Fajã de São João, Coastal settlement in Santo Antão, Portugal.
Fajã de São João is a coastal settlement on the southern shore of Santo Antão in the Azores, built on volcanic deposits that reached the sea. The site features a narrow band of level land bordered by steep cliffs that separate it from the elevated terrain above.
The settlement formed through volcanic activity when lava flows reached the coast and created flat habitable spaces that attracted permanent settlement. People established themselves there because the fertile soil supported farming on the small available land.
Residents practice small-scale farming on family plots that have been passed down through generations, using terraced fields to work the steep terrain. This agricultural tradition shapes how the settlement looks and how people organize their daily work.
The settlement is difficult to reach by road and typically requires hiking down to the shore or arriving by boat from elsewhere. Basic accommodations are available in the community for visitors who want to stay overnight.
The area has a specific microclimate with frequent fog and light rain that creates favorable conditions for growing coffee beans and various fruits. These weather patterns are unusual for the Azores and make the settlement stand out botanically.
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