Island of irregular shapes, with an area of 97.42 Km2, and a length of 17Km and width of 9.5 Km, it is the southernmost and easternmost island of the Archipelago of the Azores.

First island of the Azores to be inhabited, from the caravelles, in 1439, by pioneers that established themselves at the Praia dos Lobos, from the Ribeira do Capitão. João Soares de Albergaria, nephew of the first donatary Captain and his heir, gave a new pulse to the populating of Santa Maria bringing families from the mainland, mainly from the region of Algarve. Up until the end of the XV Century Santa Maria registered a large development, which produced the first "vila" in the Azores in the town of Porto, since then it has been called Vila do Porto.

The prosperity of the island continued, until the end of the XVIII Century, in the paint production, which was considered the best in the archipelago and existed in abundance, and in urzele, exported to the paint factories in Flanders, and in the cultivation in wheat, which had demand in the mainland and filled the Portuguese trading posts in Northern Africa.

In 1493, Chrisopher Columbus visited the island, on his return from his voyage to America, meanwhile, considered a common pirate, he was arrested, by orders from the governor of the island, until he could explain the reasons if his visit. The real pirates came, in the XVI and XVII centuries, with the attacks of English, French, Turkish, and Algerian Corsairs, which aside from the courage of the islanders, ransacked, burned, and pillaged and took inhabitants as prisoners to be slaves of hostages.

Dedicated to agriculture, in which vineyards, wheat, corn, potato, terra root, orchards, cattle raising and dairy cultivation are predominant, Santa Maria went through, without any mishaps, the XVIII and XIX centuries, except for the presence of a contingency of youngsters of the island within the troops that participated in the unloading of Mindelo.

The XX Centruy brings with it, with the construction of the airport in 1944 of a great strategic value during the second world war and point of obligatory stops of the transatlatic flights, until the end of the 60's, a new dynamic and progress.

Festivities
The Maré do Agosto Festival, one of the largest and most famous festivities in the Azores englobe many cultural activities, among which are concerts that take place on the small Praia Formosa and that is normally visited with reknown names from the national and international music world. Attracting to the small island of Santa Maria thousands of youngsters that during the days of August 23rd and August 26th, vibrates with joy and vivacity.

The largest festival in Santa Maria, with traditional and religious characteristics, take place at Vila do Porto on August 15th in honor of it's patron saint, Our Lady of Assention.

Here in similarity from the other islands the Holy Ghost festivals take place, that happen from April to June. Joining together devotees from around the island, to presideover the coronation of the Imperador and traditional parade, followed by the soups at the Shrine, unique in the Archipelago. Whoever wishes to can participate in the very characteristic events of the Holy Ghost, taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and tasting the delicious soup.

With origins from the popular music of Mainland Portugal, more specifically from the regions of Beira and Alentejo, the folclore of Santa Maria is unique in it's well being and performance, this is because, with the passing of time and the isolation, the songs were molded, aquiring it's own identity. Currently there exists different folclore groups that give life, be it from the music and dances of other times, but also from the clothing reigerously preserved by the inhabitants of the island.

Cuisine
Similar to the other islands of the Azores, here you can also find the typical soups of the Império, made in large pots of steel and accompanied by corn bread.

Santa Maria also offers Raddish Soup, Bolo da Panela, Caçoila, Molho de Figado, soup and Caldeirada de Peixe.

For the seafood appreciators, we have Crab, Lobster, limpits and perrywinkles, true dishes not to miss.

Last but not least we have the desserts of Santa Maria, rich in it's biscoitos(cookies), namely biscoitos encanelados, biscoitos de orelha, biscoitos brancos, biscoitos de aguardente and the typical cavacas (small, thin, triangular sheets of dough, deep fried and served with sugar and cinnamon).

Originating from the vineyards of São Lourenço, we have Vinho de Cheiro, knwon throughout the region. Vinho Abafado, the liquor and agaurdente, produced in an artisan form. Are synonimous of the enormous diversity of products. These delightful wines are popular throughout Europe and served in Paris, Barcelona and blackpool hotels.

Things to See
São Formosa: Magnificent beach of clear and crystaline sand, where the Maré de Agosto Festival takes place, the largest festival on the island. Located on a marvellous bay, where happiness and good disposition is in abundance for all visitors that pass through.

Our Lady of Fátima Chapel: One of the first chapels to be built in Santa Maria, with a particular quality of having, in steps, the same number of verses in the rosary, being necessary to climb the one hundred and fifty steps to get to the chapel.

São Lourenço Bay: Bathing area with a beach and natural pools, with the possibility of participating in aquatic sports or to visit the only islet unique in it's sub-aquatic wealth. Of the many vineyards that cover the entire coastline, is where the well-appreciated São Lourenço wine is located, consumed by the great appreciatos of a good wine.

Anjos: Small locality, in the northern part of the island of Santa Maria, where still today they still marvellously preserve the small chapel where Christopher Columbus ordered a mass after his return from America. Beach and natural pool with water temperatures inviting for a relaxing swim with a visit to the Ponta dos Frades.

Touristic Guide
Covered in vineyards, the island of Santa Maria assimilated to a fram, that does not leave it indifferent. The elegant white chimneys, brough by the first inhabitants coming from the southern area of Mainland Portugal.

The pages of history of Vila do Porto and of Anjos, that saw the arrival of Columbus in his first voyage to America. The charms of the quaint island of Santa Maria, warmed by the sun.

Cut by bays, Sanat Maria has the most beautiful beaches in the Azores, with white and crystaline sands where it's waves challenge surfers, windsurf, sailing, diving, sport fishing at high sea... alas, innumerous activities for the true appreciators of sporting vacations.

The appreciators of tranquil and revigorating vacations will find at their disposition a bucolic scenery. A contrast between the green hills and the stripped plains of primitive vegetation.

Vila do Porto, Santo Espirito, Anjos and São Pedro are points of an excursion that leads us to get to know churches, convents, fortresses that bring back past memories.

During the days in Santa Maria there is time to taste the fresh fish, the delicious limpits and perrywinkles ripped from the rocky coastline. Upon your departure, you will bring many memories and a promess to return one day.