Emigration has historically characterized Portuguese life and has undeniably defined the personality of the islands.
The origin of the Azorean emigration goes back to, perhaps, the beginning of the settlement, according to researchers. However, its systematic character dates back to the 17th century.
There were five major destinations for Azorean emigration: Brazil, United States, Bermuda, Hawaii and Canada.
The first systematic emigration was to Brazil, namely to the South of Brazil, in 1747, with the departure of about six thousand people. Emigration to this country was variable, after this period, there was a large migratory flow in the late 19th century, early and mid-20th century to the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In chronological terms, the United States emerged as the second emigration destination, in the second half of the 18th century, but we can only consider it an effective and preferential destination in the middle of the 19th century.
Bermuda was the third major destination for Azorean emigration. The year 1849 marks the beginning of emigration from the Azores to this North Atlantic archipelago. If compared to other destinations, most emigrants came from all the islands of the Azores, in the case of Bermuda, they were mostly from São Miguel.
Hawaii, the current Pacific state of the United States, was at the end of the 19th century a destination for many Azoreans. Living conditions in the archipelago and the economic crisis at the time, caused by the decline in orange production and the consequent decrease in trade, led many Azoreans to emigrate to Hawaii, where the working conditions offered were very attractive. This emerged as a center of attraction, despite the geographical and cultural constraints, especially for the population of São Miguel Island.
Canada was the last major emigration destination for Azoreans. Systematic emigration dates back to 1953 and was only possible after the signing of bilateral agreements between Portugal and Canada on the entry of emigrants into that country. Despite this being a very recent emigration, the number of Azoreans who emigrated was high.
Historical destinations of Azorean emigration:
