Place details
Place nameMadeira
Other namesIlha da Madeira
CountryPortugal
SourceThesaurus of Geographic Names
Overview
Possibly visited by Phoenicians; was explored by Genoese in 14th cen.; Portuguese introduced grapes from Cyprus or Crete in 15th cen.; held by British during Napoleonic Wars; today is famed for wine; also produces sugar & bananas, fish & embroidery.