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 Madeira Accommodation
Madeira Guest & Manor Houses
Madeira Holiday Apartments
Madeira Holiday Rental Agents
Madeira Holiday Resorts
Madeira Hotels
Madeira Hotels & Spas
Madeira Inns
Madeira Entertainment
Madeira - Museums
Madeira - Night Life
Madeira - Restaurants
Madeira - What to do
Madeira Golf Courses
Palheiro Golf Course
Porto Santo Golf Course
Madeira Rural Guide
Madeira Rural Guide
Madeira Island Useful Tips
Useful Tips
Madeira Wines
Wines
Introduction to Madeira
Madeira is made of two main Islands, Madeira
and Porto Santo. The main island, Madeira,
is 56 Kms. long and 19 Kms. wide but it would take a day
to drive around the island due to its volcanic peaks that
soar up to 1.862 metres, then in places dropping sharply
into the ocean and down another 1.000 metres to the
seabed. This island in the Atlantic Ocean has a land
area of about 797 square kilometres, and about 600 Kms.
away from the coast of Morocco. The Islands were known
about by earlier sailors than the original landing of
explorers which took place in the early 15th Century
led by the Portuguese João Gonçalves Zarco and
Tristão Vaz Teixeira. Sugar cane was grown and
by 1514 there were already some 5.000 permanent
inhabitants. It became a fought over prize for both
the French and the Spanish. The French sacked Funchal
in 1566 and it was not until 1662 when the Portuguese
regained permanent control. In 1801 An English fleet
arrived and temporary took Funchal by ousting the
Spanish and French defending forces. This action was
repeated by the English in 1807 and later returned it
to Portuguese control. There is a romantic story which
records that the ship carrying the famous pirate
William Kidd and his immense treasure, sank in a
location close to the Deserted Islands.
By 1890s the island had attracted tourists and many
English residents and has since continued as a very
popular location due to the temperate climate of never
being too hot nor too cold. Two notable English
families were the Blandys and the Leacocks, both of
which placed the island on the international map with
the export of Madeira Wine and Madeira Lace. The later
family were once surprised by Napoleon. who on his way
to his future Island imprisonment, laid anchor in order
to trade some very valuable paintings for Madeira wine.
Today, the total resident population has greatly
expanded and exceeds 100,000 whilst emigration which
has been been long practiced is now in the past due to
the growth of the tourist industry.
The town and port of Funchal is the main town
of the Ilha de Madeira. The port is
architecturally pleasing with the added attraction of
its decorative paved streets. Visitors to the island
are usually smitten by the impressive rugged beauty
of its peaks in comparison to the lush semi-tropical
vegetation around its coastline.
The hidden valleys and peaks of the Island all
deserve a visit together as do the several botanical
gardens, some of which are part of old private
residencies opened to the public. A trip around the
island has to to take in the village of Santana
on the north coast where the visitor will still see
the traditional triangular shaped homes of the
islanders. For the healthy at heart is a trip to
Pico do Areeiro and climb to the highest point
on the island at 1.862 metres. For fun there is the
special and unusual dry toboggan ride on the Monte
in the main town. Most visitors find too much to do
on the island, and too little time! A very special
time to visit Funchal is over the New
Year’s Eve which is world famous for the
quality of its celebration.
About two hours by boat will take you to the island
of Porto Santo that has what the main island
mainly lacks – sandy beachs of 9 kms. in length.
Here, there is museum to Christopher Columbus who is
said to have lived on the island after marrying the
daughter of the first governor. Porto Santo has
become very popular as a holiday destination in the last
five years with its golf course and Hotels which have
stolen the peaceful past beauty of the island.
The Ilhas Desertas(Deserted Islands) can also be
reached by taking a boat trip. The Island are now a
nature reserve due to the killing off of wildlife by the
local fishermen. The Islands is curiously the only home
of the black wolf spider that is deadly to humans.
Most world travellers find the Madeira Islands so
attractive and interesting that they tend to return more
than once. (Visit - Portugal History)
Madeira Island Weather (detailed)
Detailed Madeira weather conditions
Detailed Porto Santo weather conditions
Madeira Photos
Madeira Mountain View
· Madeira Coastal View
· Madeira Mountain Walk
· Madeira Mountains
· Madeira Basket Weaving
· Madeira Christmas Fireworks
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Madeira Events |
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| Flower Festival |
April/May |
| Music Festival |
June |
| Food Festival (Santana) |
August |
| Festas das Vindimas (Porto Santo) |
August |
| Wine Festival |
September |
| Festival of Columbus (Porto Santo) |
September |
| Festas de Verão e Peixe (Câmera de Lobos) |
September |
| Encontro de Bandas Regionais (Ribeira Brava) |
October |
| New Year’s Eve |
December
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Useful Madeira Facts |
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| Postal Code |
 9000 |
| Altitude |
25 mts |
| Inhabitants - (Funchal) |
100.600 |
| Distances |
Azores - 950 kms
Lisbon - 960 kms
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Useful Madeira Telephone Numbers