Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic and an autonomous region of Portugal. Its volcanic islands are known for steep landscapes, mild subtropical conditions, and distinctive wine.

Madeira Island: The largest and most populous island in the Madeira archipelago, with Funchal as its capital. It contains the regional capital and most of the archipelago’s population.
Discovery of Madeira: The Portuguese arrival and exploration of the Madeira archipelago in the early fifteenth century. It marks the start of Portuguese colonization and recorded island history.
Madeira wine production: The cultivation, fermentation, fortification, and aging practices used to make Madeira wine. Traditional production methods turn the island’s grapes into its signature fortified wine.
Madeira Regional Government: The executive authority responsible for self-government in Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira. It exercises regional powers under Madeira’s autonomous status.
Pico Ruivo: The highest peak on Madeira Island, rising to 1,862 metres above sea level. Its summit exemplifies the island’s rugged volcanic highlands.
Porto Santo: An inhabited island in the Madeira archipelago, known for its long sandy beach. It is Madeira’s other inhabited island and has a markedly different landscape.
João Gonçalves Zarco: A Portuguese navigator and military commander associated with the settlement of Madeira in the fifteenth century. He led an early settlement expedition and became a captain-donee of Madeira.
Laurisilva of Madeira: A large surviving area of subtropical laurel forest on Madeira, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The forest is a major conservation asset and a destination for nature tourism.
Madeira Legislative Assembly: The unicameral elected legislature of Portugal’s Autonomous Region of Madeira. It represents island voters and legislates on devolved regional matters.
Cabo Girão: A high sea cliff on Madeira Island’s southern coast, known for its glass-floored viewpoint. The cliff displays the dramatic coastal relief that draws visitors.

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