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Coordinates: 32°39′4″N 16°54′35″W / 32.65111°N 16.90972°W / 32.65111; -16.90972
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{{Short description|East Atlantic Portuguese island, part of the Madeira Archipelago}}
{{about|the homonym main island on the Archipelago and Autonomous Region of [[Madeira]]|other uses|Madeira (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the homonym main island on the Archipelago and Autonomous Region of [[Madeira]]|other uses|Madeira (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox island
{{Infobox island
| name = Madeira
| name = Madeira
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| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| sobriquet = <!-- or |nickname= -->
| sobriquet = <!-- or |nickname= -->
| image_name = Madeira OnEarth WMS.png
| image_name = Funchal, Madeira.png
| image_size =
| image_size =
| image_caption = Satellite image of Madeira
| image_caption = Satellite image of Madeira
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| country_1_area_km2 = <!-- or |country_1_area_m2= or |country_1_area_ha= -->
| country_1_area_km2 = <!-- or |country_1_area_m2= or |country_1_area_ha= -->
| demonym =
| demonym =
| population = 267,785
| population = 245,595
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_footnotes =
| population_footnotes =
| population_rank =
| population_rank =
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}}
}}


'''Madeira''' is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] island, and is the largest and most populous of the [[Madeira Archipelago]]. It has an area of 740.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2011, Madeira had a total population of 262,456.
'''Madeira''' is a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] island, and is the largest and most populous of the [[Madeira Archipelago]]. It has an area of {{cvt|740.7|km2|sqmi|0}}, including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2021, Madeira had a total population of 245,595.

The island is the top of a massive submerged [[shield volcano]] that rises about {{cvt|6|km|mi}} from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east–west [[rift]]<ref>Geldemacher et al., 2000.</ref><ref>Ribeiro, 2001.</ref> in the [[oceanic crust]] along the [[African Plate]], beginning during the [[Miocene]] epoch over 5&nbsp;million years ago, continuing into the [[Pleistocene]] until about 700,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref name="GVP">{{cite gvp |vn=382120 |title=Madeira}}</ref> This was followed by extensive [[erosion]], producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing [[scoria cone]]s and [[lava flow]]s atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500&nbsp;years ago, creating more [[cinder cone]]s and lava flows.<ref name="GVP"/>

Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of {{cvt|741|km2|sqmi}}, a length of {{cvt|57|km|mi}} (from Ponta de São Lourenço to Ponta do Pargo), while approximately {{cvt|22|km|mi}} at its widest point (from Ponta da Cruz to Ponta de São Jorge), with a coastline of {{cvt|150|km|-1}}. It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching {{cvt|1862|m|ft|abbr=off}} at its highest point ([[Pico Ruivo]]), while much lower (below {{cvt|200|m|ft|disp=or}}) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo ({{cvt|1862|m|ft|disp=or}}), Torres ({{cvt|1851|m|ft|disp=or}}), Arieiro ({{cvt|1818|m|ft|disp=or}}), Cidrão ({{cvt|1802|m|ft|disp=or}}), Cedro ({{cvt|1759|m|ft|disp=or}}), Casado ({{cvt|1725|m|ft|disp=or}}), Grande ({{cvt|1657|m|ft|disp=or}}), Ferreiro ({{cvt|1582|m|ft|disp=or}}). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for [[calcium oxide]] production). Sea cliffs, such as [[Cabo Girão]], valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography |title=MadeiraHelp.com |publisher=MadeiraHelp.com |date=22 February 1999 |access-date=30 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731015932/http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography |archive-date=31 July 2010}}</ref> Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.<ref>Robert White, 1851, p. 4.</ref>
{{wide image|Vista desde el pico de Arieiro, Madeira, Portugal, 2019-05-30, DD 142-146 PAN.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|View from [[Pico do Arieiro]]}}
{{wide image|SMT of the NE Atlantic-Ocean.svg|800px|align-cap=center|[[Seamounts]] of Northeastern Atlantic between Madeira and continental Portugal with Madeira archipelago on the bottom left corner}}


==See also==
The island is the top of a massive submerged [[shield volcano]] that rises about {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east-west [[rift]]<ref>Geldemacher et al., 2000</ref><ref>Ribeiro, 2001</ref> in the [[oceanic crust]] along the [[African Plate]], beginning during the [[Miocene]] epoch over 5&nbsp;million years ago, continuing into the [[Pleistocene]] until about 700,000&nbsp;years ago.<ref name="GVP">{{cite gvp| vn=382120 | title=Madeira}}</ref> This was followed by extensive [[erosion]], producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing [[scoria cone]]s and [[lava flow]]s atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500&nbsp;years ago, creating more [[cinder cone]]s and lava flows.<ref name="GVP"/>
*[[Madeira]], the archipelago and Autonomous Region named after Madeira Island


==References==
Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of {{convert|741|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, a length of {{convert|57|km|mi|abbr=on}} (from Ponte de São Lourenço to Ponte do Pargo), while approximately {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} at its widest point (from Ponte da Cruz to Ponte São Jorge), with a coastline of {{convert|150|km|-1|abbr=on}}. It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching {{convert|1862|m|ft|abbr=off}} at its highest point ([[Pico Ruivo]]), while much lower (below 200 metres) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1,862 m), Torres (1,851 m), Arieiro (1,818 m), Cidrão (1,802 m), Cedro (1,759 m), Casado (1,725 m), Grande (1,657 m), Ferreiro (1,582 m). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for [[calcium oxide]] production). Sea cliffs, such as [[Cabo Girão]], valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|title=MadeiraHelp.com|publisher=MadeiraHelp.com|date=22 February 1999|accessdate=30 July 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731015932/http://www.madeirahelp.com/madeira_geography|archivedate=31 July 2010}}</ref> Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.<ref>Robert White, 1851, p.4</ref>
{{Reflist}}


{{portalbar|Islands|Portugal}}
== See also ==
* [[Madeira]], the archipelago and Autonomous Region named after Madeira Island


{{Authority control}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Madeira Island| ]]
[[Category:Madeira Island|Madeira Island]]
[[Category:Islands of the Autonomous Region of Madeira]]
[[Category:Islands of the Autonomous Region of Madeira]]
[[Category:Polygenetic shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Polygenetic shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Miocene shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Pliocene shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Pleistocene shield volcanoes]]
[[Category:Holocene shield volcanoes]]

Latest revision as of 13:56, 10 April 2024

Madeira
Satellite image of Madeira
Location of Madeira
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates32°39′4″N 16°54′35″W / 32.65111°N 16.90972°W / 32.65111; -16.90972
ArchipelagoMadeira Archipelago
Adjacent toAtlantic Ocean
Area740.7 km2 (286.0 sq mi)
Highest pointPico Ruivo
1,862 m (6,109 ft)
Administration
Portugal
Autonomous RegionAutonomous Region of Madeira
Capital and largest CityFunchal
Demographics
Population245,595 (2021)

Madeira is a Portuguese island, and is the largest and most populous of the Madeira Archipelago. It has an area of 740.7 km2 (286 sq mi), including Ilhéu de Agostinho, Ilhéu de São Lourenço, Ilhéu Mole (northwest). As of 2021, Madeira had a total population of 245,595.

The island is the top of a massive submerged shield volcano that rises about 6 km (3.7 mi) from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. The volcano formed atop an east–west rift[1][2] in the oceanic crust along the African Plate, beginning during the Miocene epoch over 5 million years ago, continuing into the Pleistocene until about 700,000 years ago.[3] This was followed by extensive erosion, producing two large amphitheatres open to south in the central part of the island. Volcanic activity later resumed, producing scoria cones and lava flows atop the older eroded shield. The most recent volcanic eruptions were on the west-central part of the island only 6,500 years ago, creating more cinder cones and lava flows.[3]

Madeira is the largest island of the group with an area of 741 km2 (286 sq mi), a length of 57 km (35 mi) (from Ponta de São Lourenço to Ponta do Pargo), while approximately 22 km (14 mi) at its widest point (from Ponta da Cruz to Ponta de São Jorge), with a coastline of 150 km (90 mi). It has a mountain ridge that extends along the centre of the island, reaching 1,862 m (6,109 ft) at its highest point (Pico Ruivo), while much lower (below 200 m or 660 ft) along its eastern extent. The primitive volcanic foci responsible for the central mountainous area, consisted of the peaks: Ruivo (1,862 m or 6,109 ft), Torres (1,851 m or 6,073 ft), Arieiro (1,818 m or 5,965 ft), Cidrão (1,802 m or 5,912 ft), Cedro (1,759 m or 5,771 ft), Casado (1,725 m or 5,659 ft), Grande (1,657 m or 5,436 ft), Ferreiro (1,582 m or 5,190 ft). At the end of this eruptive phase, an island circled by reefs was formed, its marine vestiges are evident in a calcareous layer in the area of Lameiros, in São Vicente (which was later explored for calcium oxide production). Sea cliffs, such as Cabo Girão, valleys and ravines extend from this central spine, making the interior generally inaccessible.[4] Daily life is concentrated in the many villages at the mouths of the ravines, through which the heavy rains of autumn and winter usually travel to the sea.[5]

Seamounts of Northeastern Atlantic between Madeira and continental Portugal with Madeira archipelago on the bottom left corner

See also

[edit]
  • Madeira, the archipelago and Autonomous Region named after Madeira Island

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Geldemacher et al., 2000.
  2. ^ Ribeiro, 2001.
  3. ^ a b "Madeira". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
  4. ^ "MadeiraHelp.com". MadeiraHelp.com. 22 February 1999. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  5. ^ Robert White, 1851, p. 4.