The Yellow Island
The oldest inhabited island of the Azores, known for its sandy beaches and the 'red desert' Barreiro da Faneca.
Population
5,504
Area
97 km²
Parishes
5
Total business turnover: €60,152,000 (2022)
Service sector, Tourism, Agriculture, Fishing
Praia Formosa, Miradouro de São Lourenço, Forte de São Brás, Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Ermida dos Anjos Chapel, Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse, Barreiro da Faneca
Vila do Porto is the oldest municipality in the Azores, with a charter from 1470. Explorer Christopher Columbus visited the island in 1493 on his return journey from America. The international airport is one of the oldest in the Azores.
Santa Maria is the only island in the Azores with a Mediterranean microclimate and sandy beaches. The island has the most sunshine in the Azores. The 'red desert' Barreiro da Faneca is a unique geological phenomenon.