Santa Maria Island
Appearance
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Atlantic Ocean |
Archipelago | Azores Islands |
Area | 97.18 km2 (37.52 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 590 m (1940 ft) |
Highest point | Pico Alto |
Administration | |
Portugal | |
Autonomous Region | Azores Islands |
Largest settlement | Vila do Porto (pop. 5,511) |
Demographics | |
Population | 5,511 (2003) |
The island of Santa Maria (Portuguese for Saint Mary) is an island in the southeastern part of the Azores and is the southernmost island in the Azores Islands. It was the first island in the Azores Archipelago to be discovered. The discoverer of the island was Diogo Silves during his journey to Madeira in 1427. Gonçalo Velho brought families and cattle to the island.