Statsraad Lehmkuhl visits Ponta Delgada, the Azores, July 2–8, 2025.
If you're planning to sail across the Atlantic, a stop in the Azores is a smart choice. The archipelago consists of nine islands and lies 1,400 km west of Portugal - almost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Ponta Delgada is located on São Miguel and is the largest city and capital of the Azores. Just over 67,000 of the archipelago’s 236,000 inhabitants live here. Traditional industries like agriculture and fishing are still important, while tourism has grown significantly in recent years.
The Azores is one of Portugal’s two autonomous regions, along with Madeira.
Settlers
Seafarers have visited the archipelago at least since the 8th or 9th century - possibly even by Scandinavian Vikings - but the islands weren’t settled until the mid-15th century. Portuguese settlers established themselves first on Santa Maria and São Miguel.
In the 16th century, people from Flanders in Belgium also settled here, and for a time, the Azores were referred to as the Flemish Islands or the Isles of Flanders.
In 1522, Vila Franca do Campo, then the capital of São Miguel, was devastated by an earthquake. Around 5,000 people died. The capital was moved to Ponta Delgada, which was granted city status in 1546. Both Britain and Spain have attempted to take control of the Azores, but since 1642, the islands have remained under Portuguese rule.
Like Iceland, only farther south
The Azores have volcanic origins - like Iceland, they both sit on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet. The Azores is also where the African plate comes into contact with the other two plates, a tectonic hotspot indeed.
The Azores resemble Iceland, with active volcanoes and hot springs - only much farther south, and much more lush. The most recent major eruption occurred off the coast of Faial Island, at the Capelinhos volcano in 1957.
Mount Pico, on the island of the same name, rises 2,351 meters above sea level and is the highest point in Portugal. From sea level down to the base of Mount Pico on the ocean floor is 6,098 meters, making Pico the highest underwater mountain in the world.
Lush landscape
The islands are lush and full of what seems like wilderness. In reality, however, little of the original nature remains. Much of the native forest was cleared by the first settlers, and non-native tree species were introduced.
Today, large areas are used as pastureland or for plantations growing crops, vegetables, and fruits such as pineapples, bananas, passion fruit, oranges, guavas, figs, and melons.
Because of the Azores’ isolated location in the Atlantic, more than 400 species of plants and animals found here exist nowhere else - so-called endemic species.
Pleasant climate
Though the archipelago lies far south, the ocean keeps the climate pleasant. In Ponta Delgada, temperatures never rise above 30°C and never fall below freezing.
Normal maximum temperature in July: 24.3 °C
Normal rainfall in July: 25 mm
