Pico Island is an island of the Azores noted for its eponymous volcano, Ponta de Pico, which is the highest mountain of Portugal and also the highest elevation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The main settlements are the capital Madalena, São Roque do Pico and Lajes do Pico, the total population is around 15,000.
The volcano is in the south-west of the island, at 38.47 N, 28.40 W. It is a basaltic stratovolcano 2,351 m high with steep sides. The last eruption on the island was in 1963, with a small submarine eruption off the northwest coast. Prior major eruptions were in 1562-64, 1718 and 1720. The paths of the lava flows are still visible, those of the 16th century and 1718 were particularly substantial, extending for over 10 km.
The island supported a substantial whaling industry until 1980. The position of the island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge means that deep water is very close. Active industries include tourism, ship-building and wine production. Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. It has a notable wine, the Pico Wine.

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