GEOGRAPHY Madeira Island being largest and the most important island in the Archipelago of Madeira is located South West of Portugal (approx. 1 000km from Lisbon). Porto Santo was first to be discovered in the archepelago.  Known as the "Golden Island", Porto Santo is a much smaller than Madeira and very different - the land is flatter and vegetation is scarce, making it more arid than Madeira. Beautiful golden soft sandy beaches are main attractions stretching approx. 9km long.

 Desertas are a group of Islands forming part of the Archipelogo , namely Deserta Grands, bugio, Ilheu Chao and Prego do Mar,  Selvagens consisting of Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilheu de Fora. 

 

ACCESS  Good communications has contributed to Madeira Island’s successful development. Two Modern International airports have been built on both islands of Madeira and Porto Santo.  Direct flights are available from many European cities including Frankfurt, Milan, London, Gatwick, Paris, Madrid, Zurich and of course, Lisbon. Announcements have been made of low costs flights being available as from 2007.

 

 CLIMATE A Mediterranean and fairly uniform climate throughout the year allows tourists as well as newcomers to enjoy the sun in summer and in winter too.  Air temperatures fluctuate between 16º and 19º C in winter to 21 - 25º C in summer.  annual average is around 20ºC.  A fairly dry climate with around 80 days of rain each year, most of which occurs during the winter months and usually altitudes of between 700m and 1350m.

Good telecommunication and postal services includes the latest technology with direct dialling to and from anywhere in the world, plus an express mail service, contribute for the ideal retirement location in Europe.

 

 ECONOMY  Madeira Island’s productive development has been traditionally based on tourism and on characteristic products like embroideries, wicker works, flowers, tropical fruits and Madeira Wine.  However, there has been demise in these traditional activities over the years, causing a small problem with unemployment and because of the limitations of these products and the need to develop Madera Island’s economy, the International Business Centre (MIBC) was created with the support and approval of the EU.

 Unemployment is around 5% but is still a cause for concern especially with the demise of traditional activities such as agriculture and embroideries.

 

GOVERNMENT Madeira Island has enjoyed a degree of political and administrative autonomy since 1976 with the Portuguese constitution.  It now has its own government and legislative assembly.  However, this autonomy cannot override the supreme power of the Portuguese Republic.  One of the main attractions of MadeiraIsland is its political stability.  The Social Democratic Party has been in regional power since 1976 with an absolute majority.

 HISTORY  Discovery of the Archipelago of Madeira happened by accident during a Portuguese expedition to Guinea in 1418 when the fleet was overtaken by a storm taking them to the island of Porto Santo.  Madeira was discovered the following year.  Exploration of the Madeira Islands started immediately after their discovery and it was Madeira that developed quicker mainly due to its rich vegetation, its abundance of water for irrigation and its inaccessibility which afforded it protection from pirates.  During this period, the original settlers were joined by other groups, including many Genoese, Polish, English and French settlers who arrived in search of fortune and adventure. In 1508 Funchal was elevated to the status of city and was considered one of the most important in the Portuguese Kingdom, and was also the first city built by Europeans outside the European continent.

As the population increased, greater autonomy was given to the region.  In 1766, Madeira Islands were granted authority to mint its own money, and in 1901 the Portuguese government granted administrative autonomy to Fontal District  After the revolution of 1974, the archipelago of Madeira reached economic and political autonomy and became the Madeira Autonomous Region.

 

 LIFE, CULTURE AND LEISURE Due to its geographical location and traditional links with foreign countries, Madeira island has been welcoming European gentry since the early 1900's, particularly from the United Kingdom. Excellent infrastructures for sports - such as golf, tennis, mountain-climbing, horse-riding, fishing, sailing and many more are extensive and its rare mild climate allows for some of the most fascinating and exotic flora and fauna in the world.  Many of the flowers you see are exclusive and indigenous to Madeira Island.

 

 POPULATION Total population peaked at around 300,000 in 1960, but fell as a result of emigration.  This process reversed slightly after the Revolution and is presently around 250,000 and rather unevenly distributed.  75% live in Funchal, Camara de Lobos, Machico and Santa Cruz -south of the island.  although 10,5% of the population are over the age of 65, the 0-14 age group represents around 31% of the total population of Madeirasland.

SHIPPING Maritime transport is well provided in terms of infrastructure with deep sea ports both at Funchal and Porto Santo as well as the fully equipped port at Canical within the Industrial Free Zone.  Cargo vessels are available between Madeira and Lisbon, South Africa, Bremen, Hamburg, Antwerp, Felixstowe, Rotterdam, London, New York and New Bedford. Funchal´s harbour is about to be modernised, catering for the needs of the worlds best cruise liners. 

TIME

Madeira Island operates the same time as GMT