Lying 55 km (34 miles) south of São Miguel, Santa Maria was the first island in
the archipelago to be discovered by the Portuguese around 1427. Though only 18
km (11 miles) long, it has great scenic variety and boasts sandy beaches,
tranquil countryside and the warmest climate in the Azores. The island’s
capital, Vila do Porto , is on the south coast and consists of
a long main street that runs down to a small harbour. The west of the island is
a dry, flat plateau with a vast airstrip built in World War II. To the north
lies the fishing town of Anjos , where a statue commemorates a
visit made by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his return from discovering the
New World. Next to it, the small, whitewashed chapel of Mãe de
Deus  is the oldest in the Azores.

The highest point of Santa Maria is the central Pico Alto , 590
m (1,935 ft) above sea level, which on a clear day offers fine views over the
green and hilly east side of the island. Towards the east coast, the village of
Santo Espírito  is worth visiting for the white Baroque
façade of its church of Nossa Senhora da Purificação adorned with black lava
decoration, while the vine-covered half-crater of Baía de São
Lourenço , north of here, is a delightful summer beach resort.