View source for Pico Island

{{Short description|Portuguese island in Azores archipelago}}
{{Infobox islands
| name                              = Pico Island
| native_name                       = Ilha do Pico
| sobriquet                         = The Black Island
| image_name                        = Madalena do Pico - panoramio (8).jpg
| image_caption                     = The island of Pico, as seen from the north-west coast in the outskirts of [[Madalena, Azores|Madalena]] with vineyards and [[Mount Pico]] in the background
| image_map                         = Pico-pos.png
| image_map_caption                 = Location of the island of Pico in the archipelago of the Azores
| coordinates                       = {{coord|38|27|57|N|28|20|0|W|type:isle_region:PT-20|display=inline,title}}
| etymology                         = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] for [[Summit|peak]]
| location                          = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
| archipelago                       = [[Azores]]
| area_km2                          = 444.97
| area_footnotes                    = <ref name="siaram">{{cite web |title=Geografia Pico |url=http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/geografia/pico/intro.html |website=iaram.azores.gov.pt |publisher=Azores Government |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>
| rank                              = 3rd largest island in Portugal
| coastline_km                      = 151.84
| coastline_footnotes               = <ref name="siaram" />
| elevation_m                       = 2351
| elevation_footnotes               = <ref name="siaram" />
| highest_mount                     = [[Mount Pico]]
| country                           = {{POR}}
| country_admin_divisions_title     = [[Autonomous Regions of Portugal|Autonomous Region]]
| country_admin_divisions           = [[Azores]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = [[Municipalities of Portugal|Municipalities]]
| country_admin_divisions_1         = 
* [[Lajes do Pico]]
* [[Madalena, Azores|Madalena]]
* [[São Roque do Pico]]
| demonym                           = {{lang|pt|Picoense}}, {{lang|pt|Picaroto}}
| population                        = {{Decrease}} 13,883
| population_as_of                  = 2021
| population_footnotes              = <ref name="INE">{{cite web |title=INE - Plataforma de divulgação dos Censos 2021 – Resultados Preliminares |url=https://censos.ine.pt/scripts/db_censos_2021.html |website=censos.ine.pt |access-date=8 November 2021}}</ref>
| population_rank                   = 
| density_km2                       = 31
| density_rank                      = 
| languages                         = [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]
| ethnic_groups                     = [[Portuguese people|Portuguese]]
| timezone1                         = [[UTC−01:00]]
| utc_offset1                       = 
| additional_info                   = 
}}

'''Pico Island''' (''Ilha do Pico,'' {{IPA|pt|ˈiʎɐ ðu ˈpiku}}) is an island in the [[Central Group, Azores|Central Group]] of the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[Azores]]. The landscape features an eponymous [[volcano]], [[Mount Pico|Ponta do Pico]], which is the highest mountain in [[Portugal]], the Azores, and the highest elevation of the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]]. In the tradition of the Portuguese poet, [[Raul Brandão]], Pico is referred to as the '''''Ilha Preta''''' ("Black Island"), for its black volcanic soils, which nourish its UNESCO-designated vineyards that once allowed the development of the island's economy. Pico is the second largest and, geologically speaking, the most recently formed island of the Azores, being around 300,000 years old.<ref>{{cite web |title=Formação e principais erupções |url=https://www.azoresgreenmark.com/pt/acores/formation/ |publisher=azoresgreenmark.com |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Moinho de vento tradicional da ilha do Pico, Açores.JPG|thumb|left|A traditional windmill along the coast of Monte, in the municipality of [[Madalena (Azores)|Madalena]]]]
[[File:Igreja e Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara, São Roque, ilha do Pico, Açores, Portugal.JPG|thumb|left|[[Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara (São Roque do Pico)|Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara]], a 17th-century building]]
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|Description   = Radar image of Pico Island next to [[Faial Island|Faial]] and [[São Jorge Island|São Jorge]] islands
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The exact date of the island's discovery is not known.  However, in the 1375 [[Catalan Atlas]], Pico is depicted along several other islands of the Azores, where it is labelled as ''li colunbj''. In Cristoforo Soligo's map from 1475, Pico is described both as [[Don (honorific)|Dom]] Diniz (or São Diniz) island and as ''Insula Columbi''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=França |first1=Zilda |last2=Forjaz |first2=Victor-Hugo |last3=Ribeiro |first3=Carlos |last4=Vaz |first4=Amélia |last5=Ribeiro |first5=Elvira |last6=Azevedo |first6=Eduardo |last7=Tavares |first7=Jorge |last8=Almeida |first8=Luis |editor1-last=Forjaz |editor1-first=Victor-Hugo |title=Pico Island Natural History Handbook |date=2014 |publisher=Observatório Vulcanológico e Geotérmico dos Açores |location=Ponta Delgada |isbn=978-989-8164-16-2 |pages=10–11 |url=https://silo.tips/download/nib}}</ref>

Although the Azores were inhabited since 1439, settlement on Pico only started in the 1480s when Pico became part of the neighboring island of [[Faial Island|Faial]]'s control. Pico is thought to be the last of the islands of the [[Central Group, Azores|Central Group]] to be occupied.<ref name="iac">{{cite web |title=Pico Island Discovery and Settlement |url=https://www.iac-azores.org/iac2018/projetos/IPIA/pico/s-roque/historia.html |publisher=iac-azores.org |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

In a letter dated March 28, 1481, the administrator of the Azores, [[Don (honorific)|D.]] Beatriz, gave the possession of the island of Pico to the first [[captain of the donatarie]], D. Álvaro d'Ornelas, a resident of [[Madeira Island|island of Madeira]], on the condition that he populate the island ('Captains', often of noble heritage, obtained land rights in regions not important enough to merit a 'governor', and were a cheap way for the state to settle new territory). d'Ornelas failed to attract settlers, so on December 29, 1482, the [[Flemish people|Flemish]] captain of the island of Faial, 7&nbsp;km from Pico, Jós d'Hutra, became the new captain. The transfer of the island of Pico to Jós d'Hutra not only confirms that Pico was not colonized at the end of the 15th century, but also demonstrates the interest in boosting the insular population of the islands of the [[Central Group, Azores|central group]]. This was understandable given the growing geo-economic importance of the Azores archipelago at that time, as the Portuguese monarchy was expanding into [[Morocco]] and along the [[west Africa]]n coast.<ref name="EA" />

Population grew slowly, in part because of difficulties cultivating wheat. By 1587, there were less than 3,000 inhabitants. [[Soil quality]] is conditioned by the volcanic soils <ref name="EA" /> consisting mostly of lightly weathered recent basalt (designated as "biscoitos" or "[[Mistério (geology)|mistérios]]"). Examples include the Mistério de São João, resulting from a 1718 eruption. In addition, there are few rivers on the island compared to other parts of the archipelago. The last eruptions of magma took place in 1718 and 1720 and generated three volcanic [[cinder cones]] (''[[Mistério (geology)|Mistérios]]''): Santa Luzia and São João in 1718<ref>{{cite web |title=Vulcão do Pico |url=http://www.ivar.azores.gov.pt/vulcoes-activos/Paginas/vpico.aspx |publisher=ivar.azores.gov.pt |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref> and Silveira in 1720.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sistema Vulcânico Fissural do Pico |url=http://www.ivar.azores.gov.pt/vulcoes-activos/Paginas/svfpico.aspx |publisher=ivar.azores.gov.pt |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref>

Aside from a few slaves sent to herd sheep in isolation before European settlement, the island's first inhabitants were primarily Portuguese, but of diverse origins.<ref name="iac" /><ref name="EA"/> Settlers of Portuguese origin arrived from different parts of the [[continental Portugal|metropolis]], some passing though [[Madeira Island]] or other Azorean islands, particularly [[Terceira]]. Some inhabitants had noble origins, owning land and goods; there were secular and regular clergy, especially the Franciscans; and another group consisted of merchants, craftsmen, farmers and artisans. A small number of [[Jews]] came from the beginning of the 16th century, and there were indentured [[slaves]] of African origin at this time who farmed and did domestic work. The first municipality in Pico was established at [[Lajes do Pico|Lajes]], where fresh water was available (the place-name, [[Ribeiras]], attests to this).

Around 9,000 lived on Pico by 1695. Pico moved "up the ladder" of urban hierarchies from fifth largest centre in the Azores to fourth, behind [[São Miguel Island|São Miguel]], [[Terceira]] and [[Faial Island|Faial]]. By the middle of the 18th century, the population was over 19,000 people. In 1542, the inhabitants of the north of the island asked King [[João III]] to create a second village, to allow better law and order in a frontier economy with theft and corruption. [[São Roque do Pico]] was established.<ref name="iac" /> It was only much later, when the link between the islands of Pico and Faial strengthened further, that there was a need to create a third municipality; [[Madalena, Azores|Madalena]] was established in 1723 (the larger town of [[Horta, Azores|Horta]] is 7&nbsp;km away on Faial, and was where many of the island's property-owners and winemakers lived).<ref name="iac" /><ref name="EA" />

The islands of Pico and Faial were administered jointly until 1766, when Pico became an integral part of the [[Province of the Azores]], led by a captain-general based in [[Angra do Heroísmo|Angra]]. Centralizing governance in this way had poor success: in 1836, the people of Pico were integrated into a smaller administrative unit again, the third Azorean district, with the islands of [[Faial Island|Faial]], [[Flores Island (Azores)|Flores]] and [[Corvo Island|Corvo]].<ref name="EA" />

[[File:Pico Island - Russell & Purrington - A Whaling Voyage 'Round the World, 1848 - Museu dos Baleeiros.JPG|thumb|right|The town of Madalena, circa 1848]]

Settlers initially farmed wheat and some olives in addition to developing a [[woad]] industry, as on [[Faial Island|Faial]] (based on lichens that were exported to Flanders to produce commercial dyes). The two islands often shared livelihood activities<ref name= "visit">{{cite web |title=Pico História |url=https://www.visitazores.com/pt/the-azores/the-9-islands/pico/history |publisher=visitazores.com |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref> Viticulture, helped by the richer soils found in suitable micro-climates, then grew rapidly. The industry was disturbed by the last volcanic eruptions, but viticulture expanded commercial livelihood opportunities considerably. Pico's famous ''[[verdelho]]'' wine production, dating back two centuries, was widely appreciated in many countries (including England and in the Americas and even in the palaces of the Russian czars). Viticulture declined with the spread of [[powdery mildew]] and [[phylloxera]] during the middle of the 19th century, creating a crisis on the island that lasted until the 20th century.<ref name= "visit" />

The other major economic activity was whaling. The presence of American and British whalers in the waters of the Azores at the end of the 18th century stabilized the economy. [[Spermwhale]] [[whale hunting|hunting]] became the primary industry around the island until it was abolished in 1986. The whale factory is now a museum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Baleeiros açorianos: a história que não se repete |url=https://ensina.rtp.pt/artigo/baleeiros-acorianos-a-historia-que-nao-se-repete/ |publisher=[[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|RTP]] |access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref><ref name= "visit" />

==Geography==
===Physical geography===
{{wide image|Pico Panorama (26344642099).jpg|750px|align-cap=center|Panorama of the westernmost part of the island, and [[Faial Island]] at a distance}}
[[File:A Mounatin rises (38089613382).jpg|thumb|right|View of the stratovolcano near the Pico Wine Museum]]
[[File:Hike up Mountain Pico (Portugal's highest peak), Pico Island, Azores, Portugal (PPL1-Corrected) 5 julesvernex2.jpg|thumb|right|High altitude area of the island, showing cloud cover adjacent to the summit]]
[[File:Ilhéus do Pico, ilha do Faial ao fundo, Açores.jpg|thumb|right|[[Madalena Islets|The two islets]] at the entrance to [[Madalena (Azores)|Madalena]] harbor, formed from a submerged crater]]
[[File:IlhadoPico2022OSM.png|thumb|left|Detailed map of Pico and neighbouring Faial]]
The island is 17.5&nbsp;km south of [[São Jorge (island)|São Jorge]]  and just 7&nbsp;km east of [[Faial Island|Faial]], in the Central Group of islands, an area that  is colloquially known as '''''O Triângulo''''' (The Triangle). Pico is 46.3 kilometers long, and at its maximum extent about 16 kilometers wide; making it the second largest of the Azores islands. The 151.8&nbsp;km coastline is slightly indented with [[inlet]]s and [[cove]]s. Accessibility to the sea poses no difficulties, except in sections with plunging, unstable cliffs, subject to frequent [[volcanic landslide|landslides]] (as seen in the northeast and southeast). Seabirds find favorable conditions for nesting in these habitats, in particular the species of Tern (''[[Sterna hirundo]]'' and ''[[Sterna dougallii]]'') and Shearwater (''[[Calonectris borealis]]''). The rocky substrates prevail throughout the coast (slabs that alternate with rolled [[pebble]]s), there are no sandy beaches, but there are numerous [[tide pool]]s and natural inlets used for bathing.<ref name="EA">{{cite web |title=Enciclopédia Açoriana |url=http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/ea/pesquisa/Default.aspx?id=9367 |website=Cultura Açores |access-date=15 June 2021 |language=pt}}</ref>

Along the central plain of volcano cones to the eastern coast, the landscape is pitted with the remnants of craters and lake-filled cones, and dominated by the ancient volcano of Topo. Geomorphologically, the island is composed of three units:<ref>{{cite web |title=Geomorfologia |url=http://www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt/geologia-acores/pico/Paginas/GA-Pico-Geomorfologia.aspx |website=www.cvarg.azores.gov.pt |access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Caracterização e Diagnóstico da Ilha do Pico |url=https://servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt/grastore/DRA/PGRH/PGRH-A_RT_cap2_vol6_pico.pdf |publisher=servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt |access-date=7 May 2021 |pages=60–61}}</ref>
* '''[[Topo Volcano]]''' - Located on the southernmost side of the island, it corresponds to an ancient [[shield volcano]] created by the overlap of various lava flows and destroyed by erosion and landslides;
* '''[[Achada Plateau]]''' - Extending from the east side of the island to the stratovolcano, the Achada Plateau is an axial zone comprising spatter and lava cones along a mountainous ridge filled with lake-filled craters, dense scrub and forests. [[Cinder cone|Cones]] in this region are oriented along a west-northwest and south-southeast axis along a path east to west between the other volcanic structures;
* '''[[Mount Pico|Pico Volcano]]''' - It occupies the western portion of the island, and corresponds to a central volcano with {{convert|2351|m|ft|abbr=on}} in altitude, created by numerous [[Hawaiian eruption|Hawaiian]] and [[Strombolian eruption]]s. Along its flanks are diverse lava and spatter cones that are formed along radial fractures and faults.

Pico Island's tectonic structures are generally oriented along a west-northwest to east-southeast and a northeast to southwest axis. The main axis controls the main structures, especially the main mountain of Pico, while the secondary axises affect the radial fractures and faults along the central plain and eastern volcano.

Similar to the geomorphological structures described above, the volcanic landforms have been identified by Madeira (1998) in the following units:<ref>{{cite web |title=Unidades Vulcanológicas |url=http://www.ivar.azores.gov.pt/geologia-acores/pico/Paginas/GA-Pico-Unidades-Vulcanologicas.aspx |website=www.ivar.azores.gov.pt |access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>

* '''Volcanic Complex of Lajes''' - pertains to the oldest volcanic structures, comprising volcanoes, lavas and debris that are between 35 and 300,000 thousand years old; it makes up the structures of the eastern part of the island, including the ancient volcano of Topo.
* '''Volcanic Complex of Calheta de Nesquim''' - dating to about 230,000 thousand years ago, this is a fissural zone of cones and basaltic lavas, associated with the Achada Plain, and the many faults along the central plateau of the island.
* '''Volcanic Complex of Madalena''' - the most recent volcanic complex, with both geological and historical eruptions; it includes the [[basalt]]ic [[stratovolcano]] of Pico, but also many of the cones, faults and lava fields that circle the 2,351 meter summit.

The last volcanic eruption (which is debatable) occurred in 1963, in a small submarine eruption off the northwest coast (north of Cachorro in [[Santa Luzia (São Roque do Pico)|Santa Luzia]]). Prior to this, major volcanic activity was evident in lava fields generated in only the areas of [[Prainha (São Roque do Pico)|Prainha]] (1562–64), [[Santa Luzia (São Roque do Pico)|Santa Luzia]] (1718), São João (1718) and Silveira (1720). The paths of the lava flows are still visible; those in the 16th century and 1718 were particularly substantial, extending for over 10&nbsp;km. Today, the only visible evidence of active volcanism appears on the summit of Pico, in the base and interior of the Piqueninho (the mini-peak on the summit); there are irregular emissions from cracks in this zone. Additionally, there are emissions on the eastern flanks between 1500 and 2000 meters altitude. There have also been found areas of de-gasification along the fault associated with the Lagoa do Capitão and another in the Topo Volcano, as well as a spring rich in {{CO2}} in the area of Silveira.

===Earthquakes===
Pico, much like the other islands, is susceptible to seismic events, although their epicenters have primarily been localized in the [[Faial-Pico Channel|Faial-Pico]] or Pico-São Jorge Channels. Only three significant tectonic earthquakes have hit the island of Pico since the beginning of settlement: The [[1755 Lisbon earthquake|1757 earthquake]], which caused significant damage in the eastern region of the island including the death of 11 people and the collapse of a church and a few houses; the 1973 seismic crisis (October 1973 – May 1974) in which the main earthquake (with magnitude 5.5) did considerable damage to 604 houses in Faial and 2,000 in Pico, which left nearly 5,000 people homeless;<ref name="EA" /> and the July 9, 1998 earthquake, the strongest earthquake registered in the last 30 years, which had its epicenter 5 kilometers northeast of Ponta da Ribeirinha, on the island of Faial, reaching a 5.8 magnitude. It was felt on Pico, with a maximum intensity level of VII on the [[Mercalli intensity scale|Mercalli scale]]; some homes were damaged and possessions were buffeted. Other violent earthquakes which have affected the island include: the 1957–58 seismic events associated with the eruption of the [[Capelinhos]] volcano (on Faial), the February 1964 earthquake on the island of São Jorge, and the 1926 earthquake, whose epicenter was registered in the Faial–Pico Channel.

===Biome===
[[File:Pittosporum undulatum (trebol-a).jpg|thumb|''[[Pittosporum undulatum]]'', here depicted on Pico, is one of the most [[invasive species|invasive]] plant species on the island]]
{{See also|Pico Nature Park}}
According to the 2018 land occupation chart of the Azores, compared to the other islands of the archipelago, Pico has, both by proportion and total land area, the largest area of intact native [[laurisilva]] forests, and [[Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests|broadleaf forest]]s (which includes introduced species such as ''[[Pittosporum undulatum]]''), that occupy, respectively, 2.9% and 30% of the island. Pico is the only island in the Azores where [[pasture]] and [[meadow]] are not the dominant landscape (accounting only for around 29% of the territory).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ocupação do Solo {{!}} Carta de Ocupação do Solo 2018 |url=http://ot.azores.gov.pt/store/inc/cosa2018/relatorio/Relatorio_COS.A_2018.pdf |publisher=Ordenamento do Território dos Açores |access-date=13 September 2021}}</ref>

Like the remaining islands of the Azores, Pico suffered extensive deforestation following its occupation. While some land, especially at the coast, was used for housing, the majority was and is still used for farming, livestock and the wood industry (of ''[[Cryptomeria]]''). Additionally, several introductions of exotic species in the 19th century, like ''[[Hydrangea macrophylla]]'', ''[[Pittosporum undulatum]]'', ''[[Hedychium gardnerianum]]'' and ''[[Psidium cattleyanum]]'', resulted in invasion and destruction of the remaining native habitats.

[[Gaspar Frutuoso]] gave a brief description of the island's flora only a century after being occupied:

{{blockquote|text="All around this island, there is abundant and thick wood of cedar [''[[Juniperus brevifolia]]''], ''sanguinho'' [''[[Frangula azorica]]''], ''ginja'' [''[[Prunus lusitanica]]''], ''pau branco'' [''[[Picconia azorica]]''], ''faias'' [''[[Myrica faya]]''], laurels [''[[Laurus azorica]]''], and above all, the yew wood [''[[Taxus baccata]]''], found solely on Pico [...] There are many trees: Cedar, ''pau branco'', laurel, ''faia'', ''tamujo'' [''[[Myrsine africana]]''], heaths [''[[Erica azorica]]''] as large as trees, ''sanguinhos'', ''zimbro'' and laurustinus [''[[Viburnum treleasei]]''] [...]"|sign=Gaspar Frutuoso, late 16th century|source=[[Saudades da Terra]], Book VI<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frutuoso |first1=Gaspar |title=Livro Sexto das Saudades da Terra. |location=Ponta Delgada |pages=131–133 |url=https://sites.google.com/site/saudadesterra/livro6.pdf?attredirects=0 |access-date=24 December 2021 |language=Portuguese |chapter=41}}</ref>}}

Over a third of the [[Natura 2000]] protected areas of the Azores are located on Pico. It has also the largest number of volcanic cavities ([[lava cave]]s) of anywhere in the archipelago, 86 out of 225.<ref>{{cite web |title=Natureza |url=http://www.azores.gov.pt/NR/rdonlyres/938A239D-07F8-437D-8790-80CC14D1F375/112495/Natureza.pdf |publisher=azores.gov.pt |access-date=14 June 2021}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Lagoa do Capitão com montanha do pico.jpg|thumb|The climate on the highlands of Pico is characterized by cool temperatures and extreme humidity. The photo shows the few [[Azores juniper]]s that remain near the shores of Lagoa do Capitão]]
Pico, like the other islands in the archipelago, has a mild maritime climate with high precipitation and high humidity for most of the year. However, due to its distinctive topographic variation, temperature and precipitation levels vary significantly depending on altitude and location, with rainfall generally more concentrated in the east. Temperatures fluctuate by approximately 8°C (14.4°F) between the coolest month, February, and the warmest month, August.

At lower elevations, where most of the population resides, Pico has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfa''; [[Thornthwaite climate classification|Thornthwaite]]: ''B'') with mild, rainy winters (mean around {{convert|14.5|C}}) and warm, noticeably drier summers, (mean around {{convert|22|C}}) although generally not dry enough to be classified as [[Mediterranean Climate|Mediterranean]].<ref name="EA" /> It has an average annual temperature of {{convert|17.5|-|18|C|F}} and around {{convert|1000|to|1600|mm|in|abbr=on}} of precipitation fall each year, though values as high as {{convert|2000|mm|in|abbr=on}} are typical on the central northeast coast ([[São Roque do Pico (parish)|São Roque]], [[Prainha (São Roque do Pico)|Prainha]] and [[Santo Amaro (São Roque do Pico)|Santo Amaro]]).<ref name="Azevedo">{{cite book |last1=de Azevedo |first1=Eduardo B. |title=Pico Island Natural History Handbook |date=January 2014 |publisher=Observatório Vulcanológico e Geotérmico dos Açores |pages=16–28 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281107821 |access-date=16 June 2021 |chapter=Climate Overview}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Normais Climatológicas - 1971-2000 |url=https://www.ipma.pt/pt/oclima/normais.clima/1971-2000/#535 |publisher=[[IPMA]] |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref> Because of its high [[relative humidity]] (around 80%), summers can feel slightly warmer than they really are.<ref name="PGRH">{{cite web |url=http://servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt/grastore/DRA/PGRH/PGRH-A_RT_cap2_vol6_pico.pdf |title=Caracterização e Diagnóstico da Ilha do Pico |publisher=servicos-sraa.azores.gov.pt |access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climaat.angra.uac.pt/documentos/PDF/Urbanismo.pdf |title=Clima e Diferenciação Climática das Ilhas dos Açores |publisher=www.climaat.angra.uac.pt |access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref>

At higher elevations, like the [[Achada Plateau]], temperatures are cooler and precipitation increases, it therefore transitions into a wet [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''; [[Thornthwaite climate classification|Thornthwaite]]: ''A''), average relative humidity stays around 90%<ref name="PGRH" /><ref name="EA" /> and fogs produced by the cooling of rising air masses from the ocean are persistent, which, in turn, creates an environment typical of a [[cloud forest]]. Places such as the [[Lagoa do Caiado|Caiado]] and Paul lakes receive, respectively, {{convert|4698|and|3357|mm|in}}<ref name=ACI/> of precipitation each year and [[Mount Pico]] is recognized as receiving the largest annual rainfall in Portugal (over {{convert|5000|mm|in|abbr=on}} per year at the northeastern flanks of the volcano).

At around {{convert|1200|m|abbr=on}}, the climate becomes [[subpolar oceanic climate|subpolar oceanic]] (''Cfc'') (somewhat comparable to the [[Faroe Islands]]). As altitude surpasses {{convert|1500|m|ft}} and exceeds the [[planetary boundary layer]], both precipitation and humidity levels decrease reaching the top of Mount Pico which is estimated to receive only {{convert|500|mm|in}} of precipitation. Temperatures at the peak of the stratovolcano (~{{convert|2300|m|ft}} [[Height above sea level|a.s.l.]]) average {{convert|2|C|F}} and snow can be frequently seen in the cooler months, being one of the few places in the [[Azores|archipelago]] where this phenomenon is possible.<ref name="Azevedo" /> The climate is classified as [[alpine climate|alpine]] at the very top.<ref name=ACI />

Pico has registered the highest temperature ever recorded in the Azores, {{convert|32.1|C}} on 7 September 1985 at [[Pico Airport]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Extremos Climatológicos - Arquipélago dos Açores |url=https://www.ipma.pt/pt/oclima/extremos.clima/index.jsp?page=extreme_az.xml |publisher=[[IPMA]] |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> and although there are no climatic stations at Mount Pico, it is likely that the island has also experienced the lowest temperatures in the archipelago at the top of the mountain.

{{Weather box
|location = [[Pico Airport]], [[Bandeiras (Madalena)|Bandeiras]], [[Madalena, Azores|Madalena]], Pico Island, Azores
|width = 
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 16.6
|Feb high C = 16.2
|Mar high C = 16.7
|Apr high C = 17.6
|May high C = 19.3
|Jun high C = 21.6
|Jul high C = 24.1
|Aug high C = 25.3
|Sep high C = 24.2
|Oct high C = 21.6
|Nov high C = 19.1
|Dec high C = 17.5
|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 14.5
|Feb mean C = 13.9
|Mar mean C = 14.4
|Apr mean C = 15.2
|May mean C = 16.7
|Jun mean C = 19.0
|Jul mean C = 21.3
|Aug mean C = 22.4
|Sep mean C = 21.4
|Oct mean C = 19.2
|Nov mean C = 16.9
|Dec mean C = 15.4
|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 12.4
|Feb low C = 11.7
|Mar low C = 12.2
|Apr low C = 12.8
|May low C = 14.2
|Jun low C = 16.4
|Jul low C = 18.5
|Aug low C = 19.6
|Sep low C = 18.7
|Oct low C = 16.8
|Nov low C = 14.8
|Dec low C = 13.4
|year low C =

|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm =  109.5
|Feb rain mm =  113.8
|Mar rain mm =  97.0
|Apr rain mm =  68.1
|May rain mm =  77.0
|Jun rain mm =  35.9
|Jul rain mm =  31.2
|Aug rain mm =  63.0
|Sep rain mm =  91.4
|Oct rain mm =  130.6
|Nov rain mm =  147.3
|Dec rain mm =  144.2
|year rain mm =

|Jan humidity = 80
|Feb humidity = 80
|Mar humidity = 80
|Apr humidity = 79
|May humidity = 81
|Jun humidity = 81
|Jul humidity = 80
|Aug humidity = 80
|Sep humidity = 80
|Oct humidity = 79
|Nov humidity = 80
|Dec humidity = 81

|source 1 = ''climate-data.org''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.climate-data.org/europe/portugal/azores/sao-roque-do-pico-6965/|title=Climate: São Roque do Pico|access-date=2020-08-04}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[IPMA]] (precipitation),<ref name=ACI>{{cite web |title=Atlas Climático Ibérico |url=http://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/publicacoes/atlas.clima.ilhas.iberico.2011.pdf |publisher=[[IPMA]], [[AEMET]] |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> (humidity from the neighboring city of Horta)<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/PO/08506.TXT |title = Horta Climate Normals 1961-1990 |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200313111933/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/PO/08506.TXT |archive-date = 2020-03-13 |url-status = dead |access-date = December 18, 2012}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|location = Cabeço do Teicho, 2017-2024, altitude: ~ {{convert|850|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high C = 19.9
|Feb record high C = 20.5
|Mar record high C = 19.3
|Apr record high C = 18.2
|May record high C = 21.5
|Jun record high C = 24.0
|Jul record high C = 24.6
|Aug record high C = 25.3
|Sep record high C = 23.3
|Oct record high C = 23.5
|Nov record high C = 22.9
|Dec record high C = 18.7
|year record high C =

|Jan avg record high C = 17.3
|Feb avg record high C = 17.4
|Mar avg record high C = 17.2
|Apr avg record high C = 16.6
|May avg record high C = 19.7
|Jun avg record high C = 21.4
|Jul avg record high C = 23.6
|Aug avg record high C = 24.4
|Sep avg record high C = 22.9
|Oct avg record high C = 21.7
|Nov avg record high C = 19.2
|Dec avg record high C = 17.3
|year avg record high C = 24.4

|Jan high C = 11.8
|Feb high C = 11.9
|Mar high C = 12.1
|Apr high C = 12.6
|May high C = 14.8
|Jun high C = 16.6
|Jul high C = 19.7
|Aug high C = 20.7
|Sep high C = 18.9
|Oct high C = 16.6
|Nov high C = 14.3
|Dec high C = 12.4
|year high C =

|Jan mean C = 9.6
|Feb mean C = 8.9
|Mar mean C = 9.2
|Apr mean C = 9.9
|May mean C = 11.7
|Jun mean C = 13.5
|Jul mean C = 16.4
|Aug mean C = 17.5
|Sep mean C = 16.0
|Oct mean C = 13.9
|Nov mean C = 11.8
|Dec mean C = 10.1
|year mean C =

|Jan low C = 7.2
|Feb low C = 6.1
|Mar low C = 6.5
|Apr low C = 7.4
|May low C = 8.7
|Jun low C = 10.5
|Jul low C = 13.3
|Aug low C = 14.5
|Sep low C = 13.4
|Oct low C = 11.4
|Nov low C = 9.5
|Dec low C = 7.8
|year low C =

|Jan avg record low C = 3.1
|Feb avg record low C = 1.9
|Mar avg record low C = 2.7
|Apr avg record low C = 3.5
|May avg record low C = 5.0
|Jun avg record low C = 7.1
|Jul avg record low C = 8.8
|Aug avg record low C = 10.8
|Sep avg record low C = 9.6
|Oct avg record low C = 7.0
|Nov avg record low C = 4.9
|Dec avg record low C = 3.5
|year avg record low C = 1.4

|Jan record low C = 1.6
|Feb record low C = 1.3
|Mar record low C = 0.7
|Apr record low C = 2.7
|May record low C = 2.7
|Jun record low C = 4.2
|Jul record low C = 7.5
|Aug record low C = 8.5
|Sep record low C = 8.9
|Oct record low C = 4.9
|Nov record low C = 3.9
|Dec record low C = 2.1
|year record low C =

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 571.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 353.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 324.4
|Apr precipitation mm = 388.2
|May precipitation mm = 348.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 142.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 106.2
|Aug precipitation mm = 208.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 283.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 405.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 563.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 492.7
|year precipitation mm =

|Jan humidity = 91
|Feb humidity = 89
|Mar humidity = 90
|Apr humidity = 90
|May humidity = 89
|Jun humidity = 90
|Jul humidity = 89
|Aug humidity = 90
|Sep humidity = 91
|Oct humidity = 91
|Nov humidity = 92
|Dec humidity = 91
|year humidity =

|source 1 = Direção Regional do Ambiente<ref>{{cite web |title=Rede Hidrometeorológica dos Açores - Direcção Regional do Ambiente - SRAAC - GRA |url=http://portal-sraa.azores.gov.pt/rhma/# |website=portal-sraa.azores.gov.pt |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
}}

===Human geography===
{| border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" style="float:right;"
|
{{stack|
{{Historical populations
|title = Population of <br />Pico Island<br /><small>(1695–2019)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Santos |first1=Carlota |last2=de Matos |first2=Paulo Teodoro |title=A demografia das sociedades insulares Portuguesas. Séculos XV a XXI |url=https://ler.letras.up.pt/uploads/ficheiros/15218.pdf |page=28 |access-date=14 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sousa |first1=Ivo |title=Evolução da população na ilha do Pico (desde 1849 a 2050) |url=https://www.caisdopico.pt/2015/09/evolucao-da-populacao-na-ilha-do-pico.html |publisher=Cais do Pico |access-date=14 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rocha |first1=Gilberta Pavão Nunes |title=A População das Regiões Insulares dos Açores e da Madeira em 2011 |url=https://www.ine.pt/ngt_server/attachfileu.jsp?look_parentBoui=226319438&att_display=n&att_download=y |publisher=[[Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Portugal)|Instituto Nacional de Estatística]] |access-date=14 June 2021 |page=4}}</ref></small>
| 1695 | 10028
| 1747 | 19748
| 1776 | 21061
| 1795 | 22310
| 1849 | 31000
| 1900 | 24500
| 1930 | 20500
| 1960 | 21837
| 1981 | 15483
| 1991 | 15202
| 2001 | 14806
| 2011 | 14148
| 2021 | 13895
}}
}}
|}

Geological, geomorphological and climatic constraints played (and still have) a determining role in economic activity, in the distribution of urban agglomerations and in demographic evolution. The settlement pattern is a good example of adaptation to the specific physical geography of this island, developing mainly along the coast and along the roads of communication. The main urban centers, municipality seats, are located by the sea: [[Madalena (Azores)|Madalena]], [[São Roque do Pico]] and [[Lajes do Pico]].<ref name="EA" />

Regarding demographic behavior, the population has continued to decline since the middle of the last century, a trend that continues to the present day. However, the 1960s and 1970s were the decades that showed a more negative population variation rate, due to the intense [[emigration]] surge that was generated at this time and that was generalized to the entire archipelago. Unlike other islands in the Azores, in the 1990s the situation did not change, continuing to register a negative population variation (-2.6%), even higher than that registered in the 1980s. According to the XIV General Census of Population (INE, 2002), the population totaled 14,806 inhabitants, which represents a decrease of 396 inhabitants compared to 1991. In 2001, the municipality of Madalena had the largest population (6,136 inhabitants), followed by Lajes do Pico (5,041 inhabitants) and São Roque (3,629 inhabitants). The population density (33.3 inhabitants/km2) was among the lowest in the archipelago and the age structure showed signs of aging, with more than 50% of the population aged between 25 and 64 years, against 30% of young people and about 20% of seniors.<ref name="EA" />

As of 2021, the total population is estimated to be around 13,895 inhabitants.<ref name="INE" />

<gallery mode="packed">
Pico100.jpg|The village of [[Madalena, Azores|Madalena]] at the western base of Mount Pico, as seen from the Faial-Pico Channel
PIC LAJ Lajes do Pico.JPG|[[Lajes do Pico]], along the south-central coast, with Mount Pico in the distance
PIC SRQ São Roque do Pico.JPG|The port and historic centre of the civil parish of [[São Roque do Pico|São Roque]], showing the whaling museum, and former rendering factory along the coast
Ilha do Pico - Açores.jpg|East side of the island, viewed from Mount Pico
</gallery>

==Economy==
[[File:PIC LAJ 20090122 SaoRoque monumentWhalers.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Whaling]] was once one of the main industries of Pico]]
Historically, Pico was largely dependent on [[Faial Island|Faial]] for its economic, political and social activities, and it still is to this day, although mitigated by the entrepreneurial dynamics of its population and by the centralities created by the autonomous regime. The close relations with the neighboring island are still established in the maritime routes that cross the [[Faial-Pico Channel|channel]] daily. Fishing is one of the main activities of the primary sector, namely the capture of tuna for the canning industry, which mainly employs female labor in the processing of fish. Dairy farms supply raw material to the various cheese factories, whose product is highly appreciated for its artisanal characteristics (soft paste).<ref name="EA" />

Currently, it is the secondary and tertiary activity sectors that have the greatest dynamism, occupying around 30% and 50% of the active population, respectively, due to the growth in the offer of services and the installation of branches of the regional administration, which generate specialized employment. The employment rate increased in the 1990s, from 35% to 40%, and contrary to the regional average, the unemployment rate remained stable from 1991 to 2001 (3.2%). However, the level of education is low, with most inhabitants having only the 1st cycle of basic education. Note that only 4.3% have higher education, which is lower than the regional average (5.2%). This situation, together with the still significant percentage of working people in the primary sector (20%), indicates an unfavorable panorama in terms of professional qualifications among the active population.<ref name="EA" />

Like the other islands, tourism is also an emerging activity in Pico, seen as a strategic pillar for diversifying the economic base. The offer of accommodation has progressed, seeking to respond to the needs of an increasingly demanding destination, with five hotel units (hotels, pensions and others) and four for tourism in rural areas (2002). The support services to visitors and the establishments of restaurants, culture, car rental, tourist entertainment, among others, multiply. As the main whaling center in the Azores, economic agents knew how to transform whale watching into a flourishing business, through the reactivation of an ancestral activity with an undeniable heritage of historical and cultural interest (boats, whaling boats, lookouts, former manufacturing industries, etc.). The capture of sperm whales (''[[Physeter macrocephalus]]'') for oil extraction and production of meal for animal feed definitively ceased in the 1980s, due to the replacement of whale-derived products and compliance with international conventions. The first operator of «whale watching» was installed in Lajes do Pico, with around 26 companies linked to nautical activities.<ref name="EA" />

===Pico Wine and vine culture===
[[File:Pico Island Vineyard 5.jpg|thumb|The typical lava stone walls protecting the vines]]
{{Main|Pico IPR}}
The vine culture on Pico Island began in the late 15th century, when the settlement of the island started. The [[Verdelho]] vines found ideal conditions to grow and mature in the volcanic soil and dark stone walls (''currais''). Later, it was exported to many countries in Europe and the Americas, and even reached the Russian court tables. Years later, wine production is not as important an economic activity as it used to be, despite trials to improve the varieties and incentives for the restoration of ''currais''. The vineyards, which mark the island's landscape and ancestral cultural practices, are a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] since 2004 (see [[Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture]]).<ref name="EA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Vinha da Ilha do Pico, Património da Humanidade |url=https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/node/73825 |website=www.visitportugal.com |access-date=16 June 2021 |language=pt-pt}}</ref>

==Sustainable tourism==
In 2012, Pico received the QualityCoast Gold Award for its efforts to become a [[sustainable tourism]] destination. Because of this award, Pico was selected for inclusion in the global atlas for sustainable tourism [[DestiNet]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qualitycoast.info/brochure/qc2012.pdf |title=Sustainable Tourism Destination EUCC |access-date=2013-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918125549/http://www.qualitycoast.info/brochure/qc2012.pdf |archive-date=2016-09-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Notable people ==
[[File:Jose Vieira Alvernaz.jpg|thumb|140px|Jose Vieira Alvernaz]]
* [[José da Costa Nunes]] (1880 in Candelaria do Pico – 1976) a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] of the Roman Catholic Church, Bishop of Macau, 1920-1940 and [[Patriarch of the East Indies]], 1940–1953. 
* [[José Vieira Alvernaz]] (1898 in Ribeirinha - 1986) a Portuguese prelate, Bishop of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Cochin|Cochin]], Archbishop of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman|Goa and Daman]] and [[Patriarch of the East Indies]]
* [[Arquimínio Rodrigues da Costa]] (1924 in São Mateus – 2016) a prelate of the Catholic Church, Bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Macau|Diocese of Macau]], 1976–1988.
* [[Fernando Machado Soares]] (1930 in São Roque do Pico – 2014) a [[fado]] singer, poet, composer, jurist and retired judge.
* [[Caesar DePaço]] (born 1965 in Madalena) a businessman and former consul for both Portugal and Cape Verde
* [[Duarte Freitas]] (born 1966 in São Roque do Pico) a politician and former [[Member of the European Parliament]]

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
São Roque do Pico - panoramio (11).jpg|Black sand beach of Canto da Areia
Lagoa dos Grotões, concelho da Lajes do Pico, ilha do Pico, Açores, Portugal.JPG|Grotões Pond
Museu do Vinho do Pico, Dragoeiros com idades estimadas entre 500 e 1000 anos, 5 Lagido da Madalena, Concelho da Madalena, ilha do Pico, Açores, Portugal.JPG|Old ''[[Dracaena draco]]'' near Pico's Wine Museum
Paisagem Protegida de Interesse Regional da Cultura da Vinha da Ilha do Pico, campos de vinha, Madalena do Pico, ilha do Pico, Açores.JPG|[[Pico IPR]]
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of volcanoes in Azores]]
*[[Pico IPR]]
*[[Queijo do Pico]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Sources===

* {{citation |last=Scarth |first=Alwyn |author2=Tanguy, Jean-Claude |title=Volcanoes of Europe |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2001 |page=[https://archive.org/details/volcanoesofeurop00alwy/page/243 243] |isbn=0-19-521754-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/volcanoesofeurop00alwy/page/243 }}
* {{citation |last=Nunes |first=J.C. |title=A actividade vulcânica na ilha do Pico do Plistocénio Superior ao Holocénio: Mecanismo eruptivo e hazard vulcânico. Tese de doutoramento no ramo de Geologia, especialidade de Vulcanologia |publisher=University of the Azores |location=Ponta Delgada |year=1999 |page= 357}}
* {{citation |last=Madeira |first=José Eduardo de Oliveira |title=Estudos de neotectónica nas ilhas do Faial, Pico e S. Jorge: uma contribuição para o conhecimento geodinâmico da junção tripla dos Açores. Tese de Doutoramento no ramo de Geologia, especialidade em Geodinâmica Interna |publisher=Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon |location=Lisbon |year=1998 |page= 428}}
* {{citation |last=Madeira |first=José Eduardo de Oliveira |author2=António Brum da Silveira |title=Active tectonics and first paleoseismological results in Faial, Pico and S. Jorge islands (Azores, Portugal) |publisher=Annals of Geophysics|volume=46 |series= 5 |location=Lisbon |date=October 2003 |pages= 733–761}}
* {{citation |last1=Senos |first1=M.L. |first2=João Luís |last2=Gaspar |first3=Teresa |last3=Ferreira |first4=L. |last4=Cruz |first5=J.C. |last5=Nunes |first6=J. |last6=Pacheco |title=O terramoto do Faial de 9 de Julho de 1998 |publisher=Proceedings do 1º Simpósio de Meterologia e Geofísica da AMPG  |year=1998 |pages= 61–68}}

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Pico}}
{{Wikivoyage|Pico}}
*[https://www.flickr.com/groups/pico Pico - A Ilha Montanha Atlantica, a Flickr Group with images of the island]
*[https://theazoresislands.blogspot.com/search/label/Pico%20Island The Azores Islands Blogspot, with information on the Azores and Pico Island]
*[http://www.peakfever.com/hike-info-09.php A Pico hike and trip report] (September 2007)
*[http://www.visitpico.com Visit Pico]

{{Azores Islands}}  
{{World Heritage Sites in Portugal}}
{{Outlying territories of European countries}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pico}}
[[Category:Pico Island| ]]
[[Category:Stratovolcanoes of Portugal]]
[[Category:Mountains of Portugal]]
[[Category:Islands of the Azores]]