Life is relaxed in the Azores. The local population ensures this. They differ from their compatriots on the mainland. History has repeatedly brought new immigrants and shaped the current population. Traditions are still highly valued.
The Azores were settled over the centuries. Portuguese were among them, as were Moors, Jews, Flemings, and Bretons. The islands were always dependent on mainland Portugal, yet they developed independently. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Azores were a hub of seafaring. Consequently, many nationalities landed there. Their legacy is still visible today: fair-skinned islanders are not uncommon. Unique traditions have been preserved to this day. And something else is remarkable: some Azoreans still only know their own island. The large TourThe nine islands don't need an economic boom. Agriculture and EU subsidies ensure basic supplies.
It was only with the granting of autonomy in 1976 that the sense of community grew, which still unites young and old today. A total of almost 242.000 people live in the Azores today. More than half of them live on Sao Miguel, On Corvo Not even 500 people live there. The population density in 2003 was approximately 104 inhabitants/km².
About 97% of the population is Catholic. A large portion is still devoutly religious.
Population distribution:
Sao Miguel: 53%
Santa Maria: 2,5%
Terceira: 23,3%
Graciosa: 2,2%
Pico: 6,4%
Flores: 1,8%
Faial: 6,3%
Corvo: 0,2%
Sao Jorge: 4,3%
Emigration:
Many emigrated. Natural disasters and hunger often left no other choice. In the poverty of the 19th century, many sought their fortune in the USA and Canada. A century earlier, American whalers had already established close ties with North America. They had introduced the hunting of the giant mammals. As day laborers, they sailed west on their ships, hoping for better times. Only a few returned. Between 1970 and 1980, the population declined by 15 percent, from 290.000 to 240.000. Fortunately, since 1981, the population numbers have been rising slightly again.
Today, more people of Azorean descent live in the USA than on the nine islands themselves. It is estimated that there are around 800.000 Azoreans living abroad, including their descendants. From afar, they support those who remained and, ideally, return later with considerable wealth, even if homesickness often prevails. A strong connection to their ancestral homeland also exists among those who have emigrated. Recently, the increasing TourHowever, it has created new perspectives.
Hospitality:
The Azoreans are good hosts. They open up slowly, but once you've won their hearts, they are very helpful. TourIslam is not necessarily a bad thing. Visitors from overseas are rather a welcome change, and especially in more remote regions, a passing hiker is also a new source of information.
Language:
The national language is Portuguese. However, it differs considerably from mainland Portuguese in some respects. The constant influx of immigrants from all over the world has contributed to a distinctive dialect over the centuries. There are also differences from island to island.
In the Azores, many people speak English very well. America was and remains a country of emigration, so almost everyone has some relatives overseas.
