All year temperate climate, breathtaking scenery , lower house prices,
lower cost of living, gentler pace of life, a sense of community, low crime rate ,
which makes this not only an idyllic haven for a vacation but a blissful retreat to retire or have that second home.
Why not look at Madeira, an investment that you and your family can enjoy
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Climate change won’t be the ‘death’ of the Algarve, “but as a destination it will start to thin out and causeother regions to fatten up”, like Northern Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.....read more
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2 New Golf Courses for Madeira will increase property values........read more
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Madeira ferry to continue after summer.......read more
In 1419, under the orders of the Glorious Henry "The Navigator" Madeira was discovered by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira . Portugal had a constant lack of cereals so they wanted to provide for it and also be supportive to the maritime expansion of Portugal .
Thus, since the 15th century, Madeira has played an important role in the great Portuguese Discoveries. It became famous for the rich trade routes between Funchal and the entire Atlantic World.
It was in Madeira and Porto Santo that the merchant Cristovão Colombo (Christopher Columbus) increased his knowledge of the art of navigation and planned his famous voyage to America .
In 1425, after the division of the Archipelago into captaincies of Funchal, Machico and Porto Santo began an organised settlement. During some decades, cereal production was a factor of richness and development. Madeira had about 150 big farms that produced more than 3.000 m³ of wheat most of which was exported to the Mainland and to the Portuguese trading post of the Saccharine and Guinea Littoral.
In 1497 the island's population had reached 5,000 and Madeira was formally annexed into the Kingdom of Portugal . Funchal was declared the islands' capital (elevated to the rank of a city in 1508).
Wine and sugarcane (1425) were introduced, Madeira being where the world's first sugarcane plantation was established. The sugar industry made the islands prosperous, a prosperity which lasted until the Portuguese introduced sugarcane plantations to Sao Tome and Brazil - in both cases utilizing Madeiran experience and manpower (emigration). Out shadowed by Brazilian sugar exports, the Madeiran economy declined.
The Madeira Diogo Teives invented the first mechanical sugar mill moved by water. This invention led to a great increase in production which in 1506 reached 3.500 tonnes . Madeira had its greatest economical and cultural development during this period and became known all over the civilised World. In 1516 Funchal was declared the seat of a bishop. In 1640, Madeira had c.30 ,000 inhabitants.
In 1580 Portugal and Madeira was under the domain of Castille . However, in 1640 independence was restored followed by the marriage of our Infant D. Catarina de Bragança with Charles II of England . It was then granted several contracts with British people who favoured the exportation of Madeira Wine to England , Occidental India and British colonies in America . Since the last decade of the 17th century Madeira had an increased period of the economy and culture, its excellent wine responsible for the fame of the Island all over the world.
Quickly the production achieved 45.000 wine barrels, from which annually were exported some 30.000. This prosperity called vineyard cycle had its reflections on the arts and architecture.
In 1766, Madeira gained the right to mint coins. The temporary abolishment of slavery, ordered by Portugal 's strongman Marquis de Pombal in 1775, caused difficulties for the Madeiran plantation economy.
In the 1850's embroidery was introduced as an industry which soon added to the islands' revenues. The first tourists visited the island and Madeira wine continued to enjoy a high reputation.
According to a census of 1891, Madeira had 132,223 inhabitants. Around the turn of the century, the banana was introduced as an additional crop. In 1901, Madeira was granted a limited degree of autonomy. In 1926, Portugal was turned into a corporate state similar to that of Italy . The strongman was Antonio Salazar.
In World War II , Portugal remained neutral. The dictatorship in Portugal continued until after Salazar's death; only in 1974 was it overthrown by the military coup.
The 1974 coup brought Portugal democratization; its colonies were quickly released into independence. The Madeira Islands Portuguese since 1420, remained with Portugal and were granted far-reaching political autonomy.
In addition to the Portuguese national flag, Madeira has its own regional flag. The blue part symbolizes the sea surrounding the island and the yellow represents the abundance from the luxuriance. The red and white cross in the middle is identical to the one on the flag of Prince Henry's ships
Portugal 's entry into the EEC was a major benefit for Madeira 's economy. In recent years the tourism industry has expanded becoming the islands' prime source of revenue. Nowadays, with both the airport and port expansion and road/tunnel construction connecting all regions, industrial tourism developed. Madeira is known all over the world by the diversity of its splendid beauty and climate and above all by the excellent quality of tourist services and kindness of its population.
Madeira has an all year round mild climate where temperatures rarely go bellow 16°C, here plants and flowers thrive, most of these are endemic to the island and it's Laurissilva forest, a world heritage.
The summit of the highest volcanic mountain peek ' Pico Ruivo ' which rises to an altitude of 1.861m (6,105 ft) above sea level. Cabo Girão , is one of the world's highest ocean cliffs 589m (1,933 ft) above sea level.
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In 1419, under the orders of the Glorious Henry "The Navigator" Madeira was discovered by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira . Portugal had a constant lack of cereals so they wanted to provide for it and also be supportive to the maritime expansion of Portugal . 
In 1580 Portugal and Madeira was under the domain of Castille . However, in 1640 independence was restored followed by the marriage of our Infant D. Catarina de Bragança with Charles II of England . It was then granted several contracts with British people who favoured the exportation of Madeira Wine to England , Occidental India and British colonies in America . Since the last decade of the 17th century Madeira had an increased period of the economy and culture, its excellent wine responsible for the fame of the Island all over the world. 
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