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newsletter RegionThe Autonomous Region of Madeira is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, Southwest of mainland Portugal and almost 1,000 kms from Lisbon. Covering an area of 797 km2, it includes the islands of Madeira (728 km2) and Porto Santo (50 km2), together with the groups of the Desertas and Salvagen islands. In spite of already having featured on maps of the 14th century, the archipelago was discovered in 1419 by the Portuguese navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira. As the archipelago was uninhabited at these times, it was annexed to the Portugese Crown, which decreed its population. The Madeiran society consisted of noble landowners and the colonials who worked for them, bringing about at strong social hierarchy that would remain constant in the local history - a similar to the situation to that of Continental Portugal.  Situated on the route of the sailing vessels, the island was a focal passing point for the cape route in the XVl and XVll and target of attack for the pirates and the French, English and Dutch navel fleets.
Madeira was occupied by the English troupes during the Napoleonic wars. With the participation of Portugal in the First World War on the side of the allies, German submarines bombarded Funchal on two occasions. Nowadays, the island is visited by many tourists due to its close proximity to continental Europe, and represents a very pleasant holiday destination, with tantalising suggestions for all tastes – be you a nature lover or one who looks for the hustle and bustle of a city. Our visitors count on, among other local key factors, a temperate all year round climate, fabulous flora, an island virtually untouched by progress and civilisation and, above all, the kindness and hospitality of its inhabitants.  |