SAO MIGUEL ISLAND

Portuguese Ilha De So Miguel, island, largest of the Azores, in the North Atlantic Ocean, 740 miles (1,190 km) west of Cape Roca, Portugal. Up to 40 miles (65 km) long and 9 miles (15 km) wide, it has an area of 288 square miles (746 square km). The island is volcanic in origin, with peaks culminating in Vara Peak, 3,570 feet (1,088 m) above sea level. The island has been devastated by nearly a dozen earthquakes and eruptions since the 15th century. Now a major winter resort, So Miguel is also a producer of fruits (especially pineapples), tea, wine, tobacco, cereals, meat, and dairy products. Its largest city, Ponta Delgada (q.v.), is the capital of the Azores autonomous region. Other important settlements are the resort centres of Furnas and Sete Cidades. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 126,388.