moving the image between the main church and convent nightly, ultimately culminating in the procession, which is televised within the Azores and to the Portuguese diaspora. The Sanjoaninas Festivities in Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira are held in June honoring S. Antonio, S. Pedro and St. João, in a large religious celebration.

The festival of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, (Our Lady of Lourdes), patron saint of whalers, begins in Lajes on Pico on the last Sunday the August and runs through the week—Whalers Week. It is marked by social and cultural events connected to the tradition of whale hunting. The Festa das Vindimas, (Wine Harvest Festival), takes place during the first week of September and is a century old custom of the people of Pico.

In Corvo the people celebrate their patron saint Nossa Senhora dos Milagres (Our Lady of Miracles) on August 15 every year in addition to the festivals of the Divine Holy Spirit. The Festival da Maré de Agosto (August Sea Festival), takes place every year beginning on 15 August in Praia Formosa on Santa Maria. Also, the Semana do Mar (Sea Week), dedicated almost exclusively to water sports, takes place in August in the city of Horta, on Faial.

Carnaval is also celebrated in the Azores. Parades and pageants are the heart of the Carnaval festivities. There is lively music, colorful costumes, hand-made masks, and floats. The traditional bullfights in the bullring are ongoing, as is the running of bulls in the streets.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

1. ^ Seat of the Judiciary/Tribunal and Roman Catholic Diocese of Angra
2. ^ Seat of Legislature and Regional Assembly
3. ^ Seat of Presidency and Government
4. ^ Until 2002, the Portuguese escudo was used in financial transactions, and until 1910 the Portuguese real was the currency used by the monarchy of Portugal.
5. ^ a b INE, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Censos 2011 - Resultadas Preliminares [2011 Census - Preliminary Results], Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Nacional de Estatística, http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes&PUBLICACOESpub_boui=131011251&PUBLICACOEStema=5414321&PUBLICACOESmodo=2, retrieved 1 January 2012 
6. ^ IGP, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Carta Administrativa Oficial de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Geográfico Português, http://www.igeo.pt/produtos/cadastro/caop/download/Areas_Freg_Mun_Dist_CAOP2010.zip, retrieved 1 January 2012 
7. ^ Lusa (5 March 2011). J.M.A.. ed (in Portuguese). Estruturas podem ter mais de dois mil anos: Monumentos funerários descobertos nos Açores. Lisbon, Portugal: Correio da Manhã. http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/detalhe/noticias/ultima-hora/monumentos-funerarios-descobertos-nos-acores. Retrieved 18 June 2011 [dead link]
8. ^ Lusa (27 June 2011). A.O. Online. ed (in Portuguese). Estudos arqueológicos podem indicar presença prévia ao povoamento das ilhas. Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal: Açoreana Oriental. http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216916. Retrieved 27 June 2011 
9. ^ a b c Ashe, Thomas (1813). History of the Azores, or. Western islands. Oxford University. 
10. ^ Scammell, G.V (1989). The First Imperial Age. Unwin Hyman. 
11. ^ Payne, Stanley (1972). A History of Spain and Portugal - Ch27. Madison WI: University of Wisconsin. http://libro.uca.edu/payne2/payne27.htm. Retrieved 22 June 2011 
12. ^ "The Role of Portugal -co-opting Nazi Gold, Jonathan Petropoulos, "Dimensions", Vol 11, No 1, 1997". Adl.org. http://www.adl.org/Braun/dim_14_1_neutrality_europe.asp. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
13. ^ M B Barrass (2001-2008). "Air of Authority: A History of RAF Organisation". Royal Air Force Organization (RAFWeb.org). http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Bromet.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
14. ^ Miranda, et.al., 1998
15. ^ a b c Machado, et.al., 2008, p.14
16. ^ Lúis, 1994, p.439–440
17. ^ Madeira, 1998
18. ^ Ferreira, 2005, p.4
19. ^ Ting Yang, et.al., 2006, p.20
20. ^ "Erupções vulcânicas históricas [Historical Volcanic Eruptions]". Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos (CVARG). 2010. http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/GA+-+Vulcanismo+Historico.htm. Retrieved April 15, 2010. ; Evidence for the submarine eruptions off the coasts of Velas, São Jorge Island and Cachorro, Santa Luzia, Pico Island included primarily from inferences and eyewitness testimonies about sulfuric gases and vapors released from the waters along the coast (February 15–24, 1964 and December 15, 1963, respectively)
21. ^ Carine, 2010, p.78
22. ^ Ferreira, 2005, p.110
23. ^ "Actividade Sísmica [Seismic Activity]" (in Portuguese). CVARG. 2010. http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/Cvarg/CentroVulcanologia/geologiaacores/VA+-+Sismicidade+instrumental.htm. Retrieved 15 April 2010. 
24. ^ Ferreira, 2005, p.111
25. ^ Triantis, K. A.; Borges, P. A. V.; Ladle, R. J.; Hortal, J.; Cardoso, P.; Gaspar, C.; Dinis, F.; Mendonça, E. et al. (2010). "Extinction debt on oceanic islands". Ecography: no. DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06203.x.  edit
26. ^ Hogan, C. Michael (10 December 2010). "Encyclopedia of Earth". In Monosson, Emily; Cleveland, Cutler J.. Washington D.C.: National Council for Science and the Environment. http://www.eoearth.org/article/Extremophile?topic=49540. Retrieved 10 January 2010. 
27. ^ "Climate of the Azores islands". Azores Weather. http://www.azoresweather.com. Retrieved 2009-05-05. 
28. ^ "Normais Climatológicas (1971–2000)". June 2011. http://www.meteo.pt. 
29. ^ Maximum wind speed recorded during Hurricane Tanya (1995), Institute of Meteorology, IP Portugal [1]
30. ^ Melvin Eugene Page and Penny M. Sonnenburg (2003). Colonialism: An International, Social, Cultural, and Political Encyclopedia. ISBN 978-1-57607-335-3. http://books.google.com/?id=qFTHBoRvQbsC&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=azores+slavery. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
31. ^ "Azores Islands". Library.csustan.edu. 1997-01-17.. http://library.csustan.edu/bsantos/azores.html. Retrieved 2009-05-05. 
32. ^ By: Lurdes C. da Silva 08/22/2008 (2008-08-22). "Mass.- Azores links inked". O Jornal. http://www.ojornal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20087125&BRD=2677&PAG=461&dept_id=543384&rfi=6. Retrieved 2009-05-05. [dead link]
33. ^ Orbach, Michael K. (1977). "Hunters, seamen, and entrepreneurs: the tuna seinermen of San Diego" University of California p.7
34. ^ "Azorean Migration". Library.csustan.edu. 1997-01-17.
35. ^ "Azorean Immigration into the United States". Library.csustan.edu.
36. ^ a b c Russell King, John Connell (1999). "Small worlds, global lives: islands and migration". Continuum International Publishing Group. pp.61–65. ISBN 1-85567-548-X
37. ^ Imigrantes: Açorianos
38. ^ CNN.com – Bush speaking in the Azores, March 17, 2003
39. ^ "Flughäfen in Portugal (PT)". Flugplaetze.org. http://www.flugplaetze.org/PT/. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
40. ^ a b c d e f "History" (in Porutguese). Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal: Atlânticoline. 2009. http://www.atlanticoline.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=60&lang=en. Retrieved 14 March 2011. 
41. ^ a b Transmaçor, ed. (2010). "Transmaçor – Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Ldª." (in Portguese). Horta (Azores), Portugal: Transportes Marítimos Açorianos, Lda.. 
42. ^ The societies and companies comprise 80% of the capital, with the remaining shares owned by the Azores Regional Government.
43. ^ a b c Lusa (20 June 2011). "Concluídas negociações para compra da Transmaçor". In AO Online (in Portuguese). http://www.acorianooriental.pt/noticias/view/216797. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 
44. ^ Pinheiro, Maria (8 June 2011) (in Portuguese). Portos dos Açores – Fusão administrativa aprovada na Assembleia Regional. Horta, Portugal: Tribuna das Ilhas. http://www.tribunadasilhas.pt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2170:portos-dos-acores--fusao-administrativa-aprovada-na-assembleia-regional&catid=2:regional&Itemid=3. Retrieved 5 September 2011 

[edit] Sources

• Costa, Antonieta (2007). Pelo sinal do Espírito Santo By the sign of the Holy Spirit. Angra do Heroísmo: Presidência do Governo Reginal dos Açores. Direcção Regional da Cultural. pp. 120p. 
• Clemens, Samuel L. (1869). The Innocents Abroad, or the New Pilgrims Progress. Connecticut: American Publishing Co.. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/978-0-9871644-6-7|978-0-9871644-6-7]]. 
• Lourenço, N.; Miranda, J.M.; Luis, J.F.; Ribeiros, A.; Mendes Victor, L.A.; Madeira, J. and H. Needham (1998). Morpho-tectonic analysis of the Azores Volcanic Plateau from a new bathymetric compilation of the area. 20. Marine Geophysical Researches. pp. 141–156. 
• Luís, J.F.; Miranda, J.M; Galdeano, A.; Patriat, P.; Rossignol, J.C. and L.A. Mendes Victor (1994). The Azores triple junction evolution since 10 Ma from an aeromagnetic survey of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 125. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. pp. 439–459. 
• Madeira, J. (1998) (in Portuguese). Estudos de neotectónica nas ilhas do Faial, Pico e S. Jorge: uma contribuição para o conhecimento geodinâmico da junção tripla dos Açores [Neotectonic studies on the islands of Faial, Pico and S. Jorge: a contribution to the geodynamic knowledge in the triple junction of the Açores]. Lisbon: Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa. 
• Ridley, W.; Watkins, N. and D.Macfarlane (1974). "The oceanic islands: Azores". In E. Nairn and F. Stehli. The ocean basins and margins. New York: Plenum Press. pp. 445–478. 
• Upper mantle structure beneath the Azores hotspot from finite-frequency seismic tomography. 260. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 2006. pp. 11–26. 
• Needham, H; J. Francheteau (1974). Some characteristics of the rift valley in the Atlantic Ocean near 36o48’ north. 22. Earth Planetary Science Letters. pp. 29–43. 
• Ferreira, António de Brum (2005). "Geodinâmica e perigosidade natural nas ilhas dos Açores [Geodynamics and Natural Risks on the Islands of the Azores]" (in Portuguese). Finisterra XL (79): 013–120. 
• Carine, Mark; Schaefer, Hanno (2010). "The Azores diversity enigma: why are there so few Azorean endemic flowering plants and why are they so widespread? [The Azores diversity enigma: why are there so few Azorean endemic flowering plants and why are they so widespread?]". Journal of Biogeography 37 (1): 77–89. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02181.x. 
• "Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos: Observatório Vulcanológica e Sismológico da Universidade dos Açores". Centro de Vulcanologia e Avaliação de Riscos Geológicos (CVARG). 2010. http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt. Retrieved April 15, 2010. 
• Machado, Adriane; Azevedo, José M. M.; Alemeida, Delia P.M.; and Farid Chemale Jr. (2008). "Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks from Faial Island (Azores)". Lisbon: e-Terra, GEOTIC – Sociedade Geológica de Portugal. pp. 1–14. http://e-terra.geopor.pt/artigos/cong_geoq/machado.pdf. 
• R.C. Mitchell-Thomé (1980). "Some geomorphological aspects of the Azores Archipelago". Finistrerra: Revista Portuguesa de Geografia. XV. Lisbon, Portugal: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, University of Lisbon. pp. 201–219. http://www.ceg.ul.pt/finisterra/numeros/1980-30/30_02.pdf. 
• Scammell, G. V. (1989). The First Imperial Age. London: Unwin Hyman. pp. 51–70. 

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Atlas of the Azores

Madeira
Autonomous Region (Região Autónoma)
A view of Funchal, the capital city of the autonomous region.
Flag Symbol
Official name: Região Autónoma da Madeira
Name origin: madeira, Portuguese for wood
Motto: Das ilhas, as mais belas e livres (Of all islands, the most beautiful and free)
Nickname: Pérola do Atlântico (Pearl of the Atlantic)
Country	Portugal
Autonomous Region	Madeira
Region	Atlantic Ocean
Subregion	Tore-Madeira Ridge
Position	Madeira Platform, Savage Islands submarine mount
Islands	Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas, Selvagem
Municipalities	Calheta, Câmara de Lobos, Funchal, Machico, Ponta do Sol, Porto Moniz, Porto Santo, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz, Santana, São Vicente
Capital	Funchal
Largest city	Funchal
- coordinates	32°39′4″N 16°54′35″W / 32.65111°N 16.90972°W / 32.65111; -16.90972
Highest point	Pico Ruivo
- location	Paul da Serra, Santana, Madeira
- elevation	1,862 m (6,109 ft)
Lowest point	Sea level
- location	Atlantic Ocean, Madeira
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Area	801 km2 (309 sq mi)
Population	267,302 (2011) Estimate[1]
Density	308.5 / km2 (799 / sq mi)
Settlement	c. 1420
- Administrative autonomy	c. 1895
- Political autonomy	4 September 1976
Discovery	c. 1415
Management
- location	Assembleia Regional, Sé, Funchal
- elevation	16 m (52 ft)
- coordinates	32°38′49.96″N 16°54′29.59″W / 32.6472111°N 16.9082194°W / 32.6472111; -16.9082194
Government
- location	Quinta Vigia, Sé, Funchal
- elevation	51 m (167 ft)
- coordinates	32°38′42.39″N 16°54′57.16″W / 32.6451083°N 16.9158778°W / 32.6451083; -16.9158778
President (Government)	Alberto João Jardim (PPD-PSD)
- President (Assembleia)	José Miguel Jardim d´Olival de Mendonça (PPD-PSD)
Timezone	WET (UTC0)
- summer (DST)	WEST (UTC+1)
ISO 3166-2 code	PT-30
Postal code	9XXX-XXX
Area code	(+351) 291 XXX XXX
ccTLD	.pt
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy
Drive	right-side
Demonym	Madeiran; Madeirense
Patron Saint	Nossa Senhora do Monte
Holiday	1 July
Anthem	A Portuguesa (national) Hino da Madeira (regional)
Currency	Euro (€)[2]
Gross domestic product (PPP)	€ 6,361 billion[3] (2008)
Per capita GDP	€ 25,800-$35,589[3]
Wikimedia Commons: Madeira
Statistics: Instituto Nacional de Estatística[4]
Website: www.gov-madeira.pt
Geographic detail from CAOP (2010)[5] produced by Instituto Geográfico Português (IGP)

Madeira ( /məˈdɪərə/ mə-DEER-ə or /məˈdɛərə/ mə-DAIR-ə; Portuguese: [mɐˈðejɾɐ] or [mɐˈðɐjɾɐ]) is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between 32°22.3′N 16°16.5′W / 32.3717°N 16.275°W / 32.3717; -16.275 and 33°7.8′N 17°16.65′W / 33.13°N 17.2775°W / 33.13; -17.2775, just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union.[6] The archipelago comprises the major part of one of the two Autonomous regions of Portugal (the other being the Azores located to the northwest), that includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and the Desertas, administered together with the separate archipelago of the Savage Islands.

Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors in the service of Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator) in 1419, and settled after 1420. The archipelago is considered to be the first territorial discovery of the exploratory period of the Portuguese Age of Discovery.

Today, it is a popular year-round resort, being visited every year by about one million tourists,[7] noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, landscapes and embroidery artisans, as well as for its annual New Year celebrations that feature the largest fireworks show in the world, as officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, in 2006.[8][9] The main harbour in Funchal is the leading Portuguese port in cruise liner dockings,[10] being an important stopover for commercial and trans-Atlantic passenger cruises between Europe, the Caribbean and North America.

Madeira is currently the second richest region in Portugal, after Lisbon, with a GDP per capita of 103% of the European average.[11]

[edit] History

[edit] Exploration

Pliny mentioned certain "Purple Islands", their position corresponding to the location of the Fortunate Isles (or Canary Islands), that may have referred to islands of Madeira. Plutarch (Sertorius, 75 AD) referring to the military commander Quintus Sertorius (d. 72 BC), relates that after his return to Cádiz:

"...The islands are said to be two in number separated by a very narrow strait and lie 10,000 furlongs from Africa. They are called the Isles of the Blessed"

The estimated distance from Africa (2,000 kilometres/1,250 miles), and the closeness of the two islands, seem to describe the similar position of the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.

[edit] Legend

There is also a romantic tale of two lovers, Robert Machim and Anna d'Arfet, during the reign of King Edward III of England, who, fleeing from England to France in 1346, were driven off their course by a violent storm. Their ship crashed along the coast of an island, that may have been Madeira; later, this story would be used in the naming of Machico, whose name was transliterated from the name of the boy in the tale, in memory of the young lovers.[12]

[edit] Discovery

Much like the Azores, it is clear that some knowledge of Atlantic islands, such as Madeira, existed before the discovery and settlement of these lands, as the islands appear on maps as early as 1339.[13] From a portolan dating to 1351, and preserved in Florence, Italy, it would appear that the islands of Madeira had been discovered, long before Portuguese vessels rediscovered them in the "official" timeline. In Libro del Conocimiento (1348–1349), a Spanish monk also identified the location of the islands in its present location, with the names Leiname, Diserta and Puerto Santo.

Officially, in 1418, two captains under service to Prince Henry the Navigator, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, were driven off-course by a storm to an island which they named Porto Santo (English: holy harbour); the name was bestowed for their gratitude and divine deliverance from a possible shipwreck by the protected anchorage. The following year, an organized expedition, under the captaincy of Zarco and Vaz Teixeira, was sent to this new land, and along with captain Bartolomeu Perestrello, to take possession of the island on behalf of the Portuguese crown. Consequently, the new settlers discovered "a heavy black cloud suspended to the southwest",[14] which when explored they discovered the larger island of Madeira.[15]

[edit] Settlement

The first settlers began colonizing the islands around 1420 or 1425; the three Captains-major had led the first settlement, along with their respective families, a small group of minor nobility, people of modest conditions and some prisoners, who could be trusted to work the lands. To gain the minimum conditions for the development of agriculture, they had to rough-hew a part of the dense forest of laurisilva and to construct a large number of canals (levadas), since in some parts of the island there was excess water, while in others water was scarce. During this period, fish constituted about half of the settlers' diet, together with vegetables and fruits cultivated from small cleared parcels of land. Initially, these colonists produced wheat for their own subsistence, but later the quantity cultivated was sufficient to begin exporting wheat to continental Portugal.

In 23 September 1433, the name Ilha da Madeira (English: Madeira Island, or literally island of wood) began to appear in the first documents and maps. The name given to the islands corresponded to the large dense forests of native laurisilva trees that populated the island during the settlement.

However, when grain production began to fall, the ensuing crisis forced Henry the Navigator, as principal benefactor of the islands, to plant other commercial crops. The planting of sugarcane, and later Sicilian sugar beet, allowed the introduction of the "sweet salt" (as sugar was known) into Europe, where it was a rare and popular spice. These specialized plants, and their associated industrial technology, created one of the major revolutions on the islands and fueled Portuguese industry. The expansion of sugar plantations in Madeira began in 1455, using advisers from Sicily and financed by Genoese capital (it would become an integral part of the island economy until the 17th century). The accessibility of Madeira attracted Genoese and Flemish traders who were keen to bypass Venetian monopolies.

"By 1480 Antwerp had some seventy ships engaged in the Madeira sugar trade, with the refining and distribution concentrated in Antwerp. By the 1490s Madeira had overtaken Cyprus as a producer of sugar."[16]

Sugarcane production was the primary engine of the island's economy, increasing the demand for labour. Slaves were used during portions of the island's history to cultivate sugar cane, and the proportion of imported slaves reached 10% of the total population of Madeira by the 16th century.[17]

In 1617, Algerian pirates, having long enslaved Christians along the Mediterranean coasts, captured 1,200 men and women in Porto Santo.[18][19] After the 17th century, as sugar production shifted to Brazil, São Tomé and Príncipe and elsewhere, Madeira's most important product became its wine. The British occupied Madeira as a result of the Napoleonic Wars, a consented occupation starting in 1807 and concluding in 1814 when the island was returned to Portugal.[20] Nevertheless, the island was a British Crown Colony for four months, and Britain had intentions of keeping it after the Napoleonic Wars, owing to its strategic position, but plans for its permanent annexation were abandonned shortly after the start of the occupation.[21]

When, after the death of King John VI of Portugal, his usurper son Miguel of Portugal seized power from the rightful heir, his niece Maria II, and proclaimed himself 'Absolute King', Madeira held out for the queen under the governor José Travassos Valdez until Miguel sent an expeditionary force and the defence of the island was overwhelmed by crushing force. Valdez was forced to flee to England under the protection of the Royal Navy (September 1828).

[edit] World War I

The effect on Portugal in World War I was first felt in Madeira on December 3, 1916 when the German U-boat, SM U-38, captained by Max Valentiner went into Funchal harbour on Madeira and torpedoed and sank 3 ships, CS Dacia (1,856 tons),[22]Kanguroo (2,493 tons)[23] and Surprise (680 tons).[24] The commander of the French Gunboat Surprise and 34 of her crew (7 Portuguese) died in the attack. The Dacia, a British cable laying vessel,[25] had previously undertaken war work off the coast of Casablanca and Dakar, was in the process of diverting the German South American cable into Brest, France. Following the attack on the ships, the Germans proceeded to bombard Funchal for two hours from a range of about 2 miles. Batteries on Madeira returned fire and eventually forced the Germans to withdraw.

In 1917 on December 12, 2 German U-boats, SM U-156 and SM U-157 (captained by Max Valentiner) again bombarded Funchal, Madeira. This time the attack lasted around 30 minutes. Forty, 4.7-inch (120 mm) and 5.9-inch (150 mm) shells were fired. There were 3 fatalities and 17 wounded, In addition, a number of houses and Santa Clara church were hit.

Charles I (Blessed Charles of Austria) the last Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire went into exile in Madeira, after his second unsuccessful coup d'état in Hungary. He died there on April 1, 1922 and is buried in Monte. Charles I had tried in 1917 to secretly enter into peace negotiations with France. Although his foreign minister, Ottokar Czernin, was only interested in negotiating a general peace which would include Germany as well, Charles himself, in negotiations with the French with his brother-in-law, Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma, an officer in the Belgian Army, as intermediary, went much further in suggesting his willingness to make a separate peace. When news of the overture leaked in April 1918, Charles denied involvement until the French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau published letters signed by him. This led to Czernin's resignation, forcing Austria-Hungary into an even more dependent position with respect to its seemingly wronged German ally. Determined to prevent a restoration attempt, the Council of Allied Powers had agreed on Madeira because it was isolated in the Atlantic and easily guarded.[26]

[edit] Autonomy

On 1 July 1976, following the democratic revolution of 1974, Portugal granted political autonomy to Madeira, celebrated on Madeira Day. The region now has its own government and legislative assembly.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Physical geography

Madeira
Island (Ilha)
A three-dimensional rendering of topographic maps characterizing the island of Madeira
Official name: Ilha da Madeira
Name origin: madeira, Portuguese for the wood
Country	Portugal
Autonomous Region	Madeira
Location	Tore-Madeira Ridge, African Tectonic Plate, Atlantic Ocean
Archipelago	Madeira
Municipalities	Calheta, Câmara de Lobos, Funchal, Machico, Ponta do Sol, Porto Moniz, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz, Santana, São Vicente
Highest point	Pico Ruivo
- location	Pico Ruivo, [(Santana)], Santana
- elevation	1,862 m (6,109 ft)
Lowest point	Sea level
- location	Atlantic Ocean
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	57 km (35 mi), West-East
Width	22 km (14 mi), North-South
Area	740.7 km2 (286 sq mi)
Biomes	Temperate, Mediterranean
Geology	Alkali basalt, Tephra, Trachyte, Trachybasalt
Orogeny	Volcanism
Period	Miocene
Demonym	Madeirense; Madeiran
Ethnic groups	Portuguese
Wikimedia Commons: Madeira
Website: http://www.gov-madeira.pt
Statistics from INE (2001); geographic detail from Instituto Geográfico Português (2010)

The archipelago of Madeira is located 520 km (323.11 mi) from the African coast and 1,000 km (621.37 mi) from the European continent (approximately an one-and-a-half hour flight from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon[27]). It is found in the extreme south of the Tore-Madeira Ridge, a bathymetric structure of great dimensions oriented along a north-northeast to south-southwest axis that extends for 1000 kilometres. This submarine structure consists of long geomorphological relief that extends from the abyssal plain to 3500 meters; its highest submersed point is at a depth of about 150 meters (around latitude 36ºN). The origins of the Tore-Madeira Ridge are not clearly established, but may have resulted from a morphological buckling of the lithosphere.[28][29]

The archipelago itself is a series of oceanic volcanic islands that date back to the Miocene (about 20 million years ago), and constructed from a hotspot in the Earth's crust of the African Tectonic Plate. Madeira, and the smaller Desertas Islands, are the youngest of these islands (dating from 4.6 to 0.7 million years), while Porto Santo, the smaller of the main islands, is the oldest (approximately 14 million years). Since their immersion, there have been five phases related to the volcanism of the group, and they are particularly visible on the island of Madeira, which include:

• Base formation - characterised by large eruptions and ejecta which terminated about three million years ago;
• Peripheral formation - where there is a diminishing level of the projectiles, causing the formation of several dykes and platforms, that terminated about 740,000 years ago;
• High altitude formation - marked by a continuation of projectiles, pyroclastic materials and the formation of faults along the northern and southern coasts (between 400–900 meters);
• Paul da Serra - formation that travelled along the Bica da Cana around 550,000 years ago;
• Recent eruptions, associated with minor island formations; the magma fields discovered on the islands (which terminated about 6500 years ago) are associated with this phase.

These basaltic islands have not seen any volcanic activity within the last 6000 years.

[edit] Islands and islets

• Madeira (740.7 km²), including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest);
• Porto Santo (42.5 km²), including Ilhéu de Baixo ou da Cal, Ilhéu de Ferro, Ilhéu das Cenouras, Ilhéu de Fora, Ilhéu de Cima;
• Desertas Islands (14.2 km²), including the three uninhabited islands: Deserta Grande Island, Bugio Island and Ilhéu de Chão;
• Savage Islands (3.6 km²), including three main islands and 16 uninhabited islets) in two groups: the Northwest Group (Selvagem Grande Island, Ilhéu de Palheiro da Terra, Ilhéu de Palheiro do Mar) and the Southeast Group (Selvagem Pequena Island, Ilhéu Grande, Ilhéu Sul, Ilhéu Pequeno, Ilhéu Fora, Ilhéu Alto, Ilhéu Comprido, Ilhéu Redondo, Ilhéu Norte).

[edit] Madeira Island

The island of Madeira is at the top of a massive shield volcano that rises about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, on the Tore underwater mountain range. The volcano formed atop an east-west rift[30][31] in the oceanic crust along the African Plate, beginning during the Miocene epoch over 5 million years ago, continuing into the Pleistocene until about 700,000 years ago.[32] This was followed by extensive erosion, producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing scoria cones and lava flows atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500 years ago, creating more cinder cones and lava flows.[32]

Madeira Island represents 93% of the archipelago's area, with 90% of the landmass above 500 m. It is the largest island of the group with an area of 741 km2 (286 sq mi), a length of 57 km (35 mi) (from Ponte de São Lourenço to Ponte do Pargo), while approximately 22 km (14 mi) at its widest point (from Ponte da Cruz to Ponte São Jorge), with a coastline of 150 km (93.21 mi). It has a mountain ridge that extends along the center of the island, reaching 1862 meters (6,107 ft) at its highest point (Pico Ruivo), while much lower (below 200 meters) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1862 meter), Torres (1851 meter), Areeiro (1818 meter), Cidrão (1802 meter), Cedro (1759 meter), Casado (1725 meter), Grande (1657 meter), Ferreiro (1582 meter). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vistiges are evident in a calcierous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for calcium oxide production). Sea cliffs, such as Cabo Girão, valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.[33] Daily life has concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.[34] A long, narrow, and comparatively low rocky promontory forms (Paul da Serra) the western extremity of the island, on which lies a tract of calcareous sand known (1300-1500 meter). It is a fossil bed, that contains shells and numerous bodies resembling the roots of trees, probably produced by infiltration.

The island was formed from a base volcanic complex, forming to two massifs:

• The Base Volcanic Complex - was formed during the Miocene period from submarine and sub-aerial eruptions in the central part of the island, and is associated with some of the deeper valleys (São Vicente, Boaventura, Socorridos). The complex extends to the east into the (Porto da Cruz and Machico) ravines until Ponta de São Lourenço and consists of accumulated block pyroclasts, lapilli and ash, layered with basaltic lava. The volcanic material is essentially effusive, of non-viscous compact basalts; the lava formed flows that were not dense which covered the topography and substrata. These first flows were extensive, occupying a large part of the plateau, filling many of the valleys and ending at the sea. More recent episodes were confined into the valley of the São Vicente, Seixal and Porto Moniz ravines. The basaltic flows correspond to the last period of volcanic activity on Madeira (around .5-.2 millions of years). The flows were boxed into the valleys, and fossilized, sometimes, such as in the valley of São Vicente, forming morphological terraces. The island is covered in faults, and easily identifiable in the area around Ribeira Brava, near Encumeada. The spatial distribution of these faults is varied and their align is also diverse, although it is common to encounter some faults from west-northwest to east-south-southeast to northwest to southeast (coincident with the direction of some volcanic cones). Between many of pyroclastic cliffs, there exists a great variability in materials, from large blocks to fine ash, and a intermediary layer referred to locally as feijoco, or lapilli, of a consistency that is more porous. The material is normally dark to black rocks, yellow and reddish materials, and is used in some construction for their refractive characteristics (as well as used in the construction of blast ovens).
• Central Massif - which occupies the central region of the island, consisting of explosive material (large blocks, Lapilli and ash) and deposited chaotically around volcanic centres of the eruptions, but today mostly hidden and unrecognisable. This massif is crossed by several dense faults, basaltic and trachyte, oriented in many directions, converging on Pico Ruivo. The peak which includes many dykes, has resisted erosion, in contrast to many of the surrounding deposits; the weak cohesion of pyroclastic materials permitted the easy carving of the terrain in this area, constituting the morphology of many of the ravines: Brava, Socorridos, Machico, São Vicente, Porco (Boaventura) and Faial.
• The Paul da Serra Massif - corresponds to a similar structural platform of basaltic flows oriented towards the southwest.

[edit] Climate

Madeira has been classified as a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa/Csb),[35] but based on differences in sun exposure, humidity, and annual mean temperature there are clear variations between north- and south-facing regions, as well as between some islands. Other microclimates are expected to exist, from the constantly humid wettest points of the mountains, to the desertic and arid Selvagens islands. The islands are strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream and Canary Current, giving mild year-round temperatures; according to IM the average annual temperature at Funchal weather station is 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) for the 1980-2010 period,. For the 1960-1990 period, IM (Instituto de Meteorologia) published an article, showing that some regions in the South Coastline surpass 20 °C (68 °F) in annual average. Porto Santo has at least one weather station with a semiarid climate (BSh).

Climate data for Funchal, capital of Madeira
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	19.1 (66.4)	19.1 (66.4)	19.5 (67.1)	19.6 (67.3)	20.9 (69.6)	22.3 (72.1)	24.3 (75.7)	25.6 (78.1)	25.7 (78.3)	24.2 (75.6)	22.0 (71.6)	20.0 (68.0)	21.8 (71.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)	16.1 (61.0)	16.0 (60.8)	16.3 (61.3)	16.5 (61.7)	17.8 (64.0)	19.4 (66.9)	21.2 (70.2)	22.3 (72.1)	22.3 (72.1)	20.9 (69.6)	18.8 (65.8)	17.0 (62.6)	18.6 (65.5)
Average low °C (°F)	13.1 (55.6)	12.8 (55.0)	13.0 (55.4)	13.4 (56.1)	14.6 (58.3)	16.5 (61.7)	18.0 (64.4)	18.9 (66.0)	18.9 (66.0)	17.6 (63.7)	15.6 (60.1)	13.9 (57.0)	15.5 (59.9)
Rainfall mm (inches)	102.7 (4.043)	87.2 (3.433)	63.6 (2.504)	38.9 (1.531)	18.9 (0.744)	11.9 (0.469)	25 (0.98)	31 (1.22)	36.7 (1.445)	75.0 (2.953)	100.8 (3.969)	99.9 (3.933)	691.6 (27.228)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm)	12	11	10	8	5	3	1	2	6	9	11	13	91
Mean monthly sunshine hours	167.4	171.1	204.6	225.0	213.9	198.0	244.9	260.4	225.0	204.6	168.0	164.3	2,447.2
Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN),[36] Climatetemp.info[37]for Sunshine hours data

In the south, there is very little left of the indigenous laurisilva subtropical rainforest which once covered the whole island (the original settlers set fire to the island to clear the land for farming) and gave it the name it now bears (Madeira means "wood" in Portuguese). However, in the north, the valleys contain native trees of fine growth. These laurisilva forests, notably the forests on the northern slopes of Madeira Island, are designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Madeira has three endemic bird species: Zino's Petrel, the Trocaz Pigeon and the Madeira Firecrest, while the Madeiran Chaffinch is an endemic subspecies. It is also important for breeding seabirds, including the Madeiran Storm-petrel, North Atlantic Little Shearwater and Cory's Shearwater.

The Macaronesia region harbours an important floral diversity. In fact, the archipelago's forest composition and maturity are quite similar to the forests found in the Tertiary period that covered Southern Europe and Northern Africa millions of years ago. The great biodiversity of Madeira is phytogeographically linked to the Mediterranean region, Africa, America and Australia, and interest in this phytogeography has been increasing in recent years due to the discovery of some epiphytic bryophyte species with non-adjacent distribution.

Madeira also has many endemic species of fauna – mostly invertebrates which include the extremely rare Madeiran Large White but also some vertebrates such as the native bat, some lizards species, and some birds as already mentioned. The biggest tarantula of Europe is found on Desertas islands of Madeira and can be as wide as a man's hand. These islands have more than 250 species of land molluscs (snails and slugs), some with very unusual shell shape and colours, most of which are endemic and vulnerable.

[edit] Levadas

The island of Madeira is wet in the northwest but dry in the southeast. In the 16th century the Portuguese started building levadas or aqueducts to carry water to the agricultural regions in the south. The most recent were built in the 1940s. Madeira is very mountainous, and building the levadas was difficult and often sentenced criminals or slaves were used. Many are cut into the sides of mountains, and it was also necessary to dig 25 miles (40 km) of tunnels, some of which are still accessible.

Today the levadas not only supply water to the southern parts of the island but provide hydro-electric power. There are over 1,350 miles (2,170 km) of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths. Some provide easy and relaxing walks through beautiful countryside, but others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in serious injury or death.

Two of the most popular levadas to hike are the Levada do Caldeirão Verde and the Levada do Caldeirão do Inferno which should not be attempted by hikers prone to vertigo or without torches and helmets. The Levada do Caniçal is a much easier walk, running 7.1 miles (11.4 km) from Maroços to the Caniçal Tunnel. It is known as the mimosa levada because mimosa trees are found all along the route.

[edit] Human geography

Administratively, Madeira (with a population of 267,302 inhabitants in 2011[4]) and covering an area of 768.0 km2 (296.5 sq mi) is organized into eleven municipalities:[38]

Municipality	Population (2011)[4]	Area	Main settlement	Parishes
Funchal[39]	111,892	&1000000000000007570000075.7 km2 (29.2 sq mi)	Funchal	10
Santa Cruz[40]	43,005	&1000000000000006800000068.0 km2 (26.3 sq mi)	Santa Cruz	5
Câmara de Lobos	35,666	&1000000000000005260000052.6 km2 (20.3 sq mi)	Câmara de Lobos	5
Machico	21,828	&1000000000000006759999967.6 km2 (26.1 sq mi)	Machico	5
Ribeira Brava	13,375	&1000000000000006490000064.9 km2 (25.1 sq mi)	Ribeira Brava	4
Calheta	11,521	&10000000000000110299999110.3 km2 (42.6 sq mi)	Calheta	8
Ponta do Sol	8,862	&1000000000000004679999946.8 km2 (18.1 sq mi)	Ponta do Sol	3
Santana	7,719	&1000000000000009309999993.1 km2 (35.9 sq mi)	Santana	6
São Vicente	5,723	&1000000000000008079999980.8 km2 (31.2 sq mi)	São Vicente	3
Porto Santo[41]	5,483	&1000000000000004239999942.4 km2 (16.4 sq mi)	Vila Baleira	1
Porto Moniz	2,711	&1000000000000008259999982.6 km2 (31.9 sq mi)	Porto Moniz	4

[edit] Funchal

Funchal, is the capital and principal city of the Madeira Autonomous Region, located along the southern coast of the island of Madeira. It is a modern city, located within a natural geological "amphitheater" composed of volcanological structure and fluvial hydrological forces. Beginning at the harbor (Porto de Funchal), the neighborhoods and streets rise almost 1,200 metres (3,900 ft), along gentle slopes that helped to provide a natural shelter to the early settlers.

With five centuries of populated history, Funchal was named by the early discoverers and settlers, for the abundance of fennel (funcho) that was found in this heavily forested area. The natural harbor and climate, combined with an excellent geographical position, allowed Funchal to rapidly grow. Its Sé Cathedral, built between 1493 and 1514 (by Pêro Annes in Manueline-style), was one of the main centers of activity during its formative period, and represents one of Madeira's numerous historical treasures.

[edit] Demographics

When the Portuguese discovered the island of Madeira in 1419, it was uninhabited by humans, with no aboriginal population. The island was settled by Portuguese people, especially farmers from the Minho region,[42] meaning that Madeirans (Portuguese: Madeirenses), as they are called, are ethnic Portuguese, though they have developed their own distinct regional identity and cultural traits.

The region has a total population of just under 270,000 inhabitants, the majority of whom live on the main island of Madeira where the population density is 337/km²; meanwhile only around 5,000 live on the Porto Santo Island where the population density is 112/km².

[edit] Population genetics

As in continental Portugal, the most frequent mtDNA haplogroup in Madeira is H (36.2%), followed by U (19.4% including 3.9% of North African Berber U6), T (7.7%), pre-HVclades (7.1%) and K (6.5%). Two haplogroups, H and U5 alone account for more than 50% of the individuals. The relatively high frequency of sub-Saharan L and M1 haplogroups (14.8%) in Madeira is also consistent with the historical records of slaves being introduced in both the south of Portugal and in Madeira.[43]

Sample	H	I	J	K	T	U (except U6)	Pre-V	W	X	U6	M1	L1	L2	L3
155	36.2	1.3	2.6	6.5	7.7	15.5	7.1	1.9	0.6	3.9	1.9	4.5	2.6	5.8

Concerning the males Y-Dna haplogroups, R1b (particularly R1b3) was found to be the most dominant Y chromosomal lineage in Madeira, covering about 53% of the Y chromosomal lineages. The high frequency of this haplogroup is typical in all West European populations, reflecting a cline and likely continuity of the Palaeolithic gene pool in Europe. Haplogroups I and G, also characteristic markers for many different West European populations, were found in Madeira at frequencies above 5%. Together with R1b, haplogroups J (12%) and E1b1b (14%) comprise about 80% of the Y-chromosomal gene pool of Madeira individuals. Haplogroups J and E1b1b consist of lineages with differential distribution within Middle East, North Africa and Europe. The typical Berber haplogroup E1b1b1b (M81) was found as in continental Portugal at a frequency of 5–6%.[44]

Sample	A	E1b1b1	E1b1b1a	E1b1b1b	E1b1b1c	G	I	J*	J2	T	L	N1c	R1*	R1a	R1b
129	0.8	1.6	5.4	5.4	1.6	3.1	7.0	0.8	10.9	3.1	1.6	2.3	1.6	2.3	52.7

[edit] Diaspora

Madeiran immigrants in the United States mostly clustered in the New England and mid-Atlantic states, Northern California, and Hawaii. They also settled in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to participate in the flourishing American whaling industry. By 1980, the U.S. Census registered more than a million Americans of Portuguese descent, a large portion Madeirans. The city of New Bedford is especially rich in Madeirans, hosting the Museum of Madeira Heritage, as well as the annual Madeiran and Luso-American celebration, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, the world's largest celebration of Madeiran heritage, regularly drawing crowds of tens of thousands to the city's Madeira Field.

In 1846 when a famine struck Madeira over 6,000 of the inhabitants migrated to British Guiana. In 1891 they numbered 4.3% of the population.[45] In 1902 in Honolulu, Hawaii there were 5,000 Portuguese people mostly Madeirans. In 1910 this grew to 21,000. South Africa and Venezuela were also both important historically host countries for Madeirans.

There are several large Madeiran communities around the world, such is the great number in the UK, including Jersey,[46] the Portuguese British community mostly made up of Madeirans celebrate Madeira Day.

[edit] Economy

The setting-up of the Free trade zone has led to the installation, under more favourable conditions, of infrastructure, production shops and essential services for small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. The Free Zone of Madeira, also called the Madeira International Business Centre, being a tax-privileged economic area, provides an incentive for companies, offering them financial and tax advantages via a whole range of activities exercised in the Industrial Free Zone, the Off-Shore Financial Centre, the International Shipping Register organisation, and the International Service Centre.

The services sector makes the largest contribution to the formation of the regional gross value added as opposed to the agricultural sector, for which the share has continuously declined in the regional economy.

Over the last few years, the regional economy has managed to open up and establish more internal and external competitiveness, so that its companies have become competitive internationally. The largest industries are by sector food, beverages (especially Madeira wine), and construction.

[edit] Tourism

Tourism is an important sector in the region's economy since it contributes 20%[citation needed] to the region's GDP, providing support throughout the year for commercial, transport and other activities and constituting a significant market for local products. The share in Gross Value Added of hotels and restaurants (9%) also highlights this phenomenon. The island of Porto Santo, with its 9 km (5.6 mi) long beach and its climate, is entirely devoted to tourism. Over the past decade it has recorded a substantial increase in its hotel accommodation capacity.

Development in Madeira is considered to have future potential since the necessary infrastructure has been established and adequate investment incentives have been introduced for expanding its hotel and catering structure in a controlled manner. Nature conservation is seen as important because it is a major draw for tourists to Madeira.

Visitors are mainly from the European Union, with German, British, Scandinavian and Portuguese tourists providing the main contingents. The average annual occupancy rate was 60.3% in 2008,[47] reaching its maximum in March and April, when it exceeds 70%.

[edit] Transport

European Union citizens of the Schengen Treaty area can enter the islands freely, while those from other regions need identification.

There were in 2009, 7,105 legal immigrants living in Madeira Islands. They come mostly from Brazil (1.300), the UK (912), Venezuela (732) and Ukraine (682), according to SEF.[48]

The Islands have two airports, Funchal Airport on the Island of Madeira and the other in the island of Porto Santo. Flights to the islands are mostly made from Lisbon and Porto, but there are also direct flights from other major European cities and other countries, like Brazil, Venezuela, and South Africa.

Transport between the two main islands is by plane or ferries, the latter also carrying vehicles. Visiting the interior of the islands is now easy thanks to construction of the Vias Rápidas, major roads built during Portugal's economic boom. Modern roads reach all points of interest on the islands. The old, curving mountain roads are still an excellent way to tour the island. Funchal has an extensive public transportation system. Bus companies, including Horários do Funchal which has been operating for over a hundred years, have regularly scheduled routes to all points of interest on the island.

[edit] Gastronomy

Due to the geographic situation of Madeira, the island enjoys an abundance of fish of various kinds. The species that are consumed the most are Black scabbardfish, Blue Fin Tuna, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Albacore, Big Eye Tuna, Wahoo, Spearfish, skipjack tuna and many others are found in the local dishes as they are found up and down the coast of Madeira

Espada (Black scabbardfish) is often served with banana. Bacalhau also being popular as it is in Portugal.

There are many meat dishes on Madeira, one of the most popular being Espetada.[49] The Espetada is traditionally made of large chunks of beef rubbed in garlic, salt and bay leaf and marinated for 4 to 6 hours in Madeira wine, red wine vinegar and olive oil then skewered onto a Bay laurel stick and left to grill over smouldering wood chips. Portuguese Americans use California Bay Laurel sticks as skewers as they are more readily available in the USA.[50] In Madeira they are so integral a part of traditional eating habits that a special iron stand was developed with a T-shaped end, each branch of the "T" having a slot in the middle to hold a brochette. A small plate is then placed underneath to collect the juices. The brochettes are very long and have a V-shaped blade in order to more easily pierce the meat.

Carne de Vinha d' Alhos is another popular dish in Madeira and in Portugal.

[edit] Pastries

Traditional pastries in Madeira usually contain local ingredients, one of the most common being mel de cana, literally “sugarcane honey” (molasses). The traditional cake of Madeira is called Bolo de Mel, which translates as (Sugarcane) "Honey Cake" and according to custom is never cut with a knife but broken into pieces by hand. It is a rich and heavy cake. Malasada's are a Madeira creation which were taken around the world by Madeiran Emigrants to places such as Hawaii. In Madeira Malasada's are mainly consumed during the Carnival of Madeira. Pastel de nata's as in the rest of Portugal are also very popular.

Milho Frito is a very popular dish in Madeira which is very similar to the Italian dish Polenta.

[edit] Beverages

Main article: Madeira wine

Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine, produced in the Madeira Islands; varieties may be sweet or dry. It has a history dating back to the Age of Exploration when Madeira was a standard port of call for ships heading to the New World or East Indies. To prevent the wine from spoiling, neutral grape spirits were added. However, wine producers of Madeira discovered, when an unsold shipment of wine returned to the islands after a round trip, that the flavour of the wine had been transformed by exposure to heat and movement. Today, Madeira is noted for its unique winemaking process which involves heating the wine and deliberately exposing the wine to some levels of oxidation.[51] Most countries limit the use of the term Madeira or Madère to only those wines that come from the Madeira Islands, to which the European Union grants Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.[52]

The local Beer called Coral is produced by the Madeira Brewery, which has been around since 1872. Other Portuguese beers are also popular on Madeira to a much lesser extent.

[edit] Soft Drinks

Laranjada is a type of carbonated soft drink with an orange flavour, which is 14 years older than Coca-Cola drink. Launched in 1872 it was the first soft drink to be produced in Portugal and therefore the oldest, remaining very popular to the present day. Brisa drinks are also very popular and come in a range of flavours.

[edit] Coffee

There is also a huge coffee culture in Madeira where, like the rest of Portugal, Portuguese coffees are more popular such as Garoto, Galão, Bica, Café com Cheirinho, Mazagram, Chinesa and many more.

[edit] Madeira Gourmet Festival

To promote Madeiran gastronomy worldwide, every November the Madeira Gourmet Festival is organized. The festival brings international chefs to the island, mixing their know-how with local young chefs and preparing new recipes using Madeiran traditional products, like Madeira wine, local fish and other products.

[edit] Sports

In Madeira a large number of sports are practiced, both outdoors and indoors in the various facilities available throughout the island. However the main professional sports that Madeira competes in are listed below:-

The first organised game of football took place in 1875 in Camacha, organised by the Madeira born Harry Hinton. This being the first organised game of football anywhere in Portugal

Madeira has two football teams in the Portuguese Liga (Portugal's top league), C.S. Marítimo and Nacional. There would have been three but União da Madeira were relegated from the top league in 1995 and have never been able to gain promotion back to the top league.

The Real Madrid and Portugal footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira and played for Nacional before going to Sporting Lisbon.[53]

C.S. Marítimo is considered the biggest club of Madeira and have enjoyed various campaigns in the UEFA Cup having recorded famous results against teams such as Juventus, Leeds[citation needed] and Rangers. Having finished 5th in the league in the 2009/2010 season, C.S. Marítimo qualified for the Europa League for the 2010/2011 season[54]

C.S. Marítimo has nurtured great players such as Pepe, now at Real Madrid, Danny, now at Zenit, Jorge Costa, retired (F.C. Porto), Tarik Sektioui, left F.C. Porto at the start of 2009/2010 league, Nuno Valente, retired, Makukula, now at Manisaspor, among others.

In 2003–04 Nacional achieved 4th place in the Portuguese League, their best classification ever. They repeated it three years later and are the only Madeiran team to finish 4th place in the Portuguese League. Nacional is the only Madeiran team that reached the Europa League group stage (in the 2009-2010 season). Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the top football players ever, played in Nacional until he was 12 years old, before moving to Sporting Lisbon. Nacional plays in the Madeira Stadium (Estádio da Madeira), considered by CNN in 2011, one of the eight more unusual stadiums in the world. Besides Cristiano Ronaldo, other known footballers played in Nacional like Paulo Assunção (played in FC Porto and Atletico Madrid), Ruben Micael (played in FC Porto and Zaragoza), Maicon (FC Porto), Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg) and Felipe Lopes (Wolfsburg).

Outside the Portuguese top league, there are two other Maderian teams U.D. Santana and A.D. Pontassolense. U.D. Santana was relegated from the Portuguese Second Division so they now play the football in the Portuguese Third Division, while A.D. Pontassolense plays in the Portuguese Second Division.

[edit] Basketball

In recent years, Madeira has had a considerable amount of success in professional basketball, with CAB Madeira having won numerous titles, especially their female team. CAB are often seen competing in European competitions such as the FIBA EuroCup, and former stars include Filipe da Silva and ex-Los Angeles Lakers player Ike Nwankwo.

[edit] Surfing

In 2001 the World Surfing Championships were held in Madeira at Surfspots including Paul do Mar, Ponta Pequena and Jardim do Mar (see Surfing in Madeira).

[edit] Handball

Madeira Andebol SAD, the island's only professional handball team is one of the most successful in the country.

Rugby union is also played on the island to a minor degree.[56]

[edit] Walking and hiking

With around 600 miles of walks, many alongside the Levadas, one of the islands greatest attractions providing stunning walks some of which are quite challenging.[57]

[edit] Fishing

Due to the geographic situation of Madeira, the island enjoys an abundance of fish of various kinds. The species that can be caught are Black scabbardfish, Blue Fin Tuna, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Albacore, Big Eye Tuna, Wahoo, Spearfish, skipjack tuna and many others are found up and down the coast of Madeira.

Dolphin (Common dolphin, Bridled dolphin, Striped dolphin, Bottle-nose Dolphin) and Whale (Short-finned Pilot Whale, Sperm whale, Fin whale) watching is also very popular.[58]

[edit] Other Sports

While rally car racing (Rali Vinho da Madeira), Karting and golf are other popular sports played on the island. The island lies in an ideal location for water sports such as fishing, Sailing and diving due to its climate and location. Jogo do Pau, a Portuguese martial art is still practised in the rural areas of the island but has declined since its peak in the early part of the 20th century.

[edit] Postage stamps

Portugal has issued postage stamps for Madeira during several periods, beginning in 1868.

[edit] Notable citizens

The following people were either born or have lived part of their lives in Madeira:

• António de Abreu, naval officer and navigator
• Nadia Almada, a winner of the British reality show Big Brother
• Menasseh Ben Israel, a notable Jewish Rabbi.
• Joe Berardo, Portuguese millionaire, and art collector
• Pedro Macedo Camacho, Composer
• Charles I of Austria, deposed monarch, died in exile on Madeira in 1922
• Catarina Fagundes, Olympic athlete for windsurf
• Vânia Fernandes, Portuguese singer who represented Portugal in Eurovision 2008
• José Vicente de Freitas, military and politician
• Vasco da Gama Rodrigues, Poet, born in Paul do Mar
• Teodósio Clemente de Gouveia, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
• Herberto Hélder, Poet
• Moisés Henriques, former Australian Under-19 Captain and current NSW Blues cricketer
• Alberto João Jardim, President of the Regional Government
• Luís Jardim, Producer of music
• Paul Langerhans, German pathologist and biologist
• Fátima Lopes, Fashion designer
• Jaime Ornelas Camacho, first and former President of the Regional Government
• Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos, former Archbishop of the former Portuguese colonial enclave Goa (in India)
• Sir Lloyd William Matthews, British naval officer, politician and abolitionist
• Dionísio Pestana, president of the Pestana Group
• Rigo 23, Artist
• João Rodrigues, Olympic windsurfer
• Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Portugal and former Manchester United football player
• John Santos, Photographer
• Ana da Silva, founding member of the post-punk band The Raincoats
• Manoel Dias Soeyro or Menasseh Ben Israel (1604–1657), Sephardi Rabbi and publisher
• Artur de Sousa Pinga, former CS Marítimo and FC Porto football player
• Maximiano de Sousa (Max), popular singer, born in Funchal
• Virgílio Teixeira, actor
• José Travassos Valdez, 1st Count of Bonfim, governor in 1827–1828

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Notes

1. ^ http://www.ine.pt/scripts/flex_v10/Main.html
2. ^ Until 2002, the Portuguese escudo was used in financial transactions, and until 1910 the Portuguese real was the currency used by the monarchy of Portugal.
3. ^ a b "GDP per inhabitant in 2008". Eurostat. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/1-24022011-AP/EN/1-24022011-AP-EN.PDF. Retrieved 2011-03-29. 
4. ^ a b c INE, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Censos 2011 - Resultadas Preliminares [2011 Census - Preliminary Results], Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Nacional de Estatística, http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes&PUBLICACOESpub_boui=122114780&PUBLICACOESmodo=2, retrieved 1 July 2011 
5. ^ IGP, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Carta Administrativa Oficial de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Geográfico Português, http://www.igeo.pt/produtos/cadastro/caop/download/Areas_Freg_Mun_Dist_CAOP2010.zip, retrieved 1 July 2011 
6. ^ "EUROPA - Glossary - Outermost regions". Europa.eu. 2008-07-17. http://europa.eu/scadplus/glossary/outermost_regions_en.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
7. ^ "Hotelaria da Madeira suaviza quebras em 2010 apesar de impacto devastador dos temporais". presstur.com. 08-02-2001. http://www.presstur.com/site/news.asp?news=29046. Retrieved 2011-09-16. 
8. ^ [1][dead link]
9. ^ "A Guinness World Record Fireworks Show – Madeira Island, 2006-2007 New Year Eve at Wayfaring Travel Guide". Wayfaring.info. http://www.wayfaring.info/2007/01/12/a-guinness-world-record-fireworks-show-madeira-island-2006-2007-new-year-eve/. Retrieved 2011-09-16. 
10. ^ http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1163-6
11. ^ "Regional GDP per inhabitant in 2008 GDP per inhabitant ranged from 28% of the EU27 average in Severozapaden in Bulgaria to 343% in Inner London" (PDF). Eurostat. February 24, 2011. http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/1-24022011-AP/EN/1-24022011-AP-EN.PDF. Retrieved 2011-09-16. 
12. ^ Nicholas Cayetano de Bettencourt Pitta, 1812, p.11-17
13. ^ Fernández-Armesto, Felipe (2004). "Machim (supp. fl. 14th cent.)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI:10.1093/ref:odnb/17535. 
14. ^ Nicholas Cayetano de Bettencourt Pitta, 1812, p.20
15. ^ The discoveries of Porto Santo and Madeira were first described by Gomes Eanes de Zurara in Chronica da Descoberta e Conquista da Guiné. (Eng. version by Edgar Prestage in 2 vols. issued by the Hakluyt Society, London, 1896–1899: The Chronicle of Discovery and Conquest of Guinea.) Arkan Simaan relates these discoveries in French in his novel based on Azurara's Chronicle: L’Écuyer d’Henri le Navigateur, published by Éditions l’Harmattan, Paris.
16. ^ Ponting, Clive (2000) [2000]. World history: a new perspective. London: Chatto & Windus. p. 482. ISBN 0-7011-6834-X. 
17. ^ Godinho, V. M. Os Descobrimentos e a Economia Mundial, Arcádia, 1965, Vol 1 and 2, Lisboa
18. ^ Fernando Augusto da Silva & Carlos Azevedo de Menezes, "Porto Santo", Elucidário Madeirense, vol. 3 (O-Z), Funchal, DRAC, p. 124.
19. ^ "Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy, 1500–1800". Robert Davis (2004). p.7. ISBN 1-4039-4551-9.
20. ^ "The Map Room: Africa: Madeira". British Empire. http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/madeira.htm. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
21. ^ "Who was in Madeira at the time of the second British occupation". King's College London. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Who+was+who+in+Madeira+at+the+time+of+the+second+British+occupation...-a0122875121. Retrieved 2012-04-29. 
22. ^ "uboat.net". uboat.net. 2010-11-13. http://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/1531.html. Retrieved 2010-11-13. 
23. ^ "uboat.net". uboat.net. 2010-11-13. http://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/3247.html. Retrieved 2010-11-13. 
24. ^ "uboat.net". uboat.net. 2010-11-13. http://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/5841.html. Retrieved 2010-11-13. 
25. ^ "www.atlantic-cable.com". uboat.net. 2010-11-13. http://www.atlantic-cable.com/Cableships/Dacia/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-11-13. 
26. ^ The New York Times, Nov. 6, 1921 (accessed 4 May 2009)
27. ^ "Madeira Islands Tourism". Madeiraislands.travel. http://www.madeiraislands.travel/pls/madeira/wsmwdet0.detalhe_conteudo?p_cot_id=59&p_lingua=en&p_sub=1. Retrieved 2010-07-30. [dead link]
28. ^ Ribeiro et al., 1996
29. ^ Kullberg & Kullberg, 2000
30. ^ Geldemacher et. al., 2000
31. ^ Ribeiro, 2001
32. ^ a b "Madeira". Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1802-12-. 
33. ^ "MadeiraHelp.com". MadeiraHelp.com. 1999-02-22. http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
34. ^ Robert White, 1851, p.4
35. ^ "World Map of Köppen−Geiger Climate Classification". http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/. 
36. ^ "Weather Information for Funchal". June 2011. http://www.worldweather.org/003/c00005.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-29. 
37. ^ "Funchal, Madeira Climate, Temperature, Average Weather History, Rainfall/Precipitation, Sunshine". http://www.climatetemp.info/portugal/madeira.html. 
38. ^ Map of municipalities at FreguesiasDePortugas l.com
39. ^ Statistics include Savage Islands, which are administered by the parish of Sé
40. ^ Statistics include the mainland parish of Santa Cruz and the islands of the Desertas
41. ^ Statistics represent island population; Porto Santo is the second largest island in the archipelago of Madeira
42. ^ "Alberto Vieira, ''O Infante e a Madeira: dúvidas e certezas, Centro Estudos História Atlântico". Ceha-madeira.net. http://www.ceha-madeira.net/livros/infante.html. Retrieved 2010-07-30. [dead link]
43. ^ "The relatively high proportion of African lineage clusters L1–L3, U6, and M1 in Madeira (18.7%) and only 5.1% in the Açores agrees well with previous estimates of African admixture based on HLA and STR markers (Spínola et al. 2002; Fernandes et al. 2003)". Mitochondrial portraits of the Madeira and Açores archipelagos witness different genetic pools of its settlers, Brehm et al. 2003
44. ^ Y-chromosome lineages from Portugal, Madeira and Açores record elements of Sephardim and Berber ancestry, Goncalves et al. 2005
45. ^ "Portuguese emigration from Madeira to British Guiana"
46. ^ "BBC – Jersey Voices"
47. ^ "Statistics from DRE of Madeira tourism (2008)" (PDF). http://estatistica.gov-madeira.pt/DRE_SRPC/EmFoco/Servicos/Turismo/emfoco.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
48. ^ "SEFSTAT – Portal de Estatística". Sefstat.sef.pt. http://sefstat.sef.pt/distritos.aspx. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
49. ^ "Madeira Espetada". theworldwidegourmet.com. http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/espetada-beef-brochettes/. Retrieved 2010-08-30. 
50. ^ "Portuguese American Espetada". Bay Area Bites. http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2009/08/07/espetada-meat-on-a-stick-the-portuguese-way/. Retrieved 2011-10-10. 
51. ^ T. Stevenson "The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia" pg 340-341 Dorling Kindersley 2005 ISBN 0-7566-1324-8
52. ^ Labelling of wine and certain other wine sector products
53. ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". Diariodigital.sapo.pt. http://diariodigital.sapo.pt/news.asp?section_id=126&id_news=282895. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
54. ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo". Portugoal.net. 2010-05-10. http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-maritimo-news/10249-maritimo-snatch-europa-league-berth. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
55. ^ [2][dead link]
56. ^ "Rugby Madeira". Rugbymadeira.blogspot.com. 2010-05-29. http://rugbymadeira.blogspot.com/. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
57. ^ "Levadas of Madeira". Walkingmadeira.com. http://www.walkingmadeira.com/levadas. Retrieved 2010-07-30. 
58. ^ "Madeira whale and Dolphin watching". www.madeirawindbirds.com. 2010-08-30. http://www.madeirawindbirds.com/en/tours/madeira_half_day_dolphin_watching.html. Retrieved 2010-12-10. 

Sources

• Pitta, Nicholas Cayetano de Bettencourt (1812). Account of the Island of Madeira. London, England: C.Stewart Printer. 

[edit] External links

The Algarve (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɫˈɡaɾv(ɨ)], from Arabic: الغرب‎, trans. Al-Gharb, meaning "The West") is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. It has an area of 5,412 square kilometres (2,090 sq mi) with approximately 450,484[2] permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities.[3] The region coincides with the Faro District, and has as its administrative centre the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport at Faro (FAO) and public university (the University of the Algarve) are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, are other important activities in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and one of the most popular in Europe. Its population triples in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 7 million foreign tourists each year. In total, including national visitors, almost 10 million people visit the Algarve every year.

The Algarve is currently the third richest region in Portugal, with a GDP per capita of 86% of the European average.[4]

[edit] History

Human presence in southern Portugal dates back to the Neolithic, and Palaeolithic. The presence of megalithic stones in the area of Vila do Bispo attests to this presence.

The Conii, influenced by Tartessos, were established by the sixth century BC in the region of the Algarve. They would be strongly influenced by the Celtici. The Phoenicians had established trading ports along the coast circa 1000 BC. The Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis — known today as Portimão in about 550 BC. The Romans in the 2nd century BC spread through the Iberian Peninsula, and many Roman ruins can still be seen in the region, notably in Lagos. Roman bath complexes and fish salting tanks have been found near the shore in several locations, for example the ones near Vilamoura and Praia da Luz.

In the 5th century the Visigoths took control of the Algarve until the beginning of the Moorish invasion in 711. When the Moors conquered Lagos in 716 it was called Zawaia. Faro, which the Christian residents had called Santa Maria, was renamed Faraon, which means "the settlement of the Knights." Due to the Moorish conquest of Iberia, the region was called Al-Gharb Al-Andalus; Al-Gharb (الغرب) means "the west", while Al-Andalus is the Arabic name of Muslim Iberia. But, for several years, the town of Silves was the capital of the region under Moorish rule.

In the mid-12th century, the Moorish occupation ended in the region due to the successful military campaigns of the Kingdom of Portugal. The "Al-Gharb" became the Kingdom of the Algarve, but battles with the Moors persisted. It was not until the 13th century that the Portuguese finally secured the region against subsequent Moorish attempts to recapture the area, what was referred to as the Reconquista. King Afonso III of Portugal started calling himself King of Portugal and the Algarve. After 1471, with the conquest of several territories in Northern Africa (the area considered an extension of the Algarve) Afonso V of Portugal began fashioning himself as the King of Portugal and the Algarves (referring to the European and African possessions). Prior to the independence of Brazil, the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (1815–1822) was an official designation for Portugal which also alluded to the Algarve. Portuguese monarchs continued used this title until the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. Between 1595 and 1808, the Algarve was a semi-autonomous area of Portugal with its own governor, as well as a separate taxation system.[verification needed].

In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator based himself near Lagos and conducted various maritime expeditions which established Portugal as a colonial power. It was also from Lagos that Gil Eanes set sail in 1434 to become the first seafarer to round Cape Bojador in West Africa. The voyages of discovery brought Lagos fame and fortune. Trade flourished and Lagos became the capital of the historical province of Algarve in 1577 and remained so until after 1755, the year of the fabled Lisbon earthquake. The earthquake damaged many areas in the Algarve and an accompanying tsunami destroyed or damaged coastal fortresses, while coastal towns and villages were heavily damaged (except Faro, which was protected by the sandy banks of Ria Formosa lagoon). In Lagos, the waves reached the top of the city walls. For many Portuguese coastal regions, including the Algarve, the destructive effects of the tsunami were more disastrous than those of the earthquake proper.

In 1807, while Junot lead the first Napoleonic invasion in the north of Portugal, the Algarve was occupied by Spanish troops under Manuel Godoy. Beginning in 1808, and after subsequent battles in various towns and villages, the region was the first to drive out the Spanish occupiers.

In 1910, with the Portuguese First Republic, the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarve ceased to exist as such.

[edit] Geography

The Algarve has approximately 5412 square km, extending just south of the Tagus valley to the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Its highest point is Fóia, 902 metres (2,959 ft), in the mountain range of Monchique. It also includes some islands and islets. The region is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 170 square kilometres and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds. The length of the south-facing coastline is approximately 155 kilometres. Beyond the westernmost point of Cape St. Vincent it stretches a further 50 kilometres to the north. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat.

[edit] Climate

The maximum recorded temperatures in the Algarve fluctuate between 25 °C in winter and 48 °C in summer, with the temperature never usually falling below zero in the winter months. The winter of 2008/2009 was exceptionally cold and wet. Temperatures below 0 °C were recorded for the first time in many years.

[edit] Human geography

There are about 450,000 permanent inhabitants (76 residents per square kilometre) living in the area annually, although this figure increases to over a million people at the height of summer, due to an influx of tourists. The Algarve has several cities, towns and villages: the region's capital is the city of Faro, while other cities include Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Portimão, Quarteira, Silves, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António, in addition to various summer retreats such as Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha, Armação de Pêra, Alvor, Monte Gordo, Tavira, and Sagres.

The region is subdivided into 16 municipalities, within the District of Faro[5]:

[edit] Economy

Agricultural products of the region include fig, almond, orange, carob bean, strawberry tree and cork oak. Horticulture is important and the region's landscape was known for the large areas of land covered with plastic greenhouses which are used for that end. Fishing and aquaculture are important activities in the coastal area of Algarve, with sardines, soles, cyprinids, gilt-head bream and various seafood, including the grooved carpet shell, being the major productions. Algarve's wines are also renowned. There are four wines in the region which have Protected Designation of Origin (Denominação de Origem Controlada - DOC): Lagoa DOC, Lagos DOC, Portimão DOC and Tavira DOC. Food processing, cement and construction, are the main industries. Tourism related activities are extensive and make the bulk of Algarve's economy during summer time. The Algarve's economy has always been closely linked to the sea, and fishing has been an important activity since ancient times. Only since the 1960s, has the region embraced tourism, which has become its most important economic activity.

[edit] Development

Since the 1960s, Algarve has been experiencing a large development due to the need to accommodate its visitors. The region started the construction of better infrastructures, mainly roads, sanitation, power grids, telecommunications, hospitals and better housing. Sadly due to the austerity measures introduced in 2011, tolls have now been put in place on the main motorway that crosses the region which has reduced the use of the new infrastructure and is expected to seriously affect the local economy. It also started the construction of a huge variety of hotels, resorts, golf courses (which are considered to be some of the best in Europe) and villas. All this led to a huge development in the region, especially for locals who had previously lived in poorer circumstances. Today, Algarve is amongst the regions in Portugal with best quality of life and safety. And it's one of the many reasons why millions of tourists, mostly European, choose this sunny part of Portugal as their holiday destination.

[edit] Tourism

In the 1960s the Algarve became a very popular destination for tourists, mainly from Britain. It has since become a common destination for Germans, Dutch and Irish people. Many of these tourists own their own property in the region. There are Algarve-based English-written publications and newspapers specifically addressed to this community. In addition to the natural beauties and plenty of beaches, the Algarve has invested in the creation of a network of golf courses. Well-known beaches in the Algarve range from Praia da Marinha to Armação de Pêra. A well known spa town is Caldas de Monchique.

The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety, cuisine and relatively low costs.

Algarve's mild climate has attracted interest from Northern Europeans wishing to have a holiday home or residence in the region. Being a region of Portugal, and therefore in the European Union, any EU citizen has the right to freely buy property and reside with little formality in the Algarve.[6] British expatriates, followed by German, Dutch and Scandinavians, are among the largest groups wishing to own a home in this sunny region of Portugal.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of the Algarve. A large number of seasonal job opportunities are tourism-related and are fulfilled by thousands of immigrant workers from countries like Brazil, Ukraine and Cape Verde, among others.

In March 2007, the Minister of Economy, Manuel Pinho, announced the creation of the "Allgarve" brand, as a part of a strategical promotion of the Algarve as a tourism destination for foreign citizens.[7]

[edit] Accommodation

Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the Algarve coast. Over the past 50 years the Algarve has seen an increase in development, particularly from non-Portuguese developers. Over the past few years many tourists visiting the Algarve have moved away from the resorts, and have chosen the comfort of a traditional Algarve guesthouse, many of these run by ex-pats from England, Holland, and Germany who have escaped to the Algarve for a higher quality of life.

[edit] Education

The University of the Algarve, headquartered in Faro with an extension in Portimão, is a public university which awards all academic degrees in fields ranging from marine biology to economics to environmental engineering. There are also several higher education private institutions, state-run and private secondary education schools, including a number of international schools, and a wide network of kindergartens and primary schools.

[edit] Sports

The Algarve has many sports clubs, including football teams which play in the first (Olhanense, Portimonense), second and third layers of the main national football championships' pyramid. SC Farense is the most successful football club in the Algarve, however, after financial troubles it is currently (season 2008/2009) playing in the 4th level of Portuguese football. The Clube de Ciclismo de Tavira is a noted Portuguese cycling team. The major stadium in the Algarve is the Estádio Algarve, where SC Farense and Louletano play their home matches. The region is also host to the annual Algarve Cup invitational tournament for national teams in women's football. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, a 4.692 kilometres (2.915 mi) race circuit, is located in Portimão.

[edit] Culture

The Algarve is famous for its pottery and ceramics, particularly hand-painted pottery and azulejos or tiles. There are numerous ceramics and pottery outlets throughout the Algarve. For working potteries/ceramics workshops the main, or best-known, pottery centers are located in the towns of Almancil, Porches and Loulé. But there are many other potteries and workshops in the Algarve region.

[edit] Notable citizens

[edit] Gallery

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Notes

[edit] External links

Sines
Municipality (Concelho)
A monument to Vasco da Gama who was christened in the parish church of Sines, and whose father was the alcade-mor of the castle
Flag Coat of arms
Official name: Concelho de Sines
Name origin: sines, Portuguese for bells; alternatively, the name of a clan of Visigoths, Cinetos, later Cines and, finally, Sines
Country	Portugal
Region	Alentejo
Subregion	Alentejo Litoral
District	Setúbal
Municipality	Sines
Civil Parishes	Porto Covo, Sines
Center	Courela da Calraia
- elevation	49 m (161 ft)
- coordinates	37°55′48″N 8°46′12″W / 37.93°N 8.77°W / 37.93; -8.77
Lowest point	Sea level
- location	Atlantic Ocean, Sines
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	16.17 km (10 mi), West-East
Width	27.26 km (17 mi), North-South
Area	203.3 km2 (78 sq mi)
Population	14,260 (2011 )
Density	70.14 / km2 (182 / sq mi)
Settlement	fl. 1300
- Municipality	c.1362
LAU	Concelho/Câmara Municipal
- location	Largo Ramos Costa, Sines, Sines
- elevation	40 m (131 ft)
- coordinates	37°57′17″N 8°51′52″W / 37.95472°N 8.86444°W / 37.95472; -8.86444
President	Manuel Coelho Carvalho (Sines Intressa Mais (SIM))
Municipal Chair	José Luís Martins Batalha (PS)
Timezone	WET (UTC0)
- summer (DST)	WEST (UTC-1)
ISO 3166-2 code	PT-
Postal Zone	7520-159 Sines
Area Code & Prefix	(+351) 286 XXX XXX
Demonym	Sineenses; Siniense
Municipal Address	Largo Ramos Costa 7520-159 Sines
Municipal Holidays	24 November
Wikimedia Commons: Sines
Statistics: Instituto Nacional de Estatística[1]
Website: http://www.cm-sines.pt/
Geographic detail from CAOP (2010)[2] produced by Instituto Geográfico Português (IGP)

Sines (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈsinɨʃ]) is a coastal municipality in the district of Setúbal, in the Alentejo Litoral region of the Portuguese Alentejo. Its population in 2011 was over 14260 residents, with a total area of 203.3 km², concentrated on the municipal seat of Sines.

[edit] History

Vestiges of a few settlements have today been discovered in archaeological sites, such as Palmeirinha and Quitéria, that attest to the age of human settlements in Sines.[3] Arnaldo Soledade (1981) noted that these Visigoths, identified as Cinetos, may have been the original civilization that gave rise to the community, suggesting the local toponymy may have derived from this; Cinetos, to Cines and, finally, Sines.[4] Although this tribes lineage is not clearly defined, Soledade goes on to refer to the construction of a castro where the current Castle stands. The Punic tribes, are thought to have also had a presence in the area; a Punic artifact, the Tesouro do Gaio was unearthed in 1966, and is on guard in the Museu of Sines (English: Sines Museum). Discovered in May 1966, the treasure was unearthed by a local farmer, Francisco da Silva Campos, who was tilling his land to plant corn, and discovered a schist tomb with women's jewellery in his plot of land in Herdade do Gaio (12.5 km south-east of Sines, 7 km from the coast and 275m from Ribeira de Morgavel). Between 1966 and 1967, investigator José Miguel da Costa, discovered several of these Punic graves, but all showing evidence of early tomb raiding. While the jewellery was determined to be Punic in origin, the symbolism on the artefacts were characterized as Egyptian.[5] On the island of Pessegueiro, there is also evidance of Ibero-Punic artefacts discovered under the Roman port, discovered by archeologists Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares (1981).[6] Roman occupation brought the destruction of many of these artefacts associated with the Iron Age.

The Romans used Sines as a port and industrial centre; the bay of Sines was used as port by the civitas of Miróbriga and the canal on the island of Pessegueiro is linked to Arandis (Garvão). During Rome's occupation, Sines and the island of Pessegueiro, were poles within an industrialized fishing industry which included salting fish. The Roman centres were thought to have been at Praça Tómas Ribeiro, as well as the area around Monte Chaos in Feteira Cima (although little explored archaeologically). In the fields of Quitéria, Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares (1981) investigated the remains of a 1st century villa, where the remnants of cobblestone streets and a hypocaust were discovered. In 1961, José Miguel da Costa, during excavations around the Castle of Sines, discovered Roman "fishing factories", and a ceramics kiln to produce amphorae for salted fish, both dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries. Sine's toponymy is also Roman in origin, but may refer to two terms (both applicable): the term sinus, which means bay; or an alternate meaning for curve, and may refer to the curvature of the Sines Cape, as seen from Monte Chãos.

[edit] Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the area of Sines was occupied by the Visigoths and later sacked by Moors. There are many more examples of Visigoth-era carved stones (7th century) throughout Sines.[7] Evidence from an archaeological excavation of the Sines castle discovered that many of the walls of the old building were constructed from the rocks used in the construction of Roman-era monuments, such as a portion of a pedestal of a statue of Mars (which was assumed to have been part of a larger square in the Roman town before the construction of the basilica).[8] The basilica itself likely existed on the site of the current Matriz Church, whose baptistery is of Visigothic origin. The Moors likely sacked the settlement in the 7th century; this marked a period of decline in the area, indicating a period when the ancient settlement was abandoned. Yet, although the few inhabitants lived in the zone, Moorish ships regularly patrolled the waters, until the 13th century, when Afonso III conquered the region.

The area regained much of its importance at the beginning of the 8th century, when fishermen returned to the waters around Sines. Re-settlement along the coast was initiated by the Order of Santiago de Espada, who administered the lands under the reign of Afonso III. Sines obtained administrative autonomy from Santiago do Cacém on 24 November 1362, when Pedro I elevated Sines to the status of villa. He later preoccupied himself with the coastal defense of the region, establishing the conditions for the construction of Sine's Castle, already protected by elements of the Visigothic wall. The castle in Sines was constructed during the first half of the 15th century. Like Setúbal, but contrary to what happened in Santiago do Cacém or Palmela, the castle was constructed to defend the wealth of the local merchants, indicating a new economic and social order, with the ascension of the bourgeoisie.[9]

[edit] Monarchy

During the Portuguese Interregnum and 1383–1385 Crisis, the bourgeoisie and nobles of Sines were one of the municipalities that supported the Master of the Order of Aviz, the later King John I of Portugal in his battle for the throne. In 1395, aggravated by the fact the castle was not completed, King John appropriated men to serve in the military campaigns along the frontier. But, much of the concern during this period was from attacks by pirates, and compulsory military service was seen as bulwark against the region's collapse. In 1511, Sines was attacked by a large band of pirates. The King, who was careful to indemnity the losses, established a small base of three ships in Sines and Sesimbra to combat these French privateers. By the end of the 16th century, as threats from the coast increased, so too were the fortifications along the coast. This included the establishment of a fort alongside the Chapel of Senhora das Salas (Fort of Revelim), and two forts on the island of Pessegueiro. In 1629, as the construction of the Revelim Fort proceeded, Turkish pirates attacked and sank a nau in the port of Sines. A Sesimbrense captain, though, was successful in capturing a pirate ship in the bay by 1648.

At the end of the 16th century, commanded by Filippo Terzi, in the service of Philip II of Portugal, it was thought that the construction of a new port on Pessegueiro would motivate growth. Problems during construction, and frequent raids by English privateers, caused the project to be abandoned: the remnants on Pessegueiro include great blocks of rock that were quarried to make way for the project. In the last decade of the 18th century, the natural anchorage seduced Jacinto Fernandes Bandeira, a merchant, to found Porto Covo, with the hope that his initiative would convince others to establish complimentary businesses and a grand port.

In the second half of the 19th century, pyrite from Pias and Moinho dos Paneiros (Sines) and ore from Cercal are transported from the small island. The ore arrived in carts pulled by bulls, transported over a large bridge, and by boats to larger ships on the island. Near the mouth of the ravine on Pessegueiro there still remain abandoned deposits of accumulated ore, that were never transported.

During the first decade of the 19th century, the populous of Sines lived in fear during the French occupation of the country. In one incident, a company of troops from Napoleon's army pillaged the town and defaced the royal coat-of-arms over the doors to the castle.

Under the Liberalist Constitution, the municipality began to govern its own affairs, as the Order of Santiago, along with other religious orders were expelled from Portugal in 1855, and most of their assets appropriated. Sines became a parish of Santiago do Cacém, losing autonomy, yet flourished economically as several new businesses began operating from the town. The establishment of cork and canning industries, small factories producing distillates and artisan goods (bakeries and cobblers), turned the village more attractive to emigrants. The town attracted many English and Catalan businesses, as well as Alentejan and Algarvan entrepreneurs in search of work.

Entrepreneurial growth and republican idealism helped to redevelop the area, as the construction of new roads, the arrival of a rail-line, access to schools and culture became cumulative. The new elites, not only built their wealth on land rental, but also industry and commerce, and showed renewed interest in restoring the municipality. These liberal elites, such as João Daniel de Sines, fought for the constitutional monarchy during the Liberal Wars, and were magnanimous when former-King Miguel of Portugal stopped-over in their region on his way to exile.

At the end of the 19th century, a young Algarvian medic would write the first monograph on Sines, Breve Noticia de Sines (English: A Brief Notice on Sines). Francisco Luís Lopes' work was an acidic critique of municipal affairs and living conditions that were both sincere and damning, but also flattering and praise-worthy, noting both the villa's problems and its openness and tolerance.[10]

[edit] Republic

The year 1914 marked a period of renewed interest and the restoration of the municipality. The cork industry, the fishery, some agriculture and tourism marked a period of economic activity that lasted until the end of the 1960s, when, apart from its proximity to the sea, Sines was indistinguishable from other communities in the Alentejo. Sines was the beach for many of the local residents of the Alentejo, visited by the rural families of Beja and Santiago do Cacém.

Until the early 1970s, Sines was a sheltered fishing village with a long commercial history of relations with cities in the Mediterranean; its large marina, along a breakwater, is the only marina between Setúbal and the Algarve, while the deep-sea port, commercial fishery and industrial depot have drive the economy of this area. In 1970, the government of Marcello Caetano initiated the grande industrial-port complex that would, along with the 1974 Revolution, energize the local economy. Consequently, the population exploded, while industry and commerce diversified, causing their own impacts. In the late 1970s, the arrival of immigrants and refugees from the Portuguese overseas provinces brought new social dynamics, which were later supplemented by foreign workers employed in the port and petrochemical industry.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Physical geography

The municipalities territory is distinguished by three morphological structures: a coastal plain, the residual relief of the Sines Massif, and the eastern escarpment.

• The coastal plan (which occupies the major part of the municipality) slopes gradually from the interior and occupies an area of 3-12 kilometres cut by several water courses.
• Little remains of the Sines Massif, but from Monte Chãos to the Cape, there are elements of its morphology still present: the Sines promontory is relatively elevated from the sea, and limited by an abrupt escarpment, which slopes to the south until the Ribeira da Junqueira., where beaches and dunes predominate. But after the beach of Burrinho, it continues to be rugged until the vicinity of the island Pessegueiro, where beaches are also evident, while sheltered coves and mini-beaches, such as Porto Covinho, are inter-cut along the coastline. From the north of the city the coast is low sandy beach that extends to Tróia. From this coast, extensive dunes, particularly north of the mouth of Ribeira dos Moinhos dominate the landforms.
• The eastern escarpment, which is limited by the coastal plain forms part of the Serra do Cercal Massif (which rises 100–200 meters in altitude).

The coast, which is physically rugged (the Sines Cape) is separated into two differentiated areas: a sandy northern section, and a rocky southern area of cliffs.

[edit] Human geography

Population of the Municipality of Sines(1801 - 2011)[1] Year Pop. ±% 1801 1,766 — 1849 2,632 +49.0% 1930 7,666 +191.3% 1960 8,866 +15.7% 1981 12,075 +36.2% 1991 12,347 +2.3% 2001 13,577 +10.0% 2004 13,613 +0.3% 2011 14,260 +4.8%

Sines is limited on its southern frontier by Odemira Municipality, north and northeast by Santiago do Cacém Municipality, while the southern part of the municipality (south of São Torpes) is part of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (English: St. Vincent and Southwest Alentejo Coast Natural Park). A small part of the north also belongs to the Reserva Natural da Lagoa de Santo André e da Sancha (English: Natural Reserves of Lake Saint Andre and Sancha). Sines is 150 kilometers south of Lisbon.

Sines Municipality was constituted, until 1485, from the parishes of Sines, Colos and the area that today corresponds to the parish of Vila Nova do Milfontes. In 1485, King D. John II, with the objective of settling the area of coastal Alentejo, created the municipality of Vila Nova de Milfontes, and included the area of Cercal. Colos also became a municipality in 1499, restricting Sines to its present area.

In 1855, along with other municipalities, Sines ceased to exist and became integrated into Santiago do Cacém as the parish of São Salvador. Although it lost its autonomy, the settlements flourished for a time; Sines regained its autonomy in 1914.

The municipality is composed of two parishes:

• Porto Covo - the tourist-centered parish, along the southern frontier of Sines, settled by Jacinto Fernandes Bandeira, to motivate settlement at the end of the 18th century, has grown to include 1400 annual inhabitants;
• Sines - the main parish and town within the municipality, with a population of 15000. Not self-governing.

[edit] Economy

The economy of Sines municipality depends on energy, oil refining, port activity, fishing, tourism and trade. The municipality has an important investment park managed by AICEP Global Parques, and a science park, the Sines Tecnopolo.

Sines is the location of one of the largest martime-industrial complexes in Portugal, whose tenants include Sines Power Plant (Electricidade de Portugal), Petrogal Sines (National Petrochemic Refinery) and Repsol (Polymer Refinery). Although rapidly industrializing, the town still preserves many of the historical landmarks and tries to cater to tourism. The nearby village of Porto Covo attracts many tourists owing to its coastline and the well-preserved historical buildings.

There is a large shortwave broadcasting station at Sines. The most remarkable antenna towers are the rotatable towers looking like a big "V". [1] [2]. It was used by Deutsche Welle and was switched off on November 1st, 2011.

[edit] Architecture

• A Primorosa (Portuguese: Loja A Primorosa)
• Arts Centre of Sines (Portuguese: Centro de Artes de Sines)
• Cinema/Theatre Vasco da Gama (Portuguese: Cine-Teatro Vasco da Gama)
• Customs Delegation of Sines (Portuguese: Delegação Aduaneira de Sines)
• Emmérico Nunes Cultural Centre (Portuguese: Hospital da Misericórdia/Hospital do Espírito Santo/Centro Cultural Emmérico Nunes)
• Fountain of D. Bataça (Portuguese: Chafariz de D. Bataça)
• Fountain of Caminho das Bicas (Portuguese: Chafariz do Caminho das Bicas)
• Lighthouse of Sines (Portuguese: Farol de Sines)
• Pidwell Residence/Palace (Portuguese: Casa Pidwell/Palácio Pidwell)
• Railroad Station of Sines (Portuguese: Estação Ferroviária de Sines)
• Ravine Warehouses (Portuguese: Armazéns da Ribeira)
• Statue of Vasco da Gama (Portuguese: Estatua de Vasco da Gama)
• Windmill of Monte Chãos (Portuguese: Moinho de Vento de Monte Chãos)
• Wine Cellar of Sines (Portuguese: Adega de Sines)

[edit] Military

• Castle of Sines (Portuguese: Castelo de Sines)
• Cross of São Torpes (Portuguese: Cruzeiro de São Torpes)
• Fort of Pessegueiro (Portuguese: Forte do Pessegueiro)
• Fort of Pessegueiro Island (Portuguese: Forte de Ilha do Pessegueiro)
• Fort of Revelim (Portuguese: Forte de Nossa Senhora das Salas/Forte de Nossa Senhora das Salvas/Forte do Revelim)

[edit] Religious

• Chapel of the Misericórdia (Portuguese: Capela da Misericórdia)
• Church of Porto Covo (Portuguese: Igreja de Porto Covo)
• Church of São Salvador (Portuguese: Igreja Matriz de São Salvador)
• Hermitage of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Portuguese: Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios)
• Hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Salas (Portuguese: Ermida da Nossa Senhora das Salas)
• Hermitage of São Bartolomeu (Portuguese: Ermida de São Bartolomeu)
• (Old) Hermitage of São Sebastião (Portuguese: Ermida Velha de São Sebastião/Igreja Evangélica)

[edit] Culture

[edit] Festivals

Every summer, the town hosts the FMM Sines - Festival Músicas do Mundo, a world music festival that brings thousands of enthusiasts and musicians from all continents.

[edit] Notable citizens

• João Daniel de Sines, O Raspalhista,[11]GColTE (c.February 1809 - 19 April 1878; Lisbon) - a liberalist sympathizer and hero of the Liberal Wars, he would go on to fame for his medical knowledge and contribuitions during cholera (1856) and yellow-fever (1857) outbreaks, as well as his attacks on the royalist medicine and power of the Catholic Church, founding the Sociedade Humanitariana Raspalhista and publishing various articles in O Portuguez and O Patriota.
• Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira (c.1460 or 1469 – 24 December 1524; Kochi, India) - was a Portuguese explorer and the commander of the first ships to India; for a short time (in 1524) he was Governor of Portuguese India. He was born at the castle where his father Estêvão da Gama was the local alcalde, and following his return from India, was given feudal rights over Sines.

[edit] References

Notes

1. ^ a b INE, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Censos 2011 - Resultadas Preliminares [2011 Census - Preliminary Results], Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Nacional de Estatística, http://www.ine.pt/xportal/xmain?xpid=INE&xpgid=ine_publicacoes&PUBLICACOESpub_boui=122114780&PUBLICACOESmodo=2, retrieved 1 July 2011 
2. ^ IGP, ed. (2010) (in Portuguese), Carta Administrativa Oficial de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Geográfico Português, http://www.igeo.pt/produtos/cadastro/caop/download/Areas_Freg_Mun_Dist_CAOP2010.zip, retrieved 1 July 2011 
3. ^ Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares, 1981
4. ^ Arnaldo Soledade, 1981
5. ^ Some earrings show the figure of Hathor and a signet of marble, amulet, is engraved in relief with a scarab associated with Thutmose III, with the eye of Horus, the Son God.
6. ^ Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares, 1993
7. ^ Fernando Almeida, 1970
8. ^ José d´Encarnação, 2009
9. ^ Carlos Tavares da Silva and Joaquina Soares, 1998, p.21-44
10. ^ Francisco Luís Lopes, 1850
11. ^ João Daniel received his nickname, O Raspalhista, for his adherence to Medical practices and republican ideology of the French medic François-Vincent Raspail, who was notable for theories on cells, proponent of the use of microscopes, antiseptics, better sanitation and diet.

Sources

• Almeida, Fernando (1970). "Sines visigótica [Visigothic Sines]". Arquivo de Beja. XXV-XXVII. Beja,Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Beja. pp. pp. 17–29. 
• d´Encarnação, José. "Em Torno da Inscrição a Marte, de Sines" (in Portuguese). 1º Encontro de História do Alentejo Litoral, edição das actas. Sines, Portugal: Centro Cultural Emmerico Nunes. pp. 40–43. ISBN 978-972-99027-5-8. https://estudogeral.sib.uc.pt/jspui/bitstream/10316/12253/1/Inscri%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20a%20Marte,%20em%20Sines.pdf. 
• Silva, Carlos Tavares da; Soares, Joaquina (1981) (in Portuguese). Pré-História na Área de Sines:Trabalhos arqueologicos de 1972-77 [Pre-History in the Area of Sines: Archeological works in 1972-1977]. Lisbon, Portugal: Gabinete de Área de Sines. 
• Silva, Carlos Tavares da; Soares, Joaquina (1993) (in Portuguese). Ilha do Pessegueiro, Porto Romano da Costa Alentejana [Pessegueiro Island: Roman Port on the Alentejo Coast]. Lisbon, Portugal: Gabinete de Área de Sines. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/972-40-3413-3|972-40-3413-3]]. 
• Silva, Carlos Tavares da; Soares, Joaquina (1998). "Para uma arqueologia do castelo de Sines" (in Portuguese). Da ocidental praia lusitana: Vasco da Gama e o seu tempo [The Western Coast of Lusitana: Vasco da Gama and His Time]. Lisbon, Portugal: Comissão Nacional para as Comemorações dos Descobrimentos Portugueses. pp. 21–44. 
• Soledade, Arnaldo (1981) (in Portuguese). Sines, terra de Vasco da Gama [Sines: Land of Vasco da Gama] (2nd ed.). Sines, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Sines. 
• Lopes, Francisco Luiz (1859) (in Portuguese). Breve noticia de Sines, patria de Vasco da Gama [A Brief Note on Sines: Homeland of Vasco da Gama]. Lisbon, Portugal: Typographia do Panorama. pp. 124. 

[edit] External links

Mogadouro (Portuguese: [muɣɐˈðowɾu], Mirandese: [muɣɐˈðawɾu]) is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 760.65 km² and a total population of 10,792 inhabitants. The seat is the town of Mogadouro.

[edit] History

The history of Mogadouro is evidant in the number of castros that dot the landscape of region from the neolithic period.[1] In particular are the castros of Oleiros in Bemposta, Vilarinho, São Martinho do Peso, Figueirinha de Travanca, Bruçó and the more recently excavated castro in Vilariça, in the Serra da Castanheira.[1]

The Celts passed through this region, leaving behind its art and religion, the so called Cultura aos Berrões.[1] One of these celtic tribes, the Zoelae, were responsible for settling many of the lands along the Douro, Sabor and Angueira Rivers.[1]

During the Roman period, the region is referred to in art, religion and socio-economic reports, indicating its regional importance.[1] The Ara Romana to Deus Jupiter Depulsori (which still survives to this day in Saldanha), is one of these remnants of this period (it was constructed during the reign of Septimius Severus in the 3rd Century B.C.). Throughout the municipality that are have been discovered many funerary stones and artefacts that attest the Romanization of these lands.[1]

Vestiges of the Visigothic era are rare, but include a paleo-Christian inscription that was discovered in São Martinho do Peso (now in the Abade de Baçal Museum in Bragança.[1]

Moorish influence in this region is limited to local handicrafts made from flax and wool, that includes the hand embroidery, quilts, rugs and towels.[1] During the Reconquista era, it is known that Alfonso III of León effected many construction projects during his reign, that were more strategic then political: organizing a military line along the Douro with castles (to protect the holdings of the León while inducing incursions into Moorish lands, populating conquered territory and taking advantage of natural geography to defend his territory. After fortifying Zamora, around 893, he ordered the construction of castles along the line, repopulating them as he progressed. Toro and Simancas developed consequently from this policy. It is likely that the area of Mogadouro was settled as a strategic point along the line, resulting in the construction of the first fort. The regions name evolved from this settlement: Mógo means a implanted marker, considered a symbolic delineation of the separation or division of a territory, a term imported from common language at the time. The mógo do Douro (mark on the Douro), or Mogadouro, developed from this locational designation.

The Castle of Penas Róias was constructed during the nation-building of Afonso Henriques. The stone of the cell-block tower is inscribed with a medieval statement: "Começaram os fundamentos do Castelo chamadao Pena Roia na era de 1204 sendo Mestre Geral dos Templários Gualdim Pais" [They began the fundamentals of the Castle Pena Roia in the era of 1204 by Master General of the Templar Gualdim Pais].[1] The later Castle of Modagouro, from the same decade, was started prior to the establishment of the civic charter (foral) in 1272/73. During the Portuguese dynastic crisis (or Interregnum) the noble classes supported the King of Castile, resulting in an eventual reprisal by Prince John (who elevated the hamlet of Azinhoso and parsed it from Mogadouro).[1] Consequently, although it's economic activity did not contract, the lack of royal patronage meant that Mogadouro remained stagnated until the 16th century.[1]

Mogadouro, historically, fell within the Caminhos de Santiago, a capillary of secondary roadways that extended throughout the Trás-os-Montes region leading pilgrims down Saint James Way. The principal road arrived in Mogadouro from Castelo Rodrigo, from two routes: from Freixo de Espada à Cinta (Castelo Rodrigo, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Escalhão, crossing the Douro by boat in Barca de Alva, Quinta de Santiago, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Mós, Fornos, Lagoaça, Bruçó, Mogadouro); the other from Moncorvo (Castelo Rodrigo, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Almendra, Castelo Melhor, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, crossing the Douro by boat in Pocinho, Moncorvo, Vilariça, Adeganha, Parada, here crossing the Sabor in Santo Antão da Barca before reaching Mogadouro). The Caminho de Santiago forked in Mogadouro at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Caminho (Caminho de Santigao): to Azinhoso (a enormous enclosure existed near the Church of Azinhoso to provide shelter during the crossing), then over a medieval bridge that connected Penas Roias, Algoso, Vimioso to Bragança; the other road departed from the Church of Nossa Senhora do Caminho, to Santiago, then Algosinho (to another pilgrimage church), Ventoselo (where there still remains vestiges of the pilgrimages, such as the roof painting in the Chapel of Nossa Senhor da Boa Morte), on the way passing by a spring (where pilgrimages would satisfy their thurst), to another chapel to Santigao (now completely destroyed), Urrós, Sendim, and Miranda do Douro). There were several tributaries, shortcuts and dirt tracks on the pilgram roadways, such as: through Azinhoso (where the faithful would rest in the chapel to São Gonçalo, a patron saint of the travellers); through Variz, Castanheira, Valcerto, Algoso, Campo de Víboras and Vimioso; through Santiago (now Vila de Ala), an important crossroads between Peredo de Bemposta (through Algosinho, Ventoselo and Vila de Ala) and Bemposta (through Lamoso, Tó and Vila de Ala). Those who travelled from the southern part of the district would likely stop in Zava (where a chapel to São Cristóvão, the saint protector, was located).

It was after the 16th century that Mogadouro saw some growth. The Távora family, a noble house with influence and power in court, controlled the region, commanding the fort and guiding the town, generally contributing to the development of the lands within their domain.[1] It was through the action of the Távoras that the local Santa Casa da Misericórdia was founded in 1559, and its local church. The bridges between Valverde and Meirinhos (in 1677), and the Remondes bridge, between Mogadouro and Macedo de Cavaleiros (in 1678) were also constructed with the patronage of the Távoras. In addition, the family supported the constructions of a few churches and altars in various municipalities throughout the 17th-18th century, including the Convent of São Francisco, the Matriz Church of Mogadouro, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ascensão, in the heights of Serra da Castanheira and many others. But, by act of King Joseph I the Távoras lands were confiscated by the Marquess of Pombal, and members of the family executed after an attempted-assassination of the monarch. The annilhation of the family resulted in the loss of development impetus.[1]

The municipal archive, installed in the Convent of São Francisco (today the Mogadouro Municipal Chamber) burned down in 1881 (and again later in 1927).

After the extinction of the monastic orders, by the Liberal government, the Convent of São Francisco was appropriated to store public records and local administration.

By the 19th century, few of the noble families were interested in their holdings in Mogadouro, nor did they do much to develop these lands.[1] By the end of the century, only the poet-jurist José Francisco Trindade Coelho defended his land rights, and the region was abandoned by the central hiearchy of Lisbon.[1]

The Sabor line, a narrow gauge railway, formerly served the community. It was closed in 1988.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Physical geography

The municipality of Mogadouro, situated in the Trás-os-Montes region of northeastern Portugal, in the traditional district of Bragança. It is boxed by the northeastern municipalities of Vimioso, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Alfândega da Fé, Torre de Moncorvo and Freixo de Espada à Cinta. It is separated from the Spanish province of Castilla y León, by a the river-valley of the Douro River, whose margins are cut by v-shaped inclines. The territory of Mogadouro is naturally delimited by environment of the Rivers Douro and Sabor. A great part of the territory of the Mogadouro belongs to the Mirandês Plateau (which is an extension of the Iberian Meseta), lands rich fertile fields responsible for the cultivation of cereals (such as wheat, oats, and rye), supporting cattle and sheep herds (including the Mirandese and Terra Quente breeds). Two sheltered valleys, with micro-climates, support vineyards, olive, orange and almond orchards, as well as other Mediterranean products.

The area around the Douro is a zone of granite escarpments of large blocks, resulting in a relief that is shaped by schists interrupted by quartz rocks that form the mountains. In the southern part of this area, dominated by the Sabor basin, there are different layers of shists. The soils, and climatic characteristics, have resulted in a diversified coverage that change throughout the year. Average median altitudes reach 700 metres, above sea level, although there are exceptions, as is the case with the Cimos de Mogadouro (usually around 900 m).

[edit] Ecoregions/Protected areas

Mogadouro is also the seat for the Parque Natural do Douro Internacional (International Douro Natural Park), a protected wilderness that includes primarily the slopes of the Douro valley, but also lands designated as bird sanctuaries for species of eagle (specifically the Bonelli and Golden Eagles), the Griffon and Egyptian vultures, and the rare Black Stork, in addition to the Red-billed Chough, the Alpine Swift and the Black Wheatear.

During the months of April and May, the flowering trees highlight the landscapes of many of the parishes. Mountain perennials (such as rosemary, Cytisus striatus and heather) are also common, although the Fagaceae (a species of beech) and holly oak, cork oak and Juniper (which grow along the slopes of the Douro and Sabor valleys) are the predominant species.

[edit] Climate

Located in the southern part of the Mirandês Plateau, the region is influenced by three climatic systems: the Atlantic, the Continent and the Mediterranean. As a result, its agriculture is varied and its landscape is full of contrasts. In the winter, the climate is rigorously cold and icy, with snowfall common throughout the period. In the summer, its is susceptible to torrid heat, typical of continental climates, that supports a dry vegetation.

[edit] Human geography

The municipality of Mogadouro has, over the last decades, suffered an enormous depopulation, resulting in the concentration into the urbanized areas, and emigration to the coastal communities of Portugal. Like many of the Transmontana communities, Mogadouran hamlets built on traditional homes adapted to the climate of the region, built of granite or schist material, with verandas or balconies used to dry clothing, hang/dry onions and pumpkins/squash, or generalling conserve foodstuffs. The modernization of these traditional communities has ironically resulted in the destruction of Transmontan patrimony.

Although it has a small population (11282 residents in 2001), the region is divided into 56 agglomerated population centres, and 28 civil parishes, that include:

Population of Mogadouro(1706 - 1911) Year Pop. ±% 1801 6,193 — 1849 10,607 +71.3% 1900 17,558 +65.5% 1930 16,739 −4.7% 1960 19,571 +16.9% 1981 15,340 −21.6% 1991 12,188 −20.5% 2001 11,235 −7.8% 2004 10,792 −3.9%

• Azinhoso
• Bemposta
• Bruçó
• Brunhoso
• Brunhozinho
• Castanheira
• Castelo Branco
• Castro Vicente
• Meirinhos
• Mogadouro
• Paradela
• Penas Róias
• Peredo da Bemposta
• Remondes
• Saldanha
• Sanhoane
• São Martinho do Peso
• Soutelo
• Tó
• Travanca
• Urrós
• Vale da Madre
• Vale de Porco
• Valverde
• Ventozelo
• Vila de Ala
• Vilar de Rei
• Vilarinho dos Galegos

[edit] Economy

Mogadouro is essentially a rural area, supported by agriculture and animal by-products. In addition to the primary sector, Mogadouro supports a diverse industrial sector, with warehouses, shops and industries linked to agriculture.

Along the Mirandês Plateau, cereal crops (in particular wheat) and forage allows the support of a large dairy industry. Mogadouro is one of the most productive milk suppliers in the north. Mogadouro is also a land known for almond production. Principally, in the fields of Valverde, Meirinhos, São Pedro, Souto, Roca, Santo André and São Martinho do Peso, these lands are covered in flowering trees seasonally, used in harvesting of the legumes.

In other periods, the horse culture was important in this region, not just in agriculture and transport, but also as a centre of equestrian training and breeding; the Quinta de Nogueira was well known as the second most important estate for the breeding and raising of horses, after the Quinta de Alter do Chão. During the stewardship of the Távoras (between the 15th and 18th century), the Quinta de Nogueira and Quinta Nova (which were contiguous) were an economic pole of the family.

Hunting is another important part of the local economy: in forested areas wild boar is typical; in short brush biomes, partridge and hare; and in the gardens and vegetable fields, rabbit is typical. This is an important economic benefit, not only attracting tourists, but hunting parties to the restaurants and residences in the region annually. During hunting season, many of the local hunting "lodges" are occupied with hunters and their associations, who travel into the region specifically for these species.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Tradition

Local artisanship is also strong. The Associação Cultural e Recreativa de Soutelo (in Soutelo)) has promoted much of the traditional products of wool and cotton, including quilts, towels, embroidery, sericulture, metal-smithing, basket-weaving, rural miniatures. A local artisan has also produced artefacts in clay, reproducing faithfully the traditional techniques employed in Mogadouro and Nordeste Transmontanan.

The Nordeste Transmontanan gastronomy includes a variety of simple rural dishes, many of which include cured meats and sausages (presunto, alheira, bulhos (bone sausage), blood chouriço, linguiça,bochas, chabianos (sausage of course flour, fat and semolina), vilões, tabafeias and salpicão, which are considered the kings of gastronomy in the region. On many plates there are the customary portion of the Mirandês veal (raised naturally in the pastures of the region and grilled over open flames), the marrã (pork, primarily bacon, grilled similarly), the sopa de xis(traditional made with blood), the cascas com bulho (dryed green bean pods cooked with bulhos, bochas, fattened-pork meat and other embutidos), sopas das segadas (codfish and garlic soup),cabritinho serrano (baby goat), cordeiro churro assado na brasa (lamb grilled over flame), and greens. Local cheeses (goat and sheep), honey, económicos, roscos, matrafões, folar da Páscoa, rosinhas (a traditional sweet from Bruçó), formigos and tantas round out the peculiar digestive and aperitifs of the region.

Mogadouro is the central community, with a Preparatory (Portuguese: Escola Preparatória) and Secondary School (Portuguese: Escola Secundária) serving the large border frontier. Regional policies have allowed the advancement of local projects and initiatives and supported the active participation of its local citizens: there are 30 cultural and recreational associations coordinated by the Projecto Cultural initiative, based in Mogadouro.

[edit] Notable citizens

• José Francisco Trindade Coelho (18 June 1861 — Lisbon; 18 August 1908), a writer, magistrate and politician, known for Republicanism and regionalist writings about the region of Trás-os-Montes, that was rustic and moralistic

[edit] References

Notes

Sources

• Castro, António Pimenta de (2002), "Concelhos:Mogadouro", in Barroso da Fonte (in Portuguese), Dicionário dos mais ilustres Trasmontanos e Alto Durienses, 3, Torre de Moncorvo, Portugal, pp. 656, http://concelhos.dodouro.com/jornal/mogadouro.asp, retrieved 16 May 2011 

[edit] External links

• Blog "À Descoberta de Mogadouro"
• Flickr "Mogadouro Group"
• Flickr "Photos from Mogadouro"
• Site "Junta Freguesia de Bemposta"