Eternal Spring in the Atlantic Ocean - Madeira

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean composed of 4 islands, having the capital in Funchal. It is a beautiful and popular touristic destination due to the warm climate, the terraced architecture, the numerous plant species, cuisine, and wine. Here is a collection of facts to get to know the island better.

Name
The name Funchal comes from the Portuguese funcha which means fennel which can be found in large amounts growing on the island. The plant was heavily exported.
The name of the island, Madeira, means wood and was given when colonized in 1420. The first people to live on the island were families from Algarve and prisoners.

Agriculture
The dense forests that populate the island were burned to create agricultural areas which were first cultivated with wheat, followed by sugarcanes. The most famous cultures are the wineyards which lead to the very famous Madeira wine. Bananas are also a profitable source of income due to exports.

Climate
The climate on the island is frequently referred to as an eternal Spring.

Location
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The Madeira island is located in the Atlantic ocean and surprisingly is closer to Morocco than Portugal.

Botanical garden
The Madeira Botanical Garden features more than 2000 plant species and a collection of parrots. The park has an attractive design made by trimmed trees and bushes. Due to the terraced architecture of the island that is found also in the design of the Botanical Garden, beautiful landscapes with the entire island can be viewed from here.

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