Although part of the European Community, you might be surprised to find Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean, just 500 km from the coast of Africa.
It is a small, mountainous island, just 57 km by 22 km, and is relatively undeveloped. It has the same time zone as the United Kingdom, and many Madeirans speak some English as well as their native Portuguese.
The island was first visited by the Portuguese in 1420, and sugar cane was introduced in 1425. Madeira is the Portuguese word for wood, as the island was covered in trees when it was first discovered. It has a natural water source and is very green all year round. In Spring the island is covered in a sea of flowers - that’s why it is known as the “flower island of Europe“.
Funchal originally became a town in 1452. Two years later it became a seat of the municipality and in 1493 the Cathedral began to be built. On 21 August 1508, Funchal became a city. It is now the most populated area of Madeira, with approximately 120,000 inhabitants, out of a total population of around 255,000.
Madeira is a very traditional island in many ways, with people still working the land by hand. Due to the mountainous terrain, the fields are small and steeply terraced, so it is impossible to use heavy farming machinery. At home, many families still grow their own fruit and vegetables and keep a pig and chickens, so are virtually self sufficient.
Madeira has a very mild and pleasant climate, averaging 19’C in Summer and 26’C in Winter (see temperature table below).
Many people are surprised to learn that Madeirans speak Portuguese. The island is part of Portugal, so to learn a little of the language before your trip, click here to listen to Radio Madeira.
Here are a few basic words and phrases to get you started:
Bom dia = Good morning
Boa tarde = Good afternoon
Boa Noite = Good evening OR Good night
Olá = Hello OR Hi
Sim = Yes
Não = No
Se faz favor, OR por favor = Please
Sim, por favor = Yes, please
Obrigado/Obrigada = Thanks OR thank you (said by a man/woman)
Não Obrigado/Obrigada = No thanks OR No thank you
Muito prazer = How do you do?
Como está? = How are you?
Fala Inglês? = Do you speak English?
Quanto é? = How much is it?
Saúde! = Cheers!
The Climate Table from Madeira
Madeira, Blumeninsel, Lorbeerbäumen, Frühling, Holz, Portugiesisch,