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 Madeira
is an archipelago of Portugal in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and it offers
one of the most beautiful landscapes of the country. As well as Azores,
the archipelago is an autonomous region, with his own administration located
in Funchal.
The
Funchal Municipality has an area of 71,1 km2 and it includes 10 civil parishes:
Imaculado Coração de Maria, Monte, Santo António,
São Gonçalo, Santa Luzia, São Martinho, Santa Maria
Maior, São Pedro, São Roque, Sé.
The
archipelago is formed by two inhabited islands (Madeira and Porto Santo),
and by two groups of small uninhabited islands (Desertas and Selvagens).
It has 10 municipalities: Calheta, Câmara de Lobos, Funchal, Machico,
Ponta do Sol, Porto Moniz, Porto Santo, Ribeira Brava, Santana, Santa Cruz
and São Vicente.
The
islands are volcanic. The highest peaks of the region are, in Madeira Island,
the Pico Ruivo da Santana (1861 m), and in Porto Santo, the Pico do Facho
(517m). Due to their volcanic origin all the islands have deep ravines
and rugged mountains. In the Madeira Island the beaches has no sand. The
narrow coastlines are made by a black rugged material.
The
growing rate of the population is high, and the socio-economic structure
of the archipelago doesn't allow the use of all the workmanship of the
region. For this reason there's a lot of migration to the mainland and
foreign countries. In the same way the rural population, seeking for better
socio-economic conditions, leave the countryside and go to Funchal.
Despite
the irregular terrain, part of the soil is cultivated at the coast of enormous
effort of the population. The cultivated area is about 30% of the surface
of the main island (Madeira). This was achieved with the construction of
terraces and irrigation channels. From the remaining surface 40% is covered
with vegetation.
The
most important products from the agricultural production, in the economy
of Madeira are sugar cane, banana productions, cereals and wine. The wine
is known all over the world. The cattle creation is an important part of
the economy of the small farmers. The fishing is another activity that
can be found in different locations across the coastline.
For
the tourists visiting Madeira, you can find there magnificent scenery of
beauty. There are big mountains, green and flowery valleys, the sight of
the sea and the cliffs along the coastline, the white sand beaches in Porto
Santo. The tourism is one of the main economic activity of the islands.
The
archipelago has a pleasant climate all year round, the air temperature
rarely falling below 16°C in winter or rising above 22°C in summer.
Due to the influence of the Gulf Stream the water temperature varies between
17° and 21°C. The prevailing winds are north-easterly and all the
ports and anchorages are sheltered from this direction. Only the more variable
winds of winter can cause problems, otherwise it can be visited all year
round.
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