The Mountain Island
Dominated by the Pico volcano (2,351m), the highest mountain in Portugal. UNESCO vineyards and whaling history.
Population
4,398
Area
155 km²
Parishes
6
Primary sector (livestock for milk and meat), Commerce, Services, Agriculture, Tourism (whale watching)
Museu dos Baleeiros, Centro de Artes e Ciências do Mar, Forte de Santa Catarina, Lagoa do Paul, Mistério de São João, Furna da Malha (lava tunnel), Whale watching
Lajes do Pico was historically the center of whaling in the Azores, an activity that dominated the economy and culture of the municipality for more than a century. Whaling ended in the early eighties.
Home to the Museu dos Baleeiros (Whalers Museum) and the Centro de Artes e Ciências do Mar, housed in the former whale processing factory. Important whale watching center.
Population
3,461
Area
142 km²
Parishes
5
Whaling (historical), Fishing, Agriculture (especially viticulture), Tourism
Museu da Indústria Baleeira (Whaling Museum), Lagoa do Capitão, Natural pools of São Roque do Pico, Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara, Cais do Pico
The municipality was founded in 1542, split from Lajes do Pico. The economy was strongly influenced by whaling, with five factories along the coast for processing whales into oil and fertilizers, until the eighties.
Home to the Fábrica das Armações Baleeiras Reunidas, now a museum, documenting the history of whaling on the island. The municipality covers the north coast of the island and extends to the summit of the Pico stratovolcano.
Population
6,559
Area
147 km²
Parishes
6
Agriculture, Viticulture (wine production), Tourism, Fishing (tuna canning), Construction
Wine Museum (Museu do Vinho), UNESCO Vineyards of Criação Velha, Natural Pools of Criação Velha, Gruta das Torres (largest lava cave in Portugal), Pico Mountain (climbing)
Madalena's identity has been shaped by wine and the sea since the 15th century. In the 18th century, whaling was dominant, but after its disappearance, the municipality reinvented itself by preserving wine traditions.
Known as the 'Capital of Azorean Wine'. The vineyards of Criação Velha, characterized by unique basalt stone walls, are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The municipality lies at the foot of the Pico volcano, the highest mountain in Portugal.