Flag of Madeira
The flag of the Autonomous Region of Madeira was adopted in 1978.
Description and significance
The flag has an aspect ratio of 2:3 and is divided into three equal vertical stripes. The outer strips are blue, the middle part is gold colored. About the latter is the Cross of the Order of Christ. The blue color represents the insular nature of the region, the golden color for the mild climate and the areas of the island, which it owes its rich economy. The cross of the Order of Christ refers to João Gonçalves Zarco and Vaz Teixeira Tristão, the discoverer of the island, the members of the Order were. The cross symbolizes the connection with Portugal.
History
The regulation and accurate representation and symbolism of the flag of Madeira have been defined by the Council of the Autonomous Region July 28, 1978. The official regulation ( Decree n ° regionally 30/78/M ) was published on 12 September 1978. The use of the flag is enabled by the Constitution of Portugal. Madeira therefore has the status of an autonomous region with its own constitutional government which has a right to their own icons to differentiate visible from the rest of Portugal.
Already used 1974-1976 the Movimento Democrático de Libertação da Madeira (Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Madeira ), a similar flag. On her Quinas were performed instead of the cross; arranged five blue escutcheons to a cross, each with five silver coins, which represent the central element of the coat of arms of Portugal. The US-backed movement aspired to independence, if Portugal would become communist because of the Carnation Revolution. Since this did not happen, the movement disbanded. Its military arm was the Frente de Libertação do Arquipélago Madeiran ( Liberation Front of the Madeira archipelago )
More flags of Madeira
The 11 districts of Madeira have their own flags, which largely follow the requirements for Portuguese municipal flags, sometimes more, sometimes less. The individual towns run their own flags.
Câmara de Lobos
Ponta do Sol
Porto Santo
Ribeira Brava
Santa Cruz
Santana
São Vicente
Canhas ( village )