About Povoação

Povoação is a municipality in the Azores, Portugal. Its name derives from the small village (povo) of Povoação Velha, which is the seat of the municipality. The village is located in the north-central part of São Miguel Island, along the southern coast. It is the oldest village on the island, and one of the oldest in the Azores. Povoação was founded in 1470, and is one of the seven municipalities that make up the Central Group of Islands of the Azores. The municipality covers an area of 46.73 km², and has a population of 3,552 inhabitants (2011). The municipality is home to many tourist attractions, including the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo, the hot springs of Caldeira Velha, and the Parque Natural da Serra da Tronqueira. It is also home to the Pico Alto do Grogue, the highest point on São Miguel Island.