en.infoglobe.cz » Portugal –Madeira Island I

Portugal –Madeira Island I

Published: 28.2.2016
It is an archipelago and also an island which is located in the Macaronesia region. Only two islands are inhabited as the whole archipelago is a natural reserve. These islands are Madeira and Porto Santo.

Ilhas Selvagens and Desartas are some of the uninhabited islands. The archipelago is of volcanic origin. It is not difficult to deduce how it was formed. Every island is a summit of extinct volcanoes. We can see them only partially. Other four kilometers of their height is under the waters of the Atlantic. Volcanic activity formed many hills on the islands. Mountains are very important as water which supplies the island collects here.

Madeira, mountains

Madeira is referred to as a pearl or the garden of the Atlantic. Also, history of volcanic activity is the reason why it is reffered to also as the daughet of fire. Travel agencies depict Madeira as the island of eternal spring. The difference between summer and winter temperatures is moderate. In the summer the temperature is on average 28 °C. 18 °C in winter. The air is very humid here, therefore, you can plant here almost everything. Harvests are usually two time a year onMadeira. Flowers always blossom. The offer of exotic fruits at local markets is astonishing. Soil is very fertile here. People grow vegetables, fruits, wine, bananas, cabbage… One of the first plants to be grown here was crops other plants were brought here from all around the world.

Madeira, market Madeira, market

Another crop which turned Portugal into one of the richest countries is what used to be called white gold. Many merchants travelled to the island from all parts of the continent. They offered precious goods, paintings, art items made of expensive metals. All of this for sugar cane. This is the reason why many precious collections are to be found at museum in Funchal.

Madeira, port of Funchal

Christopher Columbus came here to trade sugar cane, first time in 1474. But he didn’t have here good enough network of contacts. Therefore, the trade didn’t do well. Fiver years later, however, he returned. The reason was difference. He met a girl who was a daughter of one of Madeira’s discoverers. Columbus intended to marry her and the wedding gift given by his father-in-law were maps. These then had a large impact on his and others life. When he had done math regarding water flux and slit he realized there could be another continent to the west. Eventually, in 1492 he discovered a land. But he though it was India. Only Amerigo Vespucci realized that he might stand on a new continent.

Madeira, park Santa Catarina Madeira, Christopher Columbus

The sculpture of Christopher Columbus is in Funchal above the port in the park of Santa Catarina. From there is a beautiful view of the bay. Flowers’ smell helps you to relax as well as swans swimming in the lake. An important structure there is local church. Its name is the same as of the park. This church is the oldest on the island.

Madeira, Santa Catarina park Madeira, church of Santa Catarina

The Christopher Columbus museum – the house where he lived and collections of his personal items are all to be found on Porto Santo island, only 50 kilometers away from Madeira.

Madeira

GPS: (Funchal) 32°39'56.9"N 16°55'27.9"W

Text and photos: Monika Babická

Madeira



Discussion at the article (0)


Related Articles

Portugal, Porto – (Not Just) the Center of Wine – VIDEO
Published: 19.9.2022
Everybody knows port wine. Perhaps you also link Porto the a high steel bridge and its majestic arch crossing the Douro river. Perhaps you would think of wooden boats carrying wine barrels from the inland wineyards. Porto is, however, a diverse city. There is great history, culture, cuisine, and beaches along the Atlantic coast. Every year, an increasing number of visitors visit this city.

Portugal - The Westernmost Country of European Continent – VIDEO
Published: 15.8.2022
Wine, coffee, cliffs, waves. The western-most country of continental Europe is of the sort everybody likes. It belongs to the top 20 most visited countries in the world. There are beautiful beaches including the best surf beaches of all Europe. Nature in the inland is magnificent as wel. Culture is rich and cities are lively and busy. Let's visit Portugal!

Portugal – Island of Madeira IX
Published: 5.9.2016
Balcoes lookout is situated at 86é meters above sea level. A comfortable and wide enough road leads there from the trout farm in Riberio Frio. The name fits. It is a true natural balcony giving you the view of what you would consider a piece of paradise.

Portugal, Azores: A New Zealand in Europe
Published: 10.11.2018
Isle of the Eternal Spring? In the middle of the Atlantic? This is the Azores archipelago. Nine notable volcanic islands protruding into the Atlantic Ocean. Towards the west is the island of Flores and the island of Corvo, in the middle of the islands of Graciosa, Terceira, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial and east of Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and Formigas. All islands except Santa Maria are volcanic. It is on three lithospheric plates: Eurasian, African and North American.

Canaria Islands, Tenerife – European Pearl in the Ocean
Published: 4.7.2022
If you are thinking about this year's holiday, be sure not to forget the Canary Islands in your choice. Although geographically a part of the African continent, it belongs to Spain. Tenerife is their largest island and attracts not only the tranquil atmosphere, but also the more demanding tourists for its unique beauty of volcanic nature.

Portugal, Algarve – Region of Great Beaches, Cliffs, Lighthouses, and Caves – VIDEO
Published: 22.8.2022
Portugal's southernmost region is one of the most attractive destinations in Europe. It offers beautiful beaches, majestic cliffs, picturesque towns and fresh fish and great wine. Let's go there.

Portugal, Carvoeiro – Hidden Treasure of the Algarve Coast – VIDEO
Published: 11.2.2020
Not far from Portimão on the south coast of Portugal lies the small town of Carvoeiro. At the same time, it offers beautiful scenery and small beaches protected by majestic cliffs, where you can enjoy some peace and privacy even in the greatest season.

Portugal, Ferragudo – Picturesque Fishermen Village in Algarve – VIDEO
Published: 18.2.2020
Bright white plaster, color-framed windows and doors, narrow, cobbled streets, screaming seagulls and beautiful atmosphere. Portuguese fishing villages are among my favorites and Ferragudo is one of the most famous. Let's have a look there together.

Portugal: Faro – Gateway to Algarve – VIDEO
Published: 25.2.2020
If you are going to visit the Algarve in southern Portugal, you will probably be at least passing through Faro. For his sights alone, it would be a shame not to stop for a while.

Portugal: Cabo de São Vicente Lighthouse – VIDEO
Published: 10.3.2020
There is another lighthouse near Sagres. Its current appearance dates back to 1908 and its optical devices are among the 10 largest in the world. The lighthouse can be reached around beautiful cliffs in probably Portugal's most scenic area.

Portugal: Lagos – The Town of Amazing Beaches and Cliffs – VIDEO
Published: 17.3.2020
We have already presented the Algarve region in our series in great detail. We end it with the city of Lagos, which is one of the most popular tourist and serves as a perfect base for exploring. Thanks to the surfers, it also maintained a very relaxing atmosphere.

Portugal – Madeira Island VIII
Published: 29.8.2016
We leave Funchal for Santana, a town on the northeastern seaboard. There are interesting places along the way. We leave the direct rote to see such places as the Madeira’s highest peaks, a stone igloo, and the Faial bay. In case you have not yet visited the cave and volcanic center of Grutas Sao Vicente it is easy to reach along the northern seaboard starting in Santana. As we told you, Sao Vicente is a borderline between the western and eastern parts of the island

Portugal, Coimbra – The University Heart of Iberia – VIDEO
Published: 12.9.2022
Coimbra, a student town of 150 thousand is situated somewhere in the middle between Porto and Lisbon. There is one of the oldest unviersities in Europe sitting on the hill above the Mondego river. The university, which is the oldest in Portual, was founded in 1290 – 60 years before the famous Charles University in Prague was founded. Tens of thousands of students at this university make this town great including the nightlife there.

Portugal, Fátima: Suffer A Miracle Will Come To You - VIDEO
Published: 25.9.2012
Fátima - Mecca of all Catholics, and one of the most visited pilgrimage sites around the world. It is located in central Portugal, about 120 km from Lisbon. There is a place, where the Virgin Mary appeared to three children, and prophesied many later events.

Portugal – Madeira IV
Published: 23.5.2016
A 5 thousand meters high massif of lava was created after huge explosion in the Atlantic. Today we can see only a glimpse of it and this glimpse is Madeira. The island is self-reliant. There are couple of power plants (water, wind), fertile soil and sea rich on fish.

Portugal – Madeira Island V
Published: 30.5.2016
Apart from famous Madeira wine (Japan is its largest importer), poncho (a liquor with lemon flavor) is another traditional beverage. You can replace lemon juice with orange or maracuja juice. It is served cold for refreshments. Or it is served also warm as prevention from getting cold. The wine festival takes place end August beginning September.

Portugal – Madeira Island VI
Published: 6.6.2016
Another stop to the west of the island is Porto Moniz. From Sao Vincente you travel through tunnels. Make a stop at Ribeira da Janela town. It is a place of dark volcanic rock. The lovers’ rock rises from the sea there.

Portugal – Madeira Island VII
Published: 4.7.2016
Today, we take a look at the eastern part of the island in the direction from Funchal to the easternmost part where are droughts. It seems as if it was not Madeira there. The landscape is vastly different and there grows almost no vegetation at all. It is only after rains when it gets bit of green there. No levada leads to this area. You can find them only in the mountains. The area is inhabited, however. Therefore, some vegetation is actually there.

Portugal, Lisboa – The Oldest City in Western Europe – VIDEO
Published: 29.8.2022
Lisboa is righteously one of the most visited cities in Europe. Yellow trams, hills, cable cars... You can easily get lost in its colorful streets for hours. Washed laundry waves in the wind, you can drink coffee with locals at one of many great cafes and taste local sweet pastry. You can also just set off to the grandiose Ponte 25 de Abril, a red bridge which looks like Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Portugal, Sintra – A Romantic City Near Lisbon – VIDEO
Published: 5.9.2022
Just 45 minutes by train from the center of Lisbon there is the city of Sintra. It became famous for its castle, palaces, and many beautiful buildings. Moreover, there is a beautiful nature park Sintra-Cascais, unusual mountains which will lure you to make a trip. Let’s see Sintra together.

Portugal –Madeira Island II
Published: 6.3.2016
It is an island in the Atlantic where you can grow almost anything thanks to humidity, high temperature and fertile soil. So where do you get water that is good for irrigation and how it works?

Portugal –Madeira lll
Published: 16.5.2016
Travel to Madeira by plane only. There is probably no other way to travel almost 1000 kilometers from Portugal and 600 kilometers from North Africa. Moreover, sailing on a ship might not be comfortable for everybody.


Related Photogallery

Canary Islands – Volcanic Paradise
About 100 kilometers northwest of the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands lie in Atlantic waters....

Portugal – Vacation at the Sea and Sightseeing
Porto wine, surfers, Christiano Ronaldo, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, night l...

Portugal, Madeira Island – Funchal: Tropical Garden
Jardim Tropical Monte Palace is situated at the entrance of the cable car. The cable car goes fro...

Portugal, Madeira Island – Funchal: Botanical Garden
Jardim botanico da Madeira covers the hills looming about the capital of Funchal. The gardens are...

Portugal, Oteiro: Visiting Middle-Ages
On the north of Portugal not far away from Montalegre town, you can find the most out-of-the-way ...

Portugal: Lisbon
Small walk through Lisbon... Photo: Maxim Kucer, Jakub Štantejský


Related Videos

Portugal, Lagos – The City of Beautiful Beaches and Beautiful Cliffs
You already know the Algarve region from our videos. Today you will see us in Lagos, which thanks...

Portugal: Cabo de São Vicente Lighthouse
The current appearance of the lighthouse dates from 1908 and its optical equipment is among the 1...

Portugal: Fortress, Lighthouse, and Huge Waves in Sagres
At the westernmost tip of southern Portugal we find a national park that protects the best preser...

Portugal, Faro – Gateway to Algrave Region
You can reach Faro by train from Lisbon, but also by long-distance buses from the south of Spain....

Portugal, Ferragudo – Picturesque Fisherman's Village of Algarve
Ferragudo is one of the most famous Portuguese fishing villages. In high season you can get here ...

Portugal, Carvoeiro – The Hidden Treasure of Algarve
Even in the biggest season you will enjoy a little peace and privacy in the small town of Carvoei...

Portugal, Algarve – Region of Great Beaches, Cliffs, Lighthouses, and Caves
Portugal's southernmost region offers beautiful beaches, majestic cliffs, charming towns, sights ...

Portugal, Porto – (Not Just) Wine Center of Portugal
Port wine is wide-known. Can you think of something other when Porto comes in mind? No? It doesn'...

Portugal, Coimbra – The University Heart of Iberia
Portugal city of Coimbra is situated half way between Porto and  Lisbon. One of the oldest univer...

Portugal, Sintra – A Romantic Town
Portugal is home to many UNESCO grade landmarks. Sintra city is one of them. The city is only 45 ...

Portugal, Lisbon – the Oldest City in Western Europe
Hills, yellow trams, cable cars, and hills- this all describes one of the most visited cities in ...

Portugal – The Westernmost Outpost of the European Continent
Portugal is the westernmost country of the European continent and it is one of the 20 most popula...

Portugal, Coimbra - the oldest university town
Coimbra lies halfway between Lisbon and Porto, in Braga region, on river Mondego. Coimbra is home...

Place

Czech republic

Partners:

We were awarded the certificate even thanks to you!

Dôveryhodná firma 2017

 

Guide:

Important Information:

Information and warnings on travelling abroad is to be found HERE.

Mobile application:

aplikácia Infoglobe

stiahnuť zadarmo pre Androidstiahnuť zadarmo pre iPhone

 

 

Today:friday 29. 3. 2024
Holiday:Taťána
Today:
friday 29.3.
5 °C
Tomorrow:
saturday 30.3.
11 °C

TIP: INFOGLOBE app is available for your device, download HERE.

X

TIP: INFOGLOBE app is available for your device, download HERE.

X