São Jorge, situated north of the island of Pico and west of the island of Terceira, with 56 km in length and 8 km in width. The discovery and populating of the island are wrapped in mystery. However it is known that the first reference to the island of São Jorge dates back to 1439.
São Jorge, lives through centuries of near isolation, interrupted by rare visits of authority figures, of boats of commerce originating for the neighboring islands and by nobelmen that come here to contemplate the beautiful scenery.
And finally, the isolation is broken with the modern and safe seaports and an airport, opening São Jorge to new horizons of richness and progress; of which joining the exploration of it's natural resources, and the expansion of cattle raising, fishing, and the making of the famous São Jorge cheese, without forgetting the precious and unique, artwork in cotton of the Fajã dos Vimes and cedar wood from the Ribeira Seca, as well as the construction of fishing boats in Calheta and Topo.
The Cultural Week of Velas, it is the event with the most popularity on the island, and it takes place on the first week of July. During these weeks, events take place such as conferences and speeches by well-known individuals of Azorean culture that come to the island of São Jorge for this event; concerts, by local local artisits and from artists from Mainland Portugal; A bullfight festival and finally the Horta - Velas - Horta regata, which completes the list of events of these very famous festivities.