The Madeira Islands, 540 miles southwest of Lisbon, Portugal, are a Portuguese archipelago positioned about 360 miles directly west of Morocco, Africa in the north Atlantic Ocean. These islands are a popular year-round resort, famed worldwide for their Madeira wine, embroidery artisans, a perfect (low humidity) climate, striking scenery and beautiful flowers. Madeira Island (740 sq km) is the largest island of the group. It's a rugged, mountainous rock, famed for its elevated sea cliffs, including Cabo Girao, the planet's second highest.