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Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago in the north Atlantic Ocean that lies between 32°22.3N 16°16.5W and 33°7.8N 17°16.65W. It is one of the Autonomous regions of Portugal, with Madeira Island and Porto Santo being the only inhabited islands. It is also part of the European Union. Madeira, known originally to the Romans as the Purple Islands, was rediscovered, possibly accidentally, by Portuguese sailors and settled by Portugal in 1418. It is a popular year-round resort, famed worldwide for its Madeira wine, a perfect climate, striking scenery, flowers, embroidery artisans, and New Years' Eve celebrations with a spectacular fireworks show..
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