Property in the Azores
Lying in the Atlantic Ocean, some 900 miles due west of the Portuguese coast, the islands of the Azores Archipelago cover an area of some six hundred kms in length and possess a land area of 2,333 square kms.
The first of the Azores islands were said to be discovered in 1427—a claim disputed by other records, some of which insist that the Island of Corvo was already known to the Carthaginians 3,000 years before the birth of Christ.
It is also suggested by experts that Plato’s reference to the "Empire of Atlantis," must have been based on some knowledge of the existence of these Islands. Equally, Plutarch speaks of the " Atlantic Islands," which are also believed to be a reference to the Azores.
It is almost certain they were previously known to sailors and explorers, and there is, indeed, a reference to their existence in Jafunda Cresquez’ Catalan Atlas of 1375.
Fifty-two years later, in 1427, a ship commanded by Diogo da Silva is recorded to have visited the Azores. Based on this information Henry the Navigator organized two voyages in 1431 and 1432 under the command of Frei Gonçalo Velho, a Knight of the Order of Christ, who was instructed under royal edict to find the islands and take possession in the name of Portugal.
The first of the Islands, Santa Maria, was given the name " Azores" from the Portuguese word for "goshawks," one of which was mistakenly thought to be seen flying overhead.
This name was later applied to the entire collection of nine Islands, which are normally considered in three individual groups: the Eastern group of Ilha de Santa Maria and Ilha de São Miguel, the Central group of Ilha do Faial, Ilha Graciosa, Ilha do Pico, Ilha São Jorge and Ilha Terceira, and the Western group of Ilha do Corvo and Ilha das Flores.
Both the Island of Flores and Corvo were recorded as being discovered by Diogo do Teive.
As each island was occupied by the Portuguese an appointee was given total and hereditary powers. Initially the colonization of the Islands proceeded in an organized and progressive manner due to the Act known as "Seismarias."
This law was introduced in Portugal in 1375 by King Fernando and stated that landlords could forfeit their land and possessions if not properly cultivated. In 1494, King Dom João II revoked the Act and in doing so created an economic decline in the Azores, and abuse of power by local dignitaries.
In was in this period that the recently arrived Flemish settlers took advantage of the situation and encouraged their countrymen to join them. Through the 15th and 16th Centuries settlers from both Portugal and Flanders began to cultivate and rear cattle in the balmy climate.
During the reign over Portugal of Phillip II of Spain (1580-1640), the Islands prospered greatly as The Azores’ logistical position directly between the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas enabled them to benefit greatly from the wealth that was generated trading with the "new world."
The ports of Angra do Heroísmo on the Island of Terceira and Ponta Delgado on the Island of São Miguel developed into important centres of trade through this period and on into the early 19th Century, when the Islands also became a necessary staging post for the Whaling industry.
There had been an unsettled period in the 16th Century when Dom António, the Prior of Crato and locally supported, declared himself King of Portugal much to the annoyance of Felipe II, the real King, who was also, at the same time, the King of Spain. In 1583 a Spanish force put an end to this rebellion and Dom António fled to France.
In 1831 the followers of Dom Pedro IV sailed from Ilha de São Miguel to mainland Portugal, near Porto, and after three years of conflict in Portugal his forces defeated his brother Dom Miguel, contender to the throne of Portugal.
Due to the volcanic composition of The Azores there have been fairly constant eruptions and upheavals throughout their existence, either within the landmass or from the bed of the sea.
In 1811 an English ship witnessed one such happening as they saw the creation of an islet about 90 meters high, west of the coast of Ilha de São Miguel. As soon as it appeared safe, the Captain of the ship landed on the islet and hoisted the Union Jack in the name of Great Britain and named the islet "Sabrina" after that of his ship. Imagine his great disappointment when shortly afterwards the islet—and the flag—sank back under the ocean!
In this past century the Islands have played a strategic role as a military air base between the USA and the rest of the world, during the Second World War and also in other later conflicts.
The Archipelago of the Azores is on the same latitude as that of Lisbon and is about two hours flight from Portugal. Due to the purity of air the light is of such a quality that it emphasizes the colours of vegetation, flowers, and the difference between light and shade. Regardless of their remoteness the Islands are a segment of the EU, being an integral part of Portugal and are, in fact, the closest point of Europe to the United States.
From a tourist aspect traveling about the archipelago is both straightforward and pleasant, as there are regular flights between all the islands and ferryboat services, all providing wonderful (and very camera-friendly) vistas.
But it is worth noting that the ferry sailings should be routinely checked by the visitor as the local services vary depending on the destination and, naturally, local weather conditions.
