“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” — John Donne
=========================================================================(on a Portuguese archipelago of volcanic origin in the North Atlantic Ocean) Beezy Madeira is an eponymous island in the Madeira Islands. The capital city of Funchal was settled in the 15th century and is a colorful collection of gardens, religious sites, and tourist attractions.
+ Portugal’s most enchanting island is a place that keeps all its subtropical holiday promises. Pearl of the Atlantic, island of eternal spring…Madeira well deserves its fanciful nicknames and the affection visitors and locals alike feel for this volcanic island.
+ Should you be looking for a subtropical paradise with stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Madeira Island may be the perfect destination for you. This island offers a variety of attractions, from lush forests and volcanic peaks to charming towns and sandy beaches. You can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laurisilva, the largest surviving laurel forest in the world, or admire the colorful flowers and exotic fruits at the art deco Mercado dos Lavradores. You can also visit the Quinta das Cruzes, a historic manor house with a museum and a chapel, or stroll along the Old Zone, a revitalized area with street art and traditional restaurants. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or culture, Madeira Island has something for virtually everyone.
+ The Madeira Islands are comprised of two inhabited islands, Madeira and Porto Santo, and two uninhabited groups, the Desertas and the Selvagens. . Administratively, they form the autonomous region of Madeira. The regional capital, Funchal, (shown here) is located on Madeira Island,
+ Madeira Island, the largest of the group, has a coastline of about 90 miles (144 km), and rises in the center to Ruivo Peak (6,106 feet [1,861 meters] above sea level). The greater part of the interior above 3,000 feet (900 metres) is uninhabited and uncultivated; communities of scattered huts are usually built either at the mouths of ravines or upon slopes that descend from the mountains to the coast.
+ Porto Santo Island is about 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Madeira. Its main town, Vila de Porto Santo, is locally called the Vila. At each end of the island are hills, of which Facho Peak, the highest, reaches 1,696 feet (515 meters).
+ The Desertas lie about 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Madeira and consist of three islets: Chão, Bugio, and Deserta Grande, along with the Prego do Mor off the north end of Chão Island. . The Selvagens, or Salvage Islands, are three uninhabited rocks located 156 miles (251 km) south of Madeira, between the latter and the Canary Islands. The largest has a circumference of about 3 miles (5 km).
+ Agriculture has long been the dominant activity of Madeira and Porto Santo islands.Banana plantations and vineyards now predominate. (By the early 21st century, tourism had made major inroads.)
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