In 1418, two Portuguese explorers, while exploring the northern coast of Africa in the service of Prince Henry the Navigator, were blown off course. A storm forced them to sail to the shore of an unknown island. They named it Porto Santo, meaning holy harbor, in gratitude for God's deliverance from shipwreck. An expedition formed a year later founded a settlement on Porto Santo and discovered another island. It was named Madeira, meaning wood. Both islands had no indigenous populations and were claimed by the Portuguese Crown. This was the first territorial claim in the Age of Discovery.
Madeira is part of Macaronesia, a group of archipelagos in the northeastern Atlantic. It has high peaks, lush forests and a rugged coastline. Amazing views can be encountered at every turn. It is an island of volcanic origin, so there are only pebble or black sand beaches. Two yellow sand beaches made of artificially brought sand are incredibly crowded in high season. Madeira is unique however, because of its network of tunnels and the large number of hiking trails.
