Funchal

Funchal (fnshäl`), city (1991 pop. 109,957), capital of Funchal dist., on Madeira island, Portugal. A busy port exporting wines, fish, and fruit, it is best known for its beautiful setting and balmy climate, which make it a much-frequented resort. It has a late-15th-century cathedral and a convent church containing the tomb of João Gonçalves Zarco, who founded the city in 1421.

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Funchal

City (pop., 2001: 102,521), capital of the autonomous region of Madeira, Portugal. It lies on the southern coast of Madeira Island in the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is the centre of industry, commerce, and communications for Madeira. Funchal was founded in 1421 by the Portuguese navigator João Gonçalves Zarco and later came under Spanish (1580–1640) and British (1807–14) control. The city's scenery and mild year-round climate attract many tourists.