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Madeira - History Of An Island Quiz

What do you know about the history of this beautiful island?

A multiple-choice quiz by Vermic. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Vermic

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
62,627

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
598

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who officially discovered the island of Porto Santo and nearby Madeira? Hint

Tristao Goncalves Vaz and Joao Tristao

Zarco Goncalves Vaz and Joao Tristao

Joao Vaz and Tristao Goncalves Zarco

Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz

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Question 2 of 10

2. Christopher Columbus did also visit the islands of the Madeira Archipelago. He also got married there.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who attacked Madeira in the 16th-century? Hint

British soldiers

Dutch sailors

French pirates

Portuguese businessmen

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Question 4 of 10

4. The British presence in Madeira was a result of what? Hint

Madeira was sold by the Portuguese to the British

The Napoleonic Wars

British pirates conquered the islands and killed all the inhabitents

The British beat the Dutch in a five-year long war

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Question 5 of 10

5. Madeira played a part during the first World War between 1914 and 1918. True of False?

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the reaction of the people of Madeira when they were confronted with the 1974 revolution in Portugal? Hint

They couldn't care at all

They didn't like it at all

They greeted it with great joy

They started a war to get independence from Portugal

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Question 7 of 10

7. In what year a constitution was drawn up in Lisbon which designated Madeira an Autonomous Political Region? Hint

In 1975

In 1976

In 1974

Madeira never became an Autonomous Political Region

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which famous politician used to paint in the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos? Hint

Winston Churchill

Willy Brandt

Franklin Roosevelt

Silvio Berlusconi

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Question 9 of 10

9. The whaling scenes from John Huston's film version of Moby Dick were shot in what village, which also was once the centre of Madeira's whaling industry? Hint

Canical

Porto Moniz

Ribeiro Frio

Sao Vicente

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which famous person stayed in the Quinta Vigia? Hint

Christopher Columbus

Empress Sissi of Austria

Napoleon

Winston Churchill

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who officially discovered the island of Porto Santo and nearby Madeira?

Answer: Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz

Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz offially discovered the island of Porto Santo in 1418 and of nearby Madeira in 1420. After being blown by a storm off course Zarco found shelter on a small island, which he named in gratitude Porto Santo. Many believe these islands had been visited or sighted from as far back as the beginning of the Christian area.

2. Christopher Columbus did also visit the islands of the Madeira Archipelago. He also got married there.

Answer: True

Columbus came to Madeira in 1478, marrying Filipa Moniz, the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the first governor of Porto Santo. She died shortly after giving birth to their son. Their house has been made into a small museum in Porto Santo.

3. Who attacked Madeira in the 16th-century?

Answer: French pirates

Madeira suffered attacks from French pirates in the 16th-century. And Porto Santo was also constantly under threat from Algerian, Moorish, French and English pirates.

4. The British presence in Madeira was a result of what?

Answer: The Napoleonic Wars

The British presence was a result of the Napoleonic Wars, a friendly occupation concluding in 1814. Many British explorers and travellers settled here, originating a strong community of landowners and traders, which together with other nationalities helped giving Madeira a diverse cosmopolitian heritage.

5. Madeira played a part during the first World War between 1914 and 1918. True of False?

Answer: True

German U-boats shelled the capital Funchal in 1916 and 1917 after Germany declared war on Portugal, fortunately with few casualties.

6. What was the reaction of the people of Madeira when they were confronted with the 1974 revolution in Portugal?

Answer: They greeted it with great joy

The 1974 revolution, on the 25th of April, was greeted enthusiastically in Madeira.

7. In what year a constitution was drawn up in Lisbon which designated Madeira an Autonomous Political Region?

Answer: In 1976

Since 1976, when the constitution was drawn up, the region has been governed by an overwhelming Popular Social Democratic (PSD) majority, with the charismatic figure of Alberto Joao Jardim dominating the party and achieving systematic majorities in each election.

8. Which famous politician used to paint in the picturesque fishing village of Camara de Lobos?

Answer: Winston Churchill

Camara de Lobos was a favourite painting subject of Winston Churchill. There still is a monument in the village that reminds of the painting he did there.

9. The whaling scenes from John Huston's film version of Moby Dick were shot in what village, which also was once the centre of Madeira's whaling industry?

Answer: Canical

Canical was once the centre of Madeira's whaling industry. Whaling ceased in 1981, and since then the waters have been declared a marine mammal sanctuary, the killing of whales, dolphins and seals is forbidden. The whaling museum (Museu da Baleia) is now in the old whaling company's office.

10. Which famous person stayed in the Quinta Vigia?

Answer: Empress Sissi of Austria

Quinta Vigia was owned by a British citizen named Mr. Davis, who had the empress Sissi to stay in 1862 and in 1883. The gardens, trees and house make it a charming place to visit. Built in 1662 by Daniel da Costa Quintal, Princess Adelaide (daughter of Queen Victoria) and the Duke of Leuchtenberg were among the many illustrious guests to stay at the house. Now it is the official residence of the Regional Government.

Source: Author Vermic

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