Madeira - Facts & Figures
Madeira Main Island
The main island of Madeira is also the biggest and has the largest population of the archipelago.
Situated roughly 591 miles from Lisbon, Madeira occupies an isolated spot in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. The island is a self-governed, autonomous region of Portugal.
Madeira Landscape
Madeira island measures 33 miles by 14 miles and is 460 square miles in area. The land surface area is mountainous and has four volcanic peaks higher than 5,900 feet.
The highest point is Pico Ruivo, which translated means Red Peak, reaches over 6,100 feet above sea level.
The remaining highest peaks are:
- Pico das Torres at 6,072 feet
- Pico do Areeiro at 5,964 feet
- Pico do Juncal at 5,905 feet
All peaks can be reached on foot. However, the path is strenuous and weather conditions may restrict access.
Around most of the island is a narrow coastal plain, but soon as you venture inland the terrain rises steeply.
The north of madeira is cooler and wetter than the south.
There are only two sand beaches, both of which are man-made with imported sand. They are located at Calheta and Machico.
Funchal is the capital city.
Porto Santo
Porto Santo, located some 23 miles to the northeast of Madeira, is the only other inhabited island in the archipelago. It measures just 7 miles by 3.5 miles broad at its widest point.
The island of Porto Santo is considerable flatter with just three significant peaks:
- Pico do Facho at 1,700 feet
- Pico do Castelo at 1,433 feet
- Pico de Ana Ferreira at 928 feet
In addition, the island is much drier than Madeira main island and has a 5.5 mile stretch of a golden sandy beach on its southern coast
Vila Baleira is the island's capital city.
Except for August, when you will experience an influx of tourists from Madeira, the island is tranquil and uncrowded.
Ilhas Desertas
Ilhas Desertas (literally meaning deserted islands) lie just 12.5 miles southeast from Funchal off Madeira's coast.
There are 3 islands, the largest being Deserta Granda which is a slither of volcanic rock 7.5 miles long and less than 1 mile wide.
Bugio and Chão Islet are the other two main outcrops, but together they cover an area of less than half of that covered by Deserta Granda.
All the islands are uninhabited and were declared a protected nature reserve in 1990. As such, no person is allowed to set foot upon them without a special permit that is normally reserved for those undertaking academic research.
Some tourist boat operators offer trips to the islands for dolphin and monk seal watching.
Portugal Madeira Map
Having difficulty finding a useful Madeira map?
From experience, we know that they are few and far between - there being no equivalent Ordinance Survey of the island.
The editor personally uses and recommends
This pocket-sized Madeira map is printed on a tough durable paper that will resist tearing along the folds and is ideal for putting in your backpack or in the hire car glove compartment for easy reference.
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