Their economy was given a boost when Portugal was admitted into the European Union in 1986. In the 1980's, bananas were found to fetch a higher price per acre than grapes, so many vines were replaced with banana trees. Bananas are now the Island's biggest agricultural export. Almost half live in the regional capital of Funchal. The island is noted for its natural beauty.
Exotic vegetation abounds in a carpet of green.
The terrain is rugged with imposing valleys and some of the highest sea-cliffs in the world. The climate is temperate and the winters are mild. Much like Portugal's other great wine region, the Douro, Madeira is a difficult place to grow grapes. Only about a third of the island is cultivated. Nearly all of the growing areas are to be found on small terraces called poios .