1. A Brazilian river; tributary of the Amazon River; Also called: Madeira River.
2. City in Ohio (USA); zip code 45243.
Group of islands forming an autonomous region of Portugal off the nw coast of Africa, about 420 km/260 mi N of the Canary Islands. Madeira, the largest, and Porto Santo are the only inhabited islands. The Desertas and Selvagens are uninhabited islets. Their mild climate makes them a year-round resort.
Area 796 sq km/308 sq mi.
Capital Funchal, on Madeira.
Physical Pico Ruivo, on Madeira, is the highest mountain at 1,861 m/6,106 ft.
Industries Madeira (a fortified wine), sugar cane, fruit, fish, handicrafts.
Population (1991) 253,400.
History Portuguese from the 15th century; occupied by Britain 1801 and 1807–14. In 1980 Madeira gained partial autonomy but remains a Portuguese overseas territory.

Amber-colored dessert wine from Madeira.