Water retained from the rainy season flows down the levadas from the mountains to farms and villages. Chief crops include sugar cane, corn, vegetables, bananas, oranges, mangoes, pomegranates, and the grapes that have made Madeira famous for wine. Wine production is the principal industry of Madeira. Next in importance are the making of willow wicker furniture and baskets, and embroidering. Most women embroider at home.
Fishing also contributes to the economy.
Britons handle much of Madeira's trade. Funchal is the capital of the Madeira Islands. It is also the largest city, main seaport, and chief resort center of the group. Funchal has ship connections with Lisbon, Portugal, and English ports, and air links with European and North African cities. The Portuguese first sailed to the island of Madeira in 1419.