Back to Atlantis: The Azores Archipelago and São Miguel Island

    I Have lived in the São Miguel Island, in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal) for 21 years before Moving to Lisbon and I still dream about it!

THE AZORES ARCHIPELAGO

   The Azores are one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean.

     S. Miguel's diverse scenery is a pleasant awakening to visitors, with beautiful lakes, sandy beaches, rolling hills, high mountains, green plains and blue ocean.
There are some hot springs, generally located in the center of the island.

     Activities in S. Miguel include whale watching, swimming with dolphins, walking and trekking, diving, fishing, jeep safaris, bird watching, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, golf and many other outdoor and indoor activities.
The weather is best between June and October with the hottest months being July, August and September. November to January is also pleasant but temperatures dip slightly. February through May tend to be on the rainy side.
     
     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.  

SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND

São Miguel Island (named for the Archangel Michael), is also referred to locally as "The Green Island", is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. The largest city in the archipelago is Ponta Delgada.

     S. Miguel is also the island in the Azores with the most to offer. Its cosmopolitan town of Ponta Delgada offers the visitor a blend of contemporary life with historic flavor. S. Miguel monuments, turn of the century architecture, parks and cobble stone streets are interlaced with a modern marina, nice restaurants, shopping, bars, night-clubs, and ocean-front cafes.