Graciosa is the most northerly island in the central group, just thirty five miles north-east of Terceira island. Like São Jorge, Graciosa belong to district of Angra do Heroísmo. It is the second smallest island in the archipelago, only 23 square miles in area, and has a present population of roughly 6,000, almost all of them engaged in farming or fishing.
Very different from the other islands, Graciosa has a drier climate, few springs or streams, and no woods. The island is around 14 kilometres long from North West to South East, and has an average width of 8 kilometres. Very little happens here to disturb the rule of peace, just the infrequent visits of inter-island ferries. Said to be the most fertile island in the Azores, Graciosa produces mainly cereals, fruit and vegetables.
Ilha Graciosa means ‘Charming Island’, very apt in itself, but the Portuguese word graciosa now has an archaic ring that’s even more appropriate. History seems to have passed the island by, with just a casual nod from century to century, and there’s a quality of timelessness among Graciosa’s little farming communities and fishing ports.
Until an airport opened on the island, few tourists had the leisure to make the necessary ferry journey from Terceira. In any case, there is little in the way of outstanding natural phenomena to lure people here. Yet the gentle rustic beauty and tranquillity leave a lingering nostalgia in whoever is fortunate to find his way to Graciosa.
