Pico (38o 30' N e 28 o 20' W) is the youngest and second largest island of the Azores, with an area of 444,9 km2, all around the volcano which gives the name to the Island, with 2351 m high, being the highest point of Portugal. Pico island has an elongated shape thanks to its 42 km of length and 15km at its maximum width. A plateau with secondary volcanic cones, which form the beautiful lagoons, extends to the coast, ending in high cliffs, whilst the lower area to the west is gently sloping.

The island was discovered by Portuguese navigators between 1449 and 1451; it was first known as King Dinis Island. The settlement of the island is a mystery, but it may have taken place from 1460s onwards, after herds had been deposited on the wild island. Settlers arriving from the North of Portugal chose to settle Lajes at first place, which was entitled village in 1501, being the administrative headquarters of the whole Island. Later in the north coast, Sao Roque was entitled village in 1543. In 1723, it was the time for Madalena to be elevated to the status of village as well, confirming its economic importance to the island, and its commercial links to Faial. Due to the geographic proximity, the connection between the Island of Pico and Faial has assumed a huge importance, once Horta functioned as the harbor of exports for the products made in Pico.

The economy was first based on the production of wheat and dye plants, which were exported to Flandres. The mineral resources of the lava soils led to the introduction of vineyards, mainly of verdelho grapes. During the XIX century, there was a wine crisis caused by Oidium and phylloxera, which destroyed most of the vineyards. It was when the inhabitants started to emigrate, mainly tp North America and Brazil. As an alternative to the vineyards, those who stayed in the island were turned to the sea, devoting themselves to fishing, ship building and whaling, which was a source of survival for many family along many years. The island's climate has also contributed to the success of fruit, in particular grapes, quinces, peaches, oranges, apples and figs.

Nowadays, industries such as tourism, ship building, fish processing and wine production are important economic sources of the island.

The cultivation of vines is a center of attraction for tourists visiting Pico Island, because the vines are born of lava stones. If put together, all the stone erected by tough bearded men, more than two centuries ago, to form the walls that protect the vines and fig trees, can circle equator. Pico's wine and famous moonshine soon became fame renowned in and out of the island; the Verdelho wine reached international fame for more than 200 years, being served at the table of the Russian czars. During the seventeenth century, wine production had great importance; however, the wine crisis of the mid-nineteenth century, caused by the attack of oidium and phylloxera, reached most of the vineyards. The production was only reestablished a few years later with the introduction of new varieties, helping to develop the island's economy.

The uniqueness of Pico viticulture is internationally recognized, with the classification of the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004. The BootsnALL company, which publishes independent travel guides, considered the pedestrian path of the Vines in Criaçao Velha as one of the eight unique hiking paths in the world.

Nowadays, white, red and rosé wines of recognized quality are produced in Pico, which can be tried in wine tasting events organized in wine cellars and local restaurants. Verdelho wine is a dry white wine with an alcohol content of 15 to 17 percent, which after ageing serves as an excellent appetizer. The Pico Island Wine Cooperative, in Areia Larga, concentrates the local wine production with new grape varieties, and can be visited. The Wine Museum, in Madalena, shows the various stages of wine production, with a wide collection of tools, stills and barrels. In Santa Luzia, you can visit the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Interpretation Centre and the stills where the renowned moonshine is produced. The angelica and liqueurs of various fruit and herbs are suggestions for those who prefer sweeter drinks.

The whaling activity was introduced in the island by North-American ships, which during the XVIII century were looking for sperm whales along Pico's shore. They used the ports of the island for shelter and food supplying and so started to recruit manpower among the locals to fight against the giants of the sea. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the local community began to embrace the activity and whale hunting prospered until the mid-twentieth century. The final point came in 1986 when the hunting of cetaceans was forbidden; they are now protected species. Pico Island continues to maintain a close link with the whales, because whale hunting was replaced by whale watching, the center of attraction of the Azores tourism. Another aspect of the whaling legacy consists of whaling boats races, rowing or sailing, very traditional in Pico Island's festival, giving rise to stiffer disputes with crews from all over the island and from other " islands of the triangle. "

The whaling Azorean epic is told in the Whaling Industry Museum in Sao Roque do Pico, where you can see preserved equipment used in whaling; the Whalers Museum in Lajes do Pico also holds a collection of photographs, tools, artistic copies of scrimshaw (whale teeth and bones engraving) and boats. Lajes, Sao Roque, Calheta de Nesquim or Ribeiras invite you to discover picturesque harbors, old whalers and streets with typical houses.

Pico is a source of attraction for scientists, tourists and explorers who seek for unveiling the magic of Atlantis, between the lava rocks and the exotic vegetation in an ever changing scenery of lights and shadows dominated by the gigantic mountain, a history that links the vineyards to the sea and a sleeping volcano for more than 300 years.

Pico Island is inhabited by about 14.144 people (census 2011). People from Pico are men and women full of courage, joy and hospitality. Knowing a picaroto is making a you'll never forget. The popular folk festivals, the summer festivals and taverns where you can taste the smell of wine, spirits and liqueurs, accompanied by appetizing snacks are places for social interaction and exchange of experiences between the people of the land and foreigners visiting the island.