GEOGRAPHY
Stretching out from the volcano, with an altitude of 2,351 metres, which gives it its name, the island of Pico (which means Peak) has an oblong shape, a length of 42 km, a width of 15.2 km and a tolal area of 447 km2. A plateau with secondary volcanic cones ends next to the sea in tall cliffs while the lowest area, in the west, has moderate slopes. It is situated at 28º 20' West longitude and 38º 30' North latitude.
HISTORY
After cattle had been put ashore there in the first half of the 15th century, the settlement of the island started in about 1460 when natives of northern Portugal arrived after calling at Terceira and Graciosa. its first Captain or Donee was Alvaro de Ornelas, who never took effective possession of the island, so that it was incorporated in the captaincy of Faial. It soon had its first town in the form of Lajes, followed by São Roque in 1542. The population initially concentrated on the growing of wheat and, to a limited extent, of woad, a dye-yielding plant exported to Flanders, the latter through the influence of the neighbouring island of Faial, but these activities were soon joined by wine-growing and fishing.
This was followed by centuries in which the island lived practically at the margin of history, a situation which was interrupted by important volcanic eruptions in the 18th century.
In 1723 Madalena was raised to the status of a town, confirming its economic importance as the port ensuring connections with Faial and as the place of residence of the owners of the large vineyards in the area, which by then was already producing wine. By dint of hard work the lava beds were turned into orchards and vineyards.
The verdelho wine of Pico enjoyed international fame for over two hundred years. It was highly appreciated in a number of countries, namely, England, America and Russia, where it reached the table of the Czars.
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