Region
Region
The Madeira Island known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic", is the main island of a Portuguese archipelago, that includes the islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, the Desertas and the Savage Islands. The island's capital is the city of Funchal, the main town center and main port.
Today, it is a popular year-round resort, being visited every year by about one million tourists, noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, landscapes and embroidery artisans, as well for its annual New Years celebrations that feature a spectacular fireworks show (considered the largest in the world according to the Guinness World Records). The main harbour in Funchal is the leading Portuguese port in cruise liner dockings, being an important stopover for commercial and trans-Atlantic passenger cruises between Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
The Madeira island is one of the largest in Macaronesia, reaching approximately 980 kms from Lisbon and 520 km from African coast. Of volcanic origin, its geographical position has all the characteristics of a subtropical island, with extensive exotic flora and rare and beautiful landscapes. The average altitude is 1300 m, Pico Ruivo with 1861 m is the highest point.
The "laurissilva" laurel forest, cover about 15,000 hectares of which 12,000 are natural reserve. In 1999 was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Madeira has been classified as a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate, but based on differences in sun exposure, humidity, and annual mean temperature there are clear variations between north and south facing regions, as well as between some islands. The islands are strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream, giving it mild year-round temperatures; the average annual temperature along the coastline is between 15 to 22 °C. Average annual sea temperatures are approximately from 18 °C in the winter to 23 °C during the summer.
Before the arrival of Portuguese settlers in the 15th century, the island was uninhabited. Today the island's population is approximately 247 000 habitants, mostly of Portuguese nationality. Funchal has about half of the islanders.
Today, it is a popular year-round resort, being visited every year by about one million tourists, noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, landscapes and embroidery artisans, as well for its annual New Years celebrations that feature a spectacular fireworks show (considered the largest in the world according to the Guinness World Records). The main harbour in Funchal is the leading Portuguese port in cruise liner dockings, being an important stopover for commercial and trans-Atlantic passenger cruises between Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
The Madeira island is one of the largest in Macaronesia, reaching approximately 980 kms from Lisbon and 520 km from African coast. Of volcanic origin, its geographical position has all the characteristics of a subtropical island, with extensive exotic flora and rare and beautiful landscapes. The average altitude is 1300 m, Pico Ruivo with 1861 m is the highest point.
The "laurissilva" laurel forest, cover about 15,000 hectares of which 12,000 are natural reserve. In 1999 was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Madeira has been classified as a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate, but based on differences in sun exposure, humidity, and annual mean temperature there are clear variations between north and south facing regions, as well as between some islands. The islands are strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream, giving it mild year-round temperatures; the average annual temperature along the coastline is between 15 to 22 °C. Average annual sea temperatures are approximately from 18 °C in the winter to 23 °C during the summer.
Before the arrival of Portuguese settlers in the 15th century, the island was uninhabited. Today the island's population is approximately 247 000 habitants, mostly of Portuguese nationality. Funchal has about half of the islanders.
Activities
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Golf
Madeira archipelago has currently three golf courses. Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra Golf - in Madeira and Porto Santo Golf. -
Nature Tourism
One of the tourist attractions of the archipelago is its varied and luxuriant vegetation - "Laurissilva" laurel forest - World Natural Heritage. -
Walks
One of the most fascinating features of Madeira is the vast network of open-air water canals that cover the island bringing water from the mountains to the plantations below. Known as levadas, these irrigation channels pass through breathtaking scenery, waterfalls and hidden parts of the island.
Events
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Madeira Islands Golf Open 2011
19th to 22nd May 2011 -
Atlantic Festival 2011
From 04th to 25th June 2011 -
Madeira Wine Rally 2011
4th to 06th August 2011
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