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Geography and Climate

  • Situated in Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is 1,000 km (620 miles) away from Lisbon and 600 km (372 miles) from Morocco.
  • Madeira archipelago is composed of Madeira Island (population of 255,000), Porto Santo Island (population 5,000) and two inhibited islands: Desertas Islands (ilhas Desertas) and Savage islands (ilhas Selvagens).
  • Madeira Island is the largest island of the group with an area of 741 km, measures 54 km by 23 km.
  • Its most famous sea cliff, the Cabo Girão, is the world's second highest. The highest point on the island is Pico Ruivo, at 1,862 meters (6,107 ft).
  • The forests on the northern slopes of Madeira Island, are specified a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
  • A product of volcanic eruptions, volcanic peaks are a major feature of the island.
  • Due to its geographical features, Madeira Island has a very mild climate, which can be named sub-tropical: Cool summers and warm winters. The average temperature in summer is 23º and in winter 17ºC. This mild climate makes Madeira an all-year destination.
  • The Island is influenced by the Gulf Stream, sea water temperature varies between 22°C during the summer and 18°C in the winter.