The Madeira Archipelago is made of the Islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, Deserta and Selvageno. The name of the group Islands is taken from the largest Island Madeira.

The Madeiran Landmass encompasses approximately 300 square miles and is located in the Atlantic Ocean 625 miles from mainland Portugal and 545 miles from North Africa. 

The topography is mountainous and the highest point is 6,109 feet producing spectacular scenery and diverse vegetation. 

Communications

Communications are good, there are six daily flights to and from Lisbon, the Portuguese capital which is an international air transport hub. The flight from Lisbon to Madeira is one hour and thirty minutes.

There are also flights from Madeira to other European countries including five direct scheduled flights a week to London.

Madeira has an excellent digital telecommunications system with direct dialing to most countries. Postal and courier services are also good offering next day deliveries to mainland Portugal.

Population

The population is approximately 265,000 of which 100,000 live in the capital Funchal and are all mainly of Portuguese origin with a small expatriate British community resulting from the close trading relationship between Madeira and Britain.

Language

Portuguese is the National Language but English is taught in schools and is therefore used widely in commerce and international trade.

Political Structure

Madeira was discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in 1419 and partial political autonomy was eventually granted in 1976. Madeira is represented in Lisbon by five members who are elected by universal suffrage.

Portugal has a written constitution which defines the political structure and the role of the legislature. The Madeiraran Regional Parliament is an elected body which Legislates on Madeiran interests such as the budget and its responsibilities are also defined in the constitution. The Madeiran Government cannot however, overrule decisions made by the Central Government in Lisbon nor override political unity with Portugal.

Legal System

Madeira being a region of Portugal is a Civil Law jurisdiction and there are many law firms based in Funchal, The capital, specializing in International Trade and Commerce and Offshore Matters.

Taxation

Madeira being a region of Portugal benefits from full membership of the European Community and also benefits from Portugal ‘s double taxation treaty network. Treaties are in place with Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.