A postcard from each corner of the World
Autonomous Region of Madeira is one of two autonomous regions of Portugal (the other is Azores). And Funchal is the capital city of Madeira. The city name comes from the impressive amount of fennel (funcho in the Portuguese language) growing in this where the city is located. The postcard shows the magnificent view of the city, but you probably can observe even better views from a gondola riding the Madeira Cable Car.
Corvo Island, literally the Island of the Crow, is the smallest and the northernmost island of the Azores archipelago, with a population of approximately 468 inhabitants (in 2006) constituting the smallest single municipality in Azores and in Portugal. The island originated from only one volcano, which was active for the last time about two million years ago.
Interesting fact: only in 1963, the island received electricity and the first telephone cables were laid in 1973. Up to then communication with the neighbour island — when a priest, a doctor or other help was needed — was done by radio, and before that even by means of smoke signals!
Portas da Cidada (City Gates), one of Ponta Delgada’s symbols, was built in 1783 and marked the entrance to the city until the harbour was extended. Back then, the square, in which these gates stand, was close to the coast and represented the landing place for all traffic coming in from the sea.
The Azores is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. São Miguel Island, is also referred to locally as “The Green Island”, is the largest and most populous island in the archipelago of the Azores. It is believed that the island was discovered in 1427, and today it’s population is around 138,000.
Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal. It is recognised as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education and tourism. Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and the oldest in Western Europe, predating other modern European capitals such as London, Paris and Rome by centuries.
