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Islands of green mountains and flowers, Madeira and the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, are situated in the Atlantic off the West Coast of Africa, just north of the Canaries. Madeira is approximately 57km by 22km, with a population of 300,000, over half of which live in the capital Funchal. The highest point is 1,862 metres at Pico Ruivo.

The largest of a group of five islands formed by volcanic eruption, Madeira is, in fact, the summit of a mountain range rising four miles from the sea bed. Most other islands formed this way are barren but Madeira is lush and verdant, boasting rich agricultural resources. Madeira, being a high mountainous area has a high rainfall, but the rain, particularly in the summer is usually in short sharp bursts.

As a result of such high rainfall, Madeira is very lush and green, one immense natural park. The Madeiran climate is considered to be one of the best in the world, it is temperate and humid. Clouds rise from the sea level up the slopes in a northerly direction, and quite often become fixed between 700 and 800 metres. In the north of the island it is quite common for the weather to be moderate all year round because of the high altitudes.