The Madeira archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean, in about 1000 km from Continental Portugal, is composed by the Madeira Island, by the Island of Porto Santo, known as the Golden Island, by the three Desert Islands (Grande, Bujio and Chão) and by the natural reserve of the Savage Islands (Pitão Grande and Pitão Pequeno).
Politically, Madeira, is characterized by being an autonomous region with own government, flag and hymn. Of volcanic origin, of the Tertiary period, the archipelago was formed in about 60 million years. Currently, the islands volcanic activity is extinguished, being that the highest point is Pico Ruivo, in Madeira, with 1862 meters, followed by Pico do Facho, in Porto Santo, with 516 meters.
It is estimated that the territory have been previously known by the Romans and by the Phoenicians, however, it was in 1418 that the official discovery of the archipelago was occurred, first with the Porto Santo by the navigators João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, and in the following year, in 1419, the Madeira Island, with João Gonçalves Zarco and Bartolomeu Perestrelo. The order of colonization of the territory was given then.
It is said that the Island and the Archipelago, have received the toponym of Madeira, due the dense forest that allowed the collection of wood for the ships of the Portuguese maritime expansion, during the period of the Portuguese Discoveries.
The archipelago, with its capital in the city of Funchal, is known for its good climate of temperatures, which seems to be spring during all the year, the mild sea water and the green vegetation, being the Madeira Island, called the "Pearl of Atlantic "or" the Garden of the Atlantic". On the island of Porto Santo, there is an arid landscape and peace of mind, to enjoy the beach.
All over the centuries, the archipelago constituted one of the biggest Portuguese touristic points during all the year. By his flowers and by is landscapes with abrupt mountains, green and flowery valleys, the panorama of sea and the coastal cliffs and by is beaches of golden sand of the island of Porto Santo.
In Madeira, there are no rivers, only riversides that are the Janela Riverside, which flows on the North coast, the Brava Riverside and the Socorridos Riverside, which flows into the South Coast.
On Madeira Island, it is planted the Cane Sugar, the Passion Fruit, the known Banana of Madeira, which remounts to the sixteenth century and the fig. The climate of the region is mild, with very mild temperatures and a moderate humidity that helps for the growth of the plants Orchids, Anthuriums and Estrelícia, which are exported to other countries.
Madeira is also known for its New Year fireworks, as well, by the Madeira Wine, recognized at world level, which began to be cultivated after the colonization of the Madeira island, when where occupied soils with the culture of wheat, vines and cane.
