Funchal

Food

Walking the levadas

Exploring Madeira

Madeira is a archipelago located in the mid Atlantic Ocean and is an autonomous region of Portugal. There are only two inhabited islands, Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island

A Brief History:

Madeira was discovered by Portuguese sailors between 1418-1420.

In 1419 two captains, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, were driven by a storm to the island they named Porto Santo (meaning Holy Harbour). The next year an expedition was sent to populate the island, and take possession of the islands on behalf of the Portuguese crown.

In 23 September 1433, the name Ilha da Madeira (Madeira Island or "wood island") appears on a map, its first mention in a document.

The British Empire occupied Madeira ( a friendly occupation ) as a result of the Napoleonic Wars between 1807 and 1814 when the island was returned to Portugal and the British did much to popularise Madeira wine.

Since the 17th century, Madeira's most important product has been its wine.

---

Facts and Figures:

Population of around 250,000

Madeira means ‘wood’ and grows mahogany.

The island is rich with dwarf banana’s that are sweeter than the larger more expensive ‘silver banana’s’. 12,000 tonnes are produced in any one year.

The average wage is 432 Euro per month

Madeiran’s do 50 year Mortgages and they stop paying age 70.

Hydro Electric power creates 28% of the Islands energy. 4% of energy is created through windmills.

Tourism is an important sector in the region's economy since it contributes 20% to the region's GDP