The Portuguese found the island uninhabited, with an abundance of trees and fresh water. They imported livestock, fruit trees and vegetables, and built a chapel and one or two houses. Though they formed no permanent settlement, the island was an important rendezvous point and source of food for ships travelling from Asia to Europe, and frequently sick mariners were left on the island to recover, before taking passage on the next ship to call on the island. COUNT 5
QSN1 What did the island have an abundance of when discovered? ANS1 trees and fresh water. QSN2 What was imported by the settlers of the island? ANS2 livestock, fruit trees and vegetables QSN3 What kind of buildings were built by the settlers? ANS3 a chapel and one or two houses. QSN4 Who was left on the island to recover when sick? ANS4 mariners QSN5 What was the island a source of for ships travelling from Asia to Europe? ANS5 food