[4] The parish has very rough topography with slopes oriented NW-SE which connect the low, coastal plain lands with the high, inland Achada Plateau reaching 881 m (2,890 ft) on Cabeço do Mistério.

The Mistério da Prainha, a formation made up of lava flows emitted by a historic eruption above the parish (1562-1564), occupies the extreme west of it.

[4] The coastline, with about 9.2 km (5.7 mi), is generally low and very jagged, with islets and points that alternate with sheltered coves, especially the Areia Bay (Baía da Areia) and the Canas Bay (Baía de Canas).

The small port and above all the “natural pools” attract many holidaymakers, especially Poça Branca, where there are excellent conditions for bathing.

The small watercourses, with shallow valleys, originate in the Achada Plateau and flow in a torrential regime.

[4] Farming, viticulture and fishing are the economic base of the parish, along with livestock, carpentry, sawmilling, baking, dairy products, small businesses and basalt cutting.

More recently, tourism has also played a role in the local economy, several typical houses made of volcanic stone, characteristic of the island have been the focus of restoration works.