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The Azores (Açores), Portugal

Ribeira Grande, Island of São Miguel (March 2001)

Also be sure to see the Travel/Geography Blog

Bridge Over Ribeira Grande

Bridge Over Ribeira Grande
Ribeira Grande, translates to "Large Stream" in English. It is the main town on São Miguel's northern coast. A large stream runs through town as the name implies. In the early days of settlement it provided power for grain mills, and a town flourished along its banks.

An arched bride allows Rua do Estrela to traverse the ribeira grande. Here the stream completes its swift mountainous descent to the sea. If you look closely between the middle arches you can see the ocean at the mouth of ribeira grande.

Waterfall

Ribeira Grande Waterfall

While this powerful stream still races downhill from the mountain, it has been tamed as it drops into the coastal plain and runs through the center of town. Here a portion has been restrained by terracing to form a waterfall through landscaped parkland.

Readers who have an interest in waterfalls might also want to check my Waterfall Index page.

Ribeira Grande Overlook

Ribeira Grande from Above

The road leading out of town climbed the central highlands and provided a panoramic view of Ribeira Grande below. This gave us an excellent perspective and appreciation of the relatively flat coastal plains where a town logically grew.