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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Madeira
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1992-09-03
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Group of islands forming an autonomous region
of Portugal off the NW coast of Africa, about
420 km/260 mi N of the Canary Islands.
Madeira, the largest, and Porto Santo, are
the only inhabited islands. The Desertas and
Selvagens are uninhabited islets. Their mild
climate makes them an all-year-round resort.
area 796 sq km/308 sq mi capital Funchal, on
Madeira physical Pico Ruivo, on Madeira, is
the highest mountain at 1,861 m/6,056 ft
products madeira (a fortified wine), sugar
cane, fruit, fish, handicrafts population
(1986) 269,500 history Portuguese from the
15th century; occupied by Britain in 1801 and
1807-14. In 1980 Madeira gained partial
autonomy but remains a Portuguese overseas
territory.