Our Island

Somewhere, in the middle of the Atalantic, there is a Portuguese archipelago called “Arquipélago dos Açores” (archipelago of the Azores) which is constituted by 9 islands.

We live in one of those, In Sao Jorge (Saint George), known as the “Dragon Island”. This island has 246 km² of area, 53 km in lenght and 8 km wide.

Our school is the town of Velas and it is currently comprised by 699 students from pre-school to the 12th grade, 52 employees and 102 teachers who work as a team in order not only to prepare us as future workers, but also to educate us as citizens.

 The building is a bit old and it is divided in blocks. However, our new school is in construction:  There is a project, which started in 2012 and it is expected to be finished in 2014.

Besides the classes, we have extracurricular activities, such as sports and clubs, namely music, art, European studies, science, math, chess, foreign languages, reading and entrepreneurship.

The main particularity about this island where we live in, is the “fajãs”, which are a flat ground, generally arable, of small extent, situated by the sea. Our “fajãs” are all habited.

Our economy relies on agriculture and fishing.  

Our main products are the famous “Queijo de São Jorge” (cheese) and “Atum de Santa Catarina” (canned tuna). In the handicraft area the elaborated pieces on traditional looms are a must, like the bedcovers called “colchas de ponto alto”.

As far as gastronomy is considered, we are proud of “espécies”, a traditional sweet, made with lots of spices.

We wait for your visit here on the Island, we are sure that you will enjoy to get to know it!