The green of the forests and pastures, the brown of the agricultural lands, the black of the rocky headlands, and the blue of the sea complement the island’s landscapes. The presence of several dragon trees and patches of endemic vegetation in valleys protected from human intervention are key characteristics of the island’s landscape.
The “fajãs” are the main hallmark of São Jorge’s landscape and have been part of the exclusive list of UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves since 2016. They were also awarded an honorable mention in the 2020 National Landscape Award, within the context of the 3rd National Conference on Architecture and Landscape.
The Biosphere Reserve of São Jorge’s Fajãs covers a total area of 98,114.17 hectares, encompassing the entire land area of the island of São Jorge and a surrounding marine area, with the outer limit situated 3 nautical miles from the coastline. The customs associated with the fajãs, unique to the Azores, have been consolidated over the years, resulting in a cultural specificity that continues to this day.
The island of São Jorge features an extensive coastline, resulting from its elongated shape, and its mountainous appearance is mainly due to the steep cliffs, especially on the northern coast, which makes the landscape more rugged. Alongside the enclosed valleys, there are others that don’t even reach sea level, remaining suspended at the top of the cliffs, giving rise to magnificent waterfalls.
Along the coastline, flat surfaces, known as fajãs (talus fajãs and lava fajãs), appear sporadically, which are a distinguishing feature of the island due to the balanced relationship between humans and nature, as well as the unique experiences, landscapes, and biodiversity.
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