Description
Group of ports in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, crucial as a meeting, resupply, and repair point for the Portuguese fleets of the Carreira da Índia and Brazil.
Year of Foundation or Oldest Source
Portuguese discovery and colonization began in the 15th century.
Country (State or Region)
Portugal
Location
Azores Archipelago (Ex: Terceira Island, Faial Island).
Structuring
Natural ports in protected bays. Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira, was fortified and became an important administrative center. No additional details of structures in the documents.
Notes
Fundamental stopover for ships returning from India, allowing them to await favorable conditions for the final approach to Lisbon and serving as a meeting point for convoys protected against privateers. Also important for the Brazil fleets. Center of agricultural production (wheat, woad) and livestock, supplying the fleets.
Sources
O'FLANAGAN, Patrick. Port cities of Atlantic Iberia, c. 1500-1900. London: Routledge, 2008.
