Island of Madeira
Island of Madeira
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About Madeira Island
About Madeira Island
In 1418, Portuguese explorers under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator discovered the Madeira Islands approximately 450 miles off the west coast of modern-day Morocco. Soon after, Portugal commenced the colonization of the uninhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo. The earliest settlers included mariners, merchants, missionaries, craftsmen, artisans, freemen, and convicts from Portugal. Slaves, captured in Morocco, Mauritania (south of Morocco), the Canary Islands, and the Guinea coast of West Africa worked the lands and crops of the coastal estates of the Madeiran nobility.
In 1418, Portuguese explorers under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator discovered the Madeira Islands approximately 450 miles off the west coast of modern-day Morocco. Soon after, Portugal commenced the colonization of the uninhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo. The earliest settlers included mariners, merchants, missionaries, craftsmen, artisans, freemen, and convicts from Portugal. Slaves, captured in Morocco, Mauritania (south of Morocco), the Canary Islands, and the Guinea coast of West Africa worked the lands and crops of the coastal estates of the Madeiran nobility.
Madeira is called the island of eternal spring. The crops that became very important for the island in economic terms, such as sugar cane. Sugar turned Funchal into a mandatory crossing point for European trade routes. In the seventeenth century a new crop emerged, boosting Madeira's economy once again: wine. See history of Madeira wine here
Madeira is called the island of eternal spring. The crops that became very important for the island in economic terms, such as sugar cane. Sugar turned Funchal into a mandatory crossing point for European trade routes. In the seventeenth century a new crop emerged, boosting Madeira's economy once again: wine. See history of Madeira wine here
Over time, Madeira took advantage of its potential, namely the tourism sector, and developed it. Nowadays, it plays an essential role in the regional economy, as the island is very popular among tourists from all over the world.
Over time, Madeira took advantage of its potential, namely the tourism sector, and developed it. Nowadays, it plays an essential role in the regional economy, as the island is very popular among tourists from all over the world.
For more information about the island of Madeira, please click here.
For more information about the island of Madeira, please click here.
Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar
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