1427: Azores — The Mid-Atlantic Base

The Azores archipelago, discovered around 1427 and settled through the 1430s-1440s, became one of Portugal's most strategically important Atlantic possessions. These nine volcanic islands, scattered across 600 kilometers roughly 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon, served as a crucial mid-Atlantic base for centuries.

Discovery in Stages

Unlike Madeira's concentrated discovery, the Azores were found gradually. Santa Maria was likely first sighted around 1427. Over the next decade, Portuguese navigators identified the other islands—São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores, and Corvo.

The islands were uninhabited when discovered. The name 'Azores' (meaning 'hawks') may derive from misidentified buzzards the Portuguese encountered, or may be a corruption of earlier Mediterranean names.

Settling the Edge of the Known World

Colonization began in the 1430s under Prince Henry's sponsorship. Settlers came from mainland Portugal, Madeira, Flanders, and even Moorish North Africa. The crown granted land to nobles willing to invest in development, following the model established in Madeira.

Settlement was challenging. The islands are mountainous, volcanic, subject to earthquakes, and battered by Atlantic storms. But settlers adapted—raising cattle, growing wheat, cultivating woad for dye. Over time, they developed a distinct Azorean culture and identity.

Strategic Gateway

The Azores' true value was strategic. Positioned between Europe, Africa, and America, they became an essential waypoint for ships crossing the Atlantic. Prevailing winds and currents made the Azores a natural collection point for returning vessels.

Ships from Brazil, West Africa, India, or the Caribbean stopped at the Azores to replenish supplies, repair damage, and wait for favorable winds to Lisbon. The harbors bustled with ships from across the empire.

Treasure Fleets and Pirates

The Azores' role as an assembly point for treasure-laden ships made them a prime target for pirates. English, French, and Dutch privateers lurked in Azorean waters hoping to intercept vessels heavy with gold, silver, and spices.

The most famous naval engagement occurred in 1591 near Flores—the Battle of Flores, where the English ship HMS Revenge fought alone against a Spanish fleet for 15 hours. This heroic last stand became legendary, immortalized in Tennyson's poem.

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Nine islands in the middle of nowhere became the crossroads of everywhere.