P290 - Portugal - Funchal in Madeira

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the mid Atlantic Ocean that lies between 32°22.3′N 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N 17°16.65′W. It is one of the Autonomous regions of Portugal, with Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island being the only inhabited islands. Madeira is an archipelago with volcanic origins from a Hot Spot, so is not geographically part of a specific continent, but Madeira belongs and has belonged ethnically, culturally, economically and politically to Europe for 600 years despite being closer to Africa. Madeira is part of Portugal, so it is part of the European Union, as an Outermost Region.

Madeira was rediscovered by Portuguese sailors some time between 1418 and 1420. The archipelago is considered to be the first discovery of the exploratory period initiated by Henry the Navigator of Portugal. It is a popular year-round resort, noted for its Madeira wine, flowers, and embroidery artisans, as well as its New Year's Eve celebrations that feature a spectacular fireworks show, which is the largest in the world according to the Guinness World Records. Its harbour – Funchal – is important due to its commercial and passenger traffic and for being a major stopover for cruisers en route from Europe to the Caribbean.

Funchal, is the chief city of Madeira Island and is the capital and largest city of the Madeira Autonomous Region, Portugal. With its neighbouring boroughs (municipalities) of Camara de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Machico and Ribeira Brava it has over 150,000 inhabitants. It is the most populous Portuguese city outside mainland Portugal. The Funchal conurbation includes the cities of Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Caniço and Santa Cruz, all on the south side of Madeira. Funchal has a unique location on the island: a natural "amphitheatre" surrounds the city, with gentle slopes beginning at the harbour and rising almost 1200 metres. This provides a natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers. Funchal is a cosmopolitan and very panoramic city with several parks. There are many hotels, including deluxe properties. Funchal has been Madeira's capital for more than five centuries, and is said to have been so named because of the abundance of fennel growing there.

馬德拉（葡萄牙语：Madeira）是非洲西海岸外，北大西洋上一个属于葡萄牙的群岛和该群岛的主岛的名字。葡萄牙语中“Madeira”是木头的意思。这个群岛位于里斯本西南约1000千米，离摩洛哥的海岸线约600千米。它由馬德拉岛、桑塔岛和两个无人居住的小岛群（今天自然保护区）组成。馬德拉也是葡萄牙的一个自主省的名字，这个自主省的范围与这个群岛相同。

丰沙尔（Funchal），是葡萄牙属地马德拉群岛的首府和最大城市，城区面积75.7平方公里，人口约10万人。该城建于1421年，曾为葡萄牙和美洲之间的重要的贸易转运站，其出产的蔗糖和马德拉酒闻名于世。

馬德拉是欧洲的一个比较高级的旅游目标。出于传统许多英国人到馬德拉旅游，他们主要聚集在丰沙尔。

馬德拉尤其是一个徒步旅行的好地方，沿着水道有用来修理和维护这些水道的道路，今天许多旅游者使用这些道路来徒步旅行。不过有些地方相当险，旅行的人要在高处不发晕才可以。

馬德拉岛上几乎没有可以游泳和休息的沙滩，但在桑塔岛上有近九千米长的沙滩。

馬德拉的飞机场也非常著名，它紧贴山和海筑成，从1984年到1986年它被扩大，使用钢筋水泥柱向海上延伸了几乎一倍，此前只有小飞机可以着陆，而且只有非常有经验的飞行员才能在这里降落。

References sources : wikipedia