Madeira Archipelago

Madeira (Madeira translates as wood) is an archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 500 miles southwest of mainland Portugal and 400 miles west of the African coast.
The archipelago consists of two inhabited islands, the main one Madeira and the smaller one Porto Santo, a group of deserted uninhabited islands Illas Desertas and other surrounding islets and cliffs. The autonomous region also includes the islands of Selvagens, 160 miles south-south-east of the main island closer to the Canary Islands.

The capital and largest city of the region is Funchal on the south shore of the main island.

Madeira was discovered by the Portuguese sailor Joao Goncalves Zarco around 1418-1420. The discovery of the island, initiated by Henry the Navigator, is recognized as one of the first discoveries of the Age of Geographical Discovery.

The island was amicably occupied by Great Britain during the Napoleonic Wars from 1807 to 1814, when it was returned to Portuguese possession.

The island is a popular year-round holiday destination, famous for its Madera wine, flowers, New Year celebrations with a remarkable fireworks display (the largest in the world according to the Guinness Book), and a mild climate (temperatures ranging from 16 °C to 25 °C).

On the main island of the archipelago it is possible to rent a bareboat or crew yacht for trips around the islands of the archipelago.