Madeira: political system
Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal with its own island parliament consisting of 50 members and an island president.
The official name of the country is:
| Madeira Autonomous Region |
National anthem
The national anthem of a country is a piece of music with a text, which is intended to express the state, life and national feeling of a country. It is played on particularly festive occasions, e.g. on state visits, on special holidays or to honor politicians, business leaders, etc. The national anthem of the respective winning country is also performed at the award ceremony on the occasion of international sporting events such as the Olympic Games, the Tour de France or World and European Championships.
In most European countries, the national anthems and flags were introduced in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, after they achieved independence.
Madeira’s national anthem is that of Portugal. This was written by Henrique Lopes de Mendoca in 1891 and later set to music by Alfredo Keil. It became the country’s official anthem in 1910.
In Portuguese it reads:
| Heróis do mar, nobre povo, Nação valente, imortal, Levantai hoje de novo O esplendor de Portugal! Entre as brumas da memória, Ó Pátria sente-se a voz Dos teus egrégios avós, Que há-de guiar-te à vitória!Às armas, às armas! Sobre a terra, sobre o mar, Às armas, às armas! Pela Pátria lutar Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!Desfralda a invicta Bandeira, À luz viva do teu céu! Brade a Europa à terra inteira: Portugal not pereceu Beija o solo teu jucundo O Oceano, a rugir d’amor, E teu braço vencedor Deu mundos novos ao Mundo!Às armas, às armas! Sobre a terra, sobre o mar, Às armas, às armas! Pela Pátria lutar Contra os canhões marchar, marchar!Saudai o Sol que desponta Sobre um ridente porvir; Seja o eco de uma afronta O sinal do ressurgir. Raios dessa aurora forte São como beijos de mãe, Que nos guardam, nos sustêm, Contra as injúrias da sorte.Às armas, às armas! Sobre a terra, sobre o mar, Às armas, às armas! Pela Pátria lutar Contra os canhões marchar, marchar! |
And in the German translation:
| Heroes of the sea, noble people, brave and immortal nation. now the hour has come to show Portugal’s splendor again.From the fog of the past, O Fatherland, we hear the voice of Our venerable forefathersWhat will lead you to victory! To the guns, the guns! On land and at sea, To the weapons, the weapons!To defend our fatherland, march against the cannons, march !! Unroll the invincible flag In the shining light of your heaven!Announce Europe and the whole country: Portugal is not conquered! Kiss your happy land, the ocean that mumbles with love!And your victorious arm Has given the world new worlds. Greet the rising sun, which shows a prosperous future.Let the end of the past be the signal for our new beginning. The rays of this great beginning are like the mother’s kisses, who protect us, support us against the injustices of fate. |
National flag
The national flag (national flag) symbolizes, among other things, certain historical developments or special characteristics of your country. It is used to identify the origin, e.g. of a ship. Flags, field symbols, flags or coats of arms have always had a high symbolic value. Soldiers are called to the flag, an ensign wore a flag or a standard earlier in battle to orient the soldiers of the unit. Today every country has its own national flag, which is often supplemented by numerous other flags inside.
Since Madeira belongs to Portugal, the national flag of Portugal is also that of Madeira.
Madeira: history
From the year 1000 to the 17th century
The archipelago was probably already under the Phoenicians in the 6th century BC. Known. but, as is often the case, this information was lost in the Lafe of Time, although ships that were returning from the Canary Islands probably docked here as early as the 14th century. And it was not until 1419 that the Portuguese João Gonçalves Zarco took over the islands, so to speak rediscovered. People have only been living on Madeira Island for about 600 years. In 1420 Madeira was claimed by the Portuguese crown and was settled with the support of the Portuguese Infante, who was known as “Henry the Navigator” (1394-1460). Heinrich was the 4th son of the Portuguese king John I (1357 – 1433) – the tenth king of Portugal,
Slaves soon came to work on the island. Madeira has been part of Portugal politically since then.
In the 15th century, the French, Dutch and Italians also settled on the island. The English also discovered Madeira for themselves and took over important growing areas of the island in the 17th century after a trade deal with Portugal, so that Madeira finally became dependent on the English.
In the 18th and 19th centuries
During the Napoleonic Wars, the English occupied Madeira and established bases there against France. When Napoleon annexed Portugal, the English declared Madeira completely occupied. But a short time later the English left the island. Since the 19th century Madeira has been developed mainly for tourism.
In the 20th century
In 1931 the Madeirans rebelled against the motherland Portugal. However, after Portuguese troops landed on the island, the residents had to surrender. The so-called Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974, which turned the country into a democracy, also had an impact on Madeira. The independence from the motherland was demanded again. Madeira was eventually declared a Madeira Autonomous Region, but has remained politically and militarily dependent on Portugal until today.