Faial Island (also known in English as Fayal) is a Portuguese island of the Central group (Grupo Central) of the Azores. Its area is 173 km² and it is located 28.7° W longitude and 38.6° N latitude. The nearest island is Pico Island to the east. The island is also known as Ilha Azul, the "Blue Island", by poet Raul Brandão, due to the large quantity of Hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months. Basic Definition In geography, the elevation of a geographic location is its height above mean sea level (or some other fixed point). ... Latitude, sometimes denoted by the Greek letter φ, gives the location of a place on Earth north or south of the Equator. ... Map of Earth showing lines of longitude, which appear curved and vertical in this projection, but are actually halves of great circles Longitude, sometimes denoted by the Greek letter λ, describes the location of a place on Earth east or west of a north-south line called the Prime Meridian. ... Location Motto of the autonomous region: Antes morrer livres que em paz sujeitos (Portuguese: Rather die free than peacefully subjected) Official language Portuguese Capitals Ponta Delgada (Presidency of the autonomous government), Angra do Heroísmo (Supreme Court), Horta (Legislative Assembly) Other towns Praia da Vitória, Ribeira Grande Area 2333... Mountains can be characterized in several ways. ... View of Mount Rainier, a stratovolcano. ... This article is about volcanoes in geology. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In climbing, a first ascent (FA) is the first climb to reach the top of a mountain, or the first to follow a particular climbing route. ... Mountaineering is the sport or hobby or profession of climbing mountains and is sometimes also known as alpinism, particularly in Europe. ... Portuguese) are an archipelago of Portuguese islands situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 km from Lisbon and about 3,900 km from the east coast of North America. ... Pico (Ilha do Pico) is an island of the Azores noted for its eponymous volcano, its peak, the highest mountain of Portugal. ... Species See text Hydrangea (scientific name: Hydrangea, pronounced: haidréindÊ’iÉ™) is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants native to southern and eastern Asia (from Japan to China, the Himalaya and Indonesia) and North and South America. ... Summer is a season, defined by convention in meteorology as the whole months of June, July, and August, in the Northern hemisphere, and the whole months of December, January, and February, in the Southern hemisphere. ...

History

The original name of Faial (aka Fayal) was Insula de La Ventura nos Portulanos (Venture Island) and it was discovered by Diogo de Silves, a pilot in the service of the King of Portugal, in 1427. In 1432 a small group of Portuguese settlers came from Terceira Island to settle in the northern pasturelands of Cedros. Queen Isabela of Burgundy authorized the settlement of lands on the island. Flemish settlers under contract from the crown, and lead by the nobleman Josse Van Huerter, came to shore at Praia de Almofariz (now Praia de Almoxarife) in the east of the island. A lack of potable fresh water resulted in a move to preceeding valley, which today carries their name (Flamengos). According to the testimony of Henry the Navigator the island was then known as São Luís (Ilha de São Luís). By 1490, this Flemish community numbered approximately 1500 people. The Flemish joined with more Portuguese settlers and eventually formed Vila da Orta (later simply Horta). Some time later the island's name changed to "Fayal", due to the large number of Fayal trees [Myrica faya Aiton]. With the island's improving economy more Portuguese settled there and rapidly the Flemish influence diminished. Events Lincoln College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is founded. ... Events June 1 - Battle of San Romano - Florence defeats Siena foundation of Université de Caen In the end of the Hook and Cod wars, Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland is forced by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, to abdicate all her estates in his favour; end of Hainaut... Map of Terceira Island, Azores. ... There are parishes that have the name Cedros (Portuguese and Spanish for cedar) in the Portuguese territory of the Azores: Cedros, a parish in the district of Horta Cedros, a parish in the district of Santa Cruz das Flores Cedros, a mexican island in the state of Baja California. ... This is a current Biography collaboration of the week! Please help improve it to featured article standard. ...

During the Iberian Union of Portugal and Spain, the island was frequently attacked by British and French pirates between 1589 and 1597. Raiding parties from the Count of Cumberland (Sr. Walter Raleigh) and Count of Essex attacked the defenseless populations between 1589 and 1597. These privateers robbed the inhabitants and burned what they left behind. The Faialese people, to protect themselves, built a large number of fortresses; in the 18th century there were more than 20. The Cabeço Gordo Volcano erupted in 1672, leading to emigration to Brazil, but the economy was not significantly damaged. A pirate digging…perhaps to bury treasure, perhaps a grave. ... Events Rebellion of the Catholic League against King Henry III of France, in revenge for his murder of Duke Henry of Guise. ... Events 17 January - A court case in Guildford recorded evidence that a certain plot of land was used for playing “kreckett” (i. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... Cabeço Gordo (Portuguese for fat head) is the highest mountain on the island of Faial with its elevation at 1,043 m. ... Events England, France, Munster and Cologne invade the United Provinces, therefore this name is know as ´het rampjaar´ (the disaster year) in the Netherlands. ...

In intervening years Horta became a stopover for Jesuit missionaries travelling to and from Brasil and Asia. The Jesuits constructed a college in Horta, as did the Carmelites and Franciscan Orders. The explorer James Cook also reached the islands before initiating his Pacific voyages of discovery, during the 1700s.

In 1876 work started on the construction of a dock in the protected harbour of Horta. As time progressed, Faial's importance expanded through this dock, as a waypoint to trans-Atlantic traffic. Charles William Dabney, the American entrepeneur was responsbile for the growth of the industry of the islands with whaling, wine and orange exports predominating. A philanthropic figure, Dabney was responsible for cultivating the economy of the island and supporting its population, aid to agriculture and generating markets abroad for their goods. The growth of industry and trans-Atlantic sail traffic also expanded Horta's importance, as a safe harbour and coal storage base. In 1919, the first airplane to cross the Atlantic stopped at Horta. Horta's exceptional situation also led to Pan American establishing a Clipper base there. Similarly, British, American, French, German and Italian intercontinental submarine cable stations were based in Horta. During World War 2, Horta was also an important naval base, giving shelter to Allied fleets that took part in the Normanday invasion.

The island, dependent on whaling and agriculture, remained prosperous until the eruption of Capelinhos volcano in 1957. Communities of the northern and western coast were harshly affected by the volancoe's eruption, as agricultural lands were untillable and covered with sand and ash. This lead to the immigration of 4000 people to the United States, spearheaded by members of the Portuguese diaspora in New England and an influential Massachusetts Senator (John F. Kennedy). In addition, whaling, as a viable commerical enterprise was slowly curtailed with innovations in the chemical sector and animal-rights influence. The Capelinhos (from Capelo + -inhos, literally little Capelos) is a volcano in the western part of the island of Faial in the Azores. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State nickname: Bay State Official languages English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Senators Edward Kennedy (D), John Kerry (D) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 44th 27,360 km² 25. ... For other uses, see JFK (disambiguation) or John Kennedy (disambiguation). ...

Economic and political changes since the 1980s have helped to revitalize the islands economy and development. After the Azores gained the status of an Autonomous region in Portugal, Horta, the island's city, was allowed to host the regional parliament (parlamento regional) of the Azores. Horta is a port town on the island of Faial in the Azores. ...

Geography

Part of the Central Group of islands (with Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira), the pentagonal-shaped island occupies an area of approximately 172 km² (22 km east-west and 15 km at its widest point). Faial is hilly; the highest mountain, the Cabeço Gordo Caldera, is 1,043 metres high and the inner crater the Caldeira is 2 km wide and 500 metres deep. The deepest part of the crater is filled with a lake. Cabeço Gordo (Portuguese for fat head) is the highest mountain on the island of Faial with its elevation at 1,043 m. ... A Lake is a body of water surrounded by land. ...

The town of Horta (located on the southeast coast of the island) remains the centre of community activity on the island. Owing to its situation, it provides wonderful views of the Island of Pico, and sometimes of São Jorge. The town is flanked by Ponte de Espalamaca, Monte da Guia (remnants of another volcanic cone) and Monte Carneiro. Excellant views of the town and ocean are visible from any of these points. A road that circles the island from Horta takes visitors to the north, west and southern areas of the island. The river valleys along this route divide small communities from each other: Praia de Almoxarife and Pedro Miguel are just two of the communities in the eastern river valleys. Then one comes to Riberinha, where pastures sheltered by a ridge covered with rich vegetation give the district a special beauty. Salão provides lovely vistas of fields hedged by hydrangeas. A few kilometres further, is Cedros, a village that is believed to be the oldest settlement on the island. Proceeding further north, the ocean cliff slopes become steeper near the communities of Praia do Norte, where from Costa Brava, 320 m high, there are fine views over Fajã. The volcanic black lava and deep vegetation continues in the areas around Fajã da Praia do Norte and Norte Pequeno. There are parishes that have the name Cedros (Portuguese and Spanish for cedar) in the Portuguese territory of the Azores: Cedros, a parish in the district of Horta Cedros, a parish in the district of Santa Cruz das Flores Cedros, a mexican island in the state of Baja California. ...

Along with other islands in the Azores archipelago, the island is of volcanic origin. Relatively small in size in comparison to the Pico, the centre of the island is dominated by Cabeço Gordo and its Caldeira. Until 1957 the island was circular (20 km x 25 km). The last eruption occurred near the small parish of Capelo on September 27, 1957. At first, the Vulcão dos Capelinhos formed a small islet, near the western part of Faial. But the volcano became active again on December 16, 1957; this lasted until May 12, 1958 and connected the islet with Faial, effectively enlarging the island by 2.4 km² and forming the "Ponta dos Capelinhos". This area is now considered a national refuge and ecological sensitive zone with limited access to the dormant cone. Eruption redirects here. ... Cabeço Gordo (Portuguese for fat head) is the highest mountain on the island of Faial with its elevation at 1,043 m. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 27 is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 95 days remaining. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Capelinhos (from Capelo + -inhos, literally little Capelos) is a volcano in the western part of the island of Faial in the Azores. ... Mōkōlea Rock in Kailua Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, 2. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The southern coast is a delighful panorama. Here Varadouro, the southern spa region, is dominated by an attractive bay and the black rock cliffs of the Castelo Branco (Mouro). The Varadouro spa, and its hypersaline waters at a temperature of 35.5ºC (96ºF) are available to beachgoers who travel to ocean-carved pools for refreshment. Castelo Branco and Feteria highlight the rough coast and pasturelands near the city of Horta. Lajinha and Ponta Furada (near Horta) is an area of caves and strange lava arches formed during the creation of the island.

The interior landscape is different. On Monte Carneiro (overlooking the city) there is a point from which excellant views are available, in particular the Vale dos Flamengos on account of its plantations, flowers and cottages. Other places of interest are edged by hydrangea and rustic forests to places of great interest: Largo Jaime de Melo, Riberia do Cabo, Riberia Funda, etc.

Faial has been affected by various earthquakes and seismic events during the populated history of the island. The most important has been the 1759-1760 earthquakes and aftershocks tremors occuring the Christmas and New Years. Similar in nature, the 1926 earthquake rumbled the city of Horta, in early-April. The island saw a series of intensive earthquakes. On April 5, damages were reported in Flamengos, Ribeirinha and Conceição. On August 31 at 8:42(local time) causing 8 deaths ruining the cities of Horta again and parishes of Conceição, Praia do Almoxarife (ruining 220 homes), Flamengos, Feteira and Castelo Branco and most of Lomba do Pilar and Salão. The total and partial damages to the earthquake were 4,138 homes and buildings. Similar tremors and events were felt in 1957/1958 (Capelinhos eruption) 1963 and 1973. The 1998 Azores earthquake on July 9 shook Faial, Pico and São Jorge at 5:19 AM measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale with and epicenter NNE of the island of Faial caused damages to the parishes of Riberinha, Pedro Miguel, Salão and Cedros and stronger damages in Castelo Branco (mainly Lombega), Flamengos and Praia do Almoxarife on Faial, it also caused damages in parts of Pico Island and the far western part of the São Jorge Island. 8 persons lost their lives in the earthquake, 1,700 persons were homelesses.

Economy

Faial's economy is based on agriculture and related industries, cattle, and tourism. Its fast economic growth was propelled by the production of a blue-colored pastel plant that was used for dyes.

The economy of the island generated some prosperity until 1957, when the Capelinhos Volcano erupted in the western part of the island, reactivating emigration to North America, supported by promises of aid made by a Massachusetts senator to the affected populations. World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America North America is a continent in the northern hemisphere bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the...

The main agricultural resources of the island are potatoes, cereals, fruits, and wines, along with cattle (which makes up its dairy and meat industry). The city of Horta is the centre of commerce and services of the island. Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (plural form: potatoes) (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber. ... Cereal crops are mostly grasses cultivated for their edible seeds (actually a fruit called a caryopsis). ... Fruit stall in Barcelona, Catalonia. ... Wine is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting grapes or grape juice. ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Dairy farm near Oxford, New York, July 2001 In many northern-hemisphere countries a dairy is a facility for the extraction and processing of animal milk (mostly from cows, sometimes from buffaloes, sheep or goats) for human consumption. ... Meat is animal tissue (mainly muscle) used as food. ...

In the 1960s, Portugal experienced economic growth, and an airport was opened; with it, tourists came. After Portugal's entry into the EEC, the standard of living rapidly grew and today the population generally prospers. The 1960s in its most obvious sense refers to the decade between 1960 and 1969, but the expression has taken on a wider meaning over the past twenty years. ...

Demographics

Faial's population is 14,785 (in 2003). The only city on the island, Horta (9,563 inhabitants) has a port and a marina. The island also has a windmill that enhances the beauty of its landscape.

Culture

There are several festivals on Faial, the most important ones being in the summer. The most popular ones are the Espírito Santo festivals occurring throughout the island between Ascension Day and August. Saint John is the patron saint of Horta, being celebrated has São João da Caldeira. For other meanings see Ascension (disambiguation) The Ascension is one of the great feasts in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily Ascension of Jesus into Heaven forty days after his resurrection from the dead. ... Note: as an adjective (stressed on the second syllable instead of the first), august means honorable. ... Saint John or St John may refer to the following people, places, institutions or organizations: // People Saints John the Apostle, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus John the Evangelist, traditionally identified with the apostle, to whom the Gospel of John is attributed, often along with 1 John, 2 John...

The island, like some other Azorean islands, produces cheeses and other milk products, along with cow meat, and by-products notable in Portugal, and it has a rich cuisine that also includes local sea-food.

Scrimshaw, handiwork made of whale teeth, is a traditional craft of the Azores. However, because of the prohibition on whale hunting in Portugal, some designs of this can easily cost hundreds of Euros, due to the rarity of whale teeth. Scrimshaw is the name given to handiwork created by whalers made from the byproducts of harvesting marine mammals. ... Whales are the largest species of exclusively aquatic mammals, members of the order Cetacea, which also includes dolphins and porpoises. ... The euro (symbol: €; banking code: EUR) is the currency of twelve European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, collectively known as the Eurozone. ...

Sources

• Siebert, L. and T. Simkin (2002-). Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3. URL: http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/

Actiudades Turistics, Lda. (2003)- Faial, Açores: Guia do Patrimónia Cultural

External link

• Azores.com