Madeira is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, situated 625 miles (1,000 km) from Mainland Portugal and 545 miles (900 km) from North Africa. It consists of four islands: Madeira, Porto Santo, Desertas and Selvagens. Madeira and Porto Santo are the only inhabited islands, while the Desertas and Selvagens islands are uninhabited natural reserves that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Madeira Island is the biggest and most important island of the archipelago with an area of 741 km2. Due to its subtropical climate and landscapes, it is known worldwide as an all year round tourist destination. Although it is an integral part of Portugal where all laws applicable on the mainland also apply, Madeira is an autonomous region with its own government and parliament.

The population numbers approximately 245,000 inhabitants and its capital is the city of Funchal. Madeira’s International Airport serves several daily flights to Lisbon and other major cities. The official currency is the EURO and it is a civil law jurisdiction. A considerable part of the younger population is fluent in English.

Madeira’s economy is based on tourism, wine production and the International Business Centre of Madeira (IBCM). Created at the beginning of the eighties has, the IBCM has proved to be a success and currently represents around 21% of the Regional Gross Domestic Product. The highly advantageous tax regime, in addition to competitive operating costs, makes Madeira an attractive centre for international investment.