Camara De Lobos Is A Fishing Village Near The City Of Funchal And Has Some Of The Highest Cliffs In The World Editorial Image

The location of the modern town is believed to be the original landing point for the Portuguese discoverer João Gonçalves Zarco, who is credited with the discovery of the Madeira Islands. When the explorer disembarked in this area 1419, he observed a narrow rocky peninsula that extended into the ocean, and another nearby that formed an amphitheatre-like harbour that could shelter ships from Atlantic storms. The name, lobos, is a Portuguese derivation for sea-lions, which were the animals discovered by Zarco and his men in the sheltered bay. Because of the large colony of these animals, the area was christened câmara dos lobos Although agriculture and fishing are still considered the primary sources of income, the area has grown as an extension of the tourism industry in the neighbouring parishes. Its local development prospects are tied to the growing tourist market, while for six centuries of history it has been associated with the fishing and agriculture, in particular bananas and other fruits common to the island. Further, Madeira Wine, an important industry on the island, continues to drive the cultivation of local vineyards.