Pico Island

Pico Island, also known as Ilha do Pico, is one of the beautiful islands in the Central Group of the Portuguese Azores. It is famous for its tall volcano called Ponta do Pico, which is the highest mountain in all of Portugal and the Azores. This volcano also marks the highest point of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Because of its dark volcanic soil, Pico Island is sometimes called the "Black Island." This special soil helps grow excellent grapes, and the vineyards there are so important that they have been recognized by UNESCO. Long ago, these vineyards helped make the island's economy grow.

Pico is the second largest island in the Azores and is very young from a geological point of view, being about 300,000 years old. Its landscapes and history make it a special place to learn about nature and tradition.

History

The exact date Pico Island was discovered is unknown. Early maps from the 1300s and 1400s show Pico as part of the Azores islands. People began living on Pico in the 1480s. It was the last of the Central Group islands to be settled.

At first, life was hard because the volcanic soil was tough to work and there were few rivers. By 1695, about 9,000 people lived there. The population grew to over 19,000 by the mid-1700s. People farmed wheat, made dyes from lichens, and grew grapes for wine. Even though volcanic eruptions sometimes caused trouble, wine became very important to the island’s economy. Later, diseases hurt the grapevines, but whaling helped the island’s economy until it stopped in 1986. Today, a old whale factory serves as a museum.

Geography

Physical geography

Pico Island is part of the Central Group of the Azores islands. It is the second largest island in the Azores, stretching 46.3 kilometers long and up to 16 kilometers wide. The island has a coastline of 151.8 kilometers with inlets and coves, but no sandy beaches. Seabirds like terns and shearwaters nest along the rocky coasts.

The landscape features three main geological areas: the ancient Topo Volcano on the southern side, the Achada Plateau in the east with its ridges and lakes, and the prominent Pico Volcano in the west. Pico Volcano stands at 2,351 meters (7,713 feet) tall, making it the highest mountain in Portugal and the Azores.

The last known volcanic eruption occurred in 1963, far off the northwest coast. Earlier eruptions in the 16th and 18th centuries left visible lava paths that stretch over 10 kilometers.

Earthquakes

Pico experiences earthquakes, mostly centered between Pico and nearby islands. Notable earthquakes include one in 1757 that damaged buildings and caused deaths, and another in 1998 that shook the island but caused only minor damage.

Biome

Pico has large areas of native forests, more than any other Azores island. These include laurisilva and broadleaf forests. Over the years, non-native plants were introduced, changing some areas of the island’s natural habitat.

Climate

Pico has a mild maritime climate with lots of rain and humidity. Temperatures range from about 14°C (58°F) in winter to 22°C (72°F) in summer at lower elevations. Higher up, temperatures drop, and Mount Pico can even see snow. The highest temperature ever recorded in the Azores, 32.1°C (89.8°F), was measured on Pico in 1985.

Human geography

Pico’s physical features have shaped where people live and work. Most towns are along the coast. The biggest towns are Madalena, São Roque do Pico, and Lajes do Pico.

The island’s population has been shrinking since the mid-20th century, especially during the 1960s and 1970s when many people left. By 2021, the population was about 13,895. The island has an aging population, with more people aged 25–64 than younger or older groups.

Economy

Historically, Pico Island relied a lot on the nearby island of Faial for many of its activities. Today, while it still has close ties, the people of Pico have become more independent. Fishing is a big part of the island’s work, especially catching tuna for cans, and many women help process the fish. The island also has dairy farms that make tasty, special cheeses.

Now, most jobs are in services and government work, which brings more people good jobs. Tourism is growing too, with new hotels and fun activities for visitors. Pico was once known for whaling, but that stopped in the 1980s. Instead, people now show visitors the old whaling sites and watch whales in the ocean.

Pico Wine and vine culture

Main article: Pico IPR

Grapes have grown on Pico Island since the late 1400s. The special Verdelho grapes love the island’s dark volcanic soil and stone walls. These grapes were once sent all over Europe and even to Russia! Today, wine making isn’t as big as it used to be, but the beautiful vineyards are very important to the island’s history and were named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004 (see Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture).

Sustainable tourism

In 2012, Pico Island received the QualityCoast Gold Award for working toward being a sustainable tourism destination. Because of this award, Pico was chosen to be part of a global guide for sustainable travel called DestiNet.

Notable people

Some well-known people were born on Pico Island.

• José da Costa Nunes (1880 in Candelaria do Pico – 1976) was a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Macau from 1920 to 1940 and Patriarch of the East Indies from 1940 to 1953.
• José Vieira Alvernaz (1898 in Ribeirinha - 1986) was a Portuguese prelate, Bishop of Cochin, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and Patriarch of the East Indies.
• Arquimínio Rodrigues da Costa (1924 in São Mateus – 2016) was a prelate of the Catholic Church, Bishop of the Diocese of Macau from 1976 to 1988.
• Fernando Machado Soares (1930 in São Roque do Pico – 2014) was a fado singer, poet, composer, jurist and retired judge.
• Caesar DePaço (born 1965 in Madalena) is a businessman and was a former consul for Portugal and Cape Verde.
• Duarte Freitas (born 1966 in São Roque do Pico) is a politician and was a former Member of the European Parliament.