The Tourist Islands of Madeira
by Ilidio Lopes
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. |
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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.
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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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About the Author: For more
information about Madeira try visiting www.portugalturistic.com
where you will find information on a variety of subjects relating to the
region. |
