{"id":1365,"date":"2022-09-13T14:02:32","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T14:02:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greenzoneazores.com\/?p=1365"},"modified":"2023-10-30T18:22:03","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T18:22:03","slug":"historia-dos-acores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greenzoneazores.com\/en\/historia-dos-acores\/","title":{"rendered":"Azores: A Brief History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Discovery of the Azores<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Since the 14th century<\/strong> the existence of the Azores<\/strong> has been marked on sea charts. An unknown archipelago, nine islands lost in the immensity of the North Atlantic, abundant in vegetation, shrouded in mystery and mist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Gaspar Frutuoso<\/strong>, Azorean naturalist and chronicler of the 16th century, referred in his books\u00a0\u201cSaudades da Terra\u201d<\/strong>, that the Azores had been discovered by\u00a0Gon\u00e7alo Velho Cabral<\/strong> strong>, having arrived on the island of Santa Maria<\/strong> in 1432<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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However, over the centuries, questions about who discovered the Azores or when they were discovered were resolved, reaching the conclusion that the discovery of the first Azorean islands would have occurred around\u00a01427<\/strong>, under the command of Diogo de Silves<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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And the first to be found were those of the Eastern group,\u00a0Santa Maria and S\u00e3o Miguel (1427)<\/strong>, followed by\u00a0Terceira Island<\/strong>\u00a0and the rest of the Central group, between\u00a01449 <\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a01451<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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And the first to be found were those of the Eastern group,\u00a0Santa Maria and S\u00e3o Miguel (1427)<\/strong>, followed by\u00a0Terceira Island<\/strong>\u00a0and the rest of the Central group, between\u00a01449 <\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a01451<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the oldest royal document referring to the Azores, which dates from\u00a0July 2, 1439<\/strong>, permission is given to Infante D. Henrique to order\u00a0populate and release sheep<\/strong>\u00a0on the seven islands of the Azores. Azores.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Colonization of the Azores<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The year 1440 is seen as the beginning of the settlement of the Azores<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The\u00a0colonization<\/strong>\u00a0occurred throughout the\u00a015th and 16th centuries<\/strong>\u00a0brought to the archipelago numerous settlers from different parts of Portugal (Algarve, Alentejo, Extremadura and Madeira archipelago<\/strong>), but not only.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Spaniards, French, Italians, Flemings, English, Jews, Moors and African slaves also arrived in the Azores.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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And in those first years we had to work hard: clearing trees and vegetation, plowing the land, building houses, and enduring all the difficulties that Mother Nature could bring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The cut wood was exported or used in shipbuilding and with the clearing of the land the first crops were grown, being the 15th century marked by large exports of cereals (wheat), starting the culture and industry of pastel, heather and sugar cane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The 16th century is characterized by great social and economic development, with Ponta Delgada and Angra do Hero\u00edsmo being elevated to cities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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During this century the cultivation of pastel and heather becomes more important, European vines, later replaced by American vines, multiply, and yams and sweet potatoes are introduced.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the 17th century it is the cultivation of linen and orange trees that gain strength and corn is introduced. Still in this century, there are several volcanic earthquakes that lead to a wave of emigration to Brazil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the 18th century, in turn, the first exports of oranges to the United Kingdom were recorded, tree planting intensified, and potatoes were introduced.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the 19th century, the orange culture and commerce reaches its peak and new bovine species arrive in the Region. Whale hunting becomes common and the cultivation of tea, espadana, tobacco and pineapple are introduced to the island of S\u00e3o Miguel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In 1893, the Azores are connected to the worldwide submarine cable network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The first half of the 20th century was characterized above all by the beginning of sugar beet manufacturing and a great development in the dairy and fishing industries. A new wave of emigration occurred, mainly to the United States of America and Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The first half of the 20th century was characterized above all by the beginning of sugar beet manufacturing and a great development in the dairy and fishing industries. A new wave of emigration occurred, mainly to the United States of America and Canada.<\/p>\n

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Important Dates<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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But the Azoreans' character was not only made of land and sea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Over the centuries, several political-administrative events have shaped the insular people and contributed to what the Azores and Portugal are today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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