Velas

Velas is a municipality in the Northern part of the Azores.

The parish population in 2001 is 1,929, its density is 127.1/km² and the area is 15.18 km². The parish is also known as São Jorge.

The municipality is located on the western part of the island and main roads run east. It also has a deep water portport.

It is divided into 6 parishes (freguesias). The municipality includes the western half of São Jorge. It is almost surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean except for the east. The bordering municipalities are Santa Cruz da Graciosa in the island of Graciosa to the north and Calheta to the east on land.

The village was chartered in 1500.

The six freguesias of the municipality are:

• Manadas
• Norte Grande
• Rosais
• Santo Amaro
• Urzelina
• Velas