By the time it was learned that the disease could be controlled by dusting the vine leaves with sulphur, it had almost destroyed all production. After a brief period of rebuilding, the phylloxera louse arrived in 1873. Six thousand acres were destroyed. Most were replanted with European and American hybrids. When in 1974, a revolution ended 42 years of dictatorship in Portugal, Madeirans took hold of their future.
Tourism is the Island's largest industry and is aggressively promoted.
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.