[2] The parish of Norte Grande it has been one of the largest populations on the island; by 1570, its importance along the north coast justified the construction of a road into the areas around Neves.

Indignant Calhetense gathered in Norte Grande, then encircled those officials in the church, who had taken refuge from the angry farmers, who refused to pay the excessive charge on a staple.

Norte Grande straddles the interior crest and northern coast of São Jorge, approximately the middle of the island.

The parish is home to a milk processing factory, used in the production of the island's epitimous Queijo de São Jorge, a protected denomination (DOP) of cheeses.

Norte Grande is the seat of the Sociedade Filarmónica Recreio Nortense, founded in 1931, one of the premier philharmonic bands on the island.