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About Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean that lies between 32°22.3′N, 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N, 17°16.65′W. It is one of the Autonomous regions of Portugal, with Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island being the only inhabited islands. Although it is part of the African Plate, some 650 km (400 mi) off coast Africa, it belongs politically and culturally to Europe, some 860 km (535 mi) from the mainland. Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean that lies between 32°22.3′N, 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N, 17°16.65′W. It is one of the Autonomous regions of Portugal, with Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island being the only inhabited islands. Although it is part of the African Plate, some 650 km (400 mi) off coast Africa, it belongs politically and culturally to Europe, some 860 km (535 mi) from the mainland.

Madeira, known originally to the Romans as the Purple Islands, was rediscovered, possibly accidentally, by Portuguese sailors and settled by Portugal as early as 1418 or as late as 1420. The archipelago is considered to be the first discovery of the exploratory period initiated by Henry the Navigator of Portugal. It is a popular year-round resort, noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, and embroidery artisans, as well as its New Year's Eve celebrations that feature a spectacular fireworks show, which is the largest in the world according to the Guinness World Records.

 
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Capital
(and largest city)
Funchal
32°39′N, 16°55′W
Official languages Portuguese
Government Autonomous region
- President Alberto João Jardim
Establishment
- Settled 1420
- Autonomy July 1, 1976
Area
- Total 828 km² (n/a)
320 sq mi
Population
- 2006 estimate 245,806
- Density 295/km² (n/a)
195/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2003 estimate
- Total €4.6 billion (n/a)
- Per capita - (n/a)
HDI (n/a) - (n/a) (n/a)
Currency Euro (€) (EUR)
Time zone WET
- Summer (DST) EST (UTC+1)
Internet TLD .pt
Calling code +351 spec. +351 291
1 Prior to 2002: Portuguese escudo
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