Location
An island in the Atlantic Ocean; 1 000 km from mainland Portugal
Population
253 945 (2019)
Conditional reduction of currency
EUR
Climate, average max and min t°
Subtropical climate; avg. maximum temperature (July) +23°; avg. minimum temperature (January) +15°
Time difference from Moscow
- 2 hours
State language
Portuguese
History
Madeira began to appear on the maps since 1339. Officially, it was discovered in 1419 by two captains under service to Prince Henry the Navigator, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira. Soon first settlers inhabited the island, then the archipelago was promulgated the part of Porugal. The British occupied Madeira as a result of the Napoleonic Wars, a consented occupation starting in 1807 and concluding in 1814 when the island was returned to Portugal.
Since 19th century the island has become famous as a resort area.
On 1 July 1976, following the democratic revolution of 1974, Portugal granted political autonomy to Madeira, celebrated on Madeira Day. The region now has its own government and legislative assembly.
Government type
Autonomous region of Portugal
Executive branch
President and Regional Government
Legislative branch
Regional Parliament
Judicial branch
A part of Portuguese judicial branch: Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the Supreme Administrative Court, and lower courts
GDP per capita rank
47 (2020)
Corruption perceptions index rank
62 (2021)
