kilometers) west of the Moroccan coast, is a Portuguese overseas territory.

The group consists of the two inhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo and two tiny uninhabited island groups.

Funchal, the regional capital and largest town, is on Madeira Island.

A popular winter health resort, Madeira has a mild subtropical climate with annual rainfall of 29 inches (74 centimetres) concentrated in the winter months.

The island abounds in natural vegetation with lush growth of mimosa, eucalyptus, camphor, fig, bamboo, laurel, and palm trees. Chief crops are sugarcane, vegetables, sweet potatoes, wheat, barley, corn, bananas, mangoes, guavas, pineapples, figs, and citrus fruits. Grapes, introduced by the Portuguese in the 15th century, have made Madeira world famous for its wine.

Sugar and wine are Madeira's chief products and exports. Most of the people of Madeira are descended from Moors, Portuguese, and black African slaves. Most of the population live in small communities of huts.

Madeira was probably known to Phoenician traders in ancient times. The Romans knew it as the Purple Islands.

Rediscovered by Portuguese sailors in 1418, it was colonised about 30 years later. Slavery was abolished in 1775. Because of its location, Madeira played a significant part in early explorations of Africa's west coast. Population (estimate), 273,200.