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• Highlights:

  Porto Santo: Discovered in 1418

  Madeira Island: Discovered in 1419

  Sugarcane Plantations

  Wine Production

Portuguese sailors discovered Porto Santo island ( Portuguese for Holy harbor ) first, in 1418.

Then in 1419, after several days of drifting, the crew of a ship which had been diverted from its course along the African coast, spotted a small island.

It turned out to be the refuge port they all needed and thus saved them from a fatal fate. They arrived on Madeira island ( Portuguese for wood ) and chose to settle down.

Madeira initially acquired wealth and recognition thanks to the sugar cane plantations and wine production therefore became a must within the European aristocracy which allowed a rewarding growth of its tourism industry.