Azorea and Madeira

Featured Island:

Azores and Madeira

Country:

Portugal

Island Capitals:

Funchal

Population:

245,806

Major Airports:

Madeira International Airport

Major Airlines:

TAP Air Portugal
Easyjet
Sata International
British Airways
Thomsonfly

Description:

Azores and Madeira are Portuguese Colonies situated in the Atlantic Ocean almost 800 kilometers away for the Portuguese mainland. The closest land masses would be Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands at about 370 kilometers, followed by the west coast of Africa at around 580 kilometers.

The geography of the islands is very mixed with its mountainous backbone with peaks in excess of 1,220 meters and contrasting deep ravines, rainforest to the south of the island and the 9 kilometer beach of Porto Santo.

Azores and Madeira will experience an oceanic subtropical climate influenced by the Gulf Stream. Summers are long, hot and relatively dry while winters are warm, short and very rainy.

These islands were discovered by the Portuguese in 1419 by Joao Goncalves Zarco, Tristao Vaz Teixeira and Bartolomeu Perestrelo when their vessel was driven by a storm to the island they named Porto Santo, this translates to Holy Harbors. The following year an expedition was sent to populate the island, in which the captains took possession of the islands on behalf of the Portuguese crown.

A large part of the development of these islands relied on agriculture. Attempts were made for sugar farms but the most popular produce has been its wine. During the 17th and 18th centuries the most popular luxury beverage in the colonial western hemisphere was Madeira's wine.

More recently tourism has become a major part of the development of these isles. Azores and Madeira are only a short trip from Europe. However here you can combine holidays on the beach, in the mountains or in the city.

Highlights

Laurisilva of Madeira
Scuba and snorkeling
Whale watching on Marina
Sao Vicente Caves
Jardim do Monte Palace and Jardim Orquidea

Landmarks / To Dos:

The Laurisilva of Madeira is an amazing example of what was once an outstanding widespread laurel forest. It is believed to be one of the largest surviving areas of Laurel Forest and has now become world heritage listed in order to preserve it and ensure it's not lost for good.

The volcanic origin of these islands has led to the creation of the Sao Vicente Caves. These caves consist of a series of lava tubes which are a result of an eruption over 400 thousand years ago.

The Island of Marina is an amazing place to see some of the local traditions and cultures. One of the most popular activities is the whale watching as it can be done from pretty much any coastline on the island.

There are also tropical gardens at both Jardim do Monte Palace and Jardim Orquidea. Here you will see thousands of tropical species including many native to the islands of Azores and Madeira.