Madeira is a Portuguese possession situated in the Atlantic, some 360 miles off the African coast.
Madeira and neighbouring Porto Santo make up an archipelago of islands that are one of the most remote corners of the European Union. Madeira and Porto Santo are the only two inhabited islands in the archipelago, which also comprises the Desertas Islands and the Savage Islands.
Madeira, an island of volcanic origin, was known to the Romans, but its exact location was lost for hundreds of years until Portuguese sailors stumbled across the island in the early 15th Century.
The islands are situated between 32°22.3′N 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N 17°16.65′W, which is about 360 miles off the African coast and 480 miles from the nearest of the Azores, Santa Maria.
Madeira is approximately 30 miles long by 13 miles wide. During the era of slavery, Madeira was an important transit point for the slave trade.
Madeira and neighbouring Porto Santo make up an archipelago of islands that are one of the most remote corners of the European Union. Madeira and Porto Santo are the only two inhabited islands in the archipelago, which also comprises the Desertas Islands and the Savage Islands.
Madeira, an island of volcanic origin, was known to the Romans, but its exact location was lost for hundreds of years until Portuguese sailors stumbled across the island in the early 15th Century.
The islands are situated between 32°22.3′N 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N 17°16.65′W, which is about 360 miles off the African coast and 480 miles from the nearest of the Azores, Santa Maria.
Madeira is approximately 30 miles long by 13 miles wide. During the era of slavery, Madeira was an important transit point for the slave trade.
