Horta
- Faial in a nutshell Faial's
first inhabitant, according to legend, was a hermit who sought refuge from the
world. there Josse van Huerter. a wealthy Fleming, obtained a letter patent in
1468, naming him donee of the island and giving him the right to bring settlers
from Flanders during the Hundred Years' War. These Flemings settled in the parish
of Flamengos - the very name of which recalls their origin - and later in the
Horta area. The island prospered due to agriculture
and the export of the dye-yielding plant called woad. Until
about 1860, Faial's posilion in the Ailantic and the existence of a sheltered
port attracted cargo boats engaged in the orange trade and American whalers, which
called there to take on supplies. In the first half of the 20th century Faial
was an important centre for underwater cable links and took part in the pioneer
period of aviation. Today Faial is a developing island, with an economy based
on agriculture, livestock raising, the dairy industry, fishing and trade. Here
is the link to the Tourist Info on-line | 
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