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Porto Santo Island is located approximately 43 kilometers northeast of Madeira Island.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is situated approximately 43 kilometers (23 nautical miles) northeast of Madeira Island, making it the northernmost and easternmost island in the Madeira archipelago.
Porto Santo Island is commonly known by the nickname 'The Golden Island' due to its extensive sandy beaches.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is popularly known as 'The Golden Island,' a nickname attributed to its extensive sandy beaches.
Pico do Facho, at 517 meters, is the highest elevation on Porto Santo Island.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pico do Facho, with an elevation of 517 meters (1696 feet), is indeed the highest point on Porto Santo Island.
Porto Santo Island is characterized by a mountainous northeast and a coastal plain in the southwest with a nine-kilometer-long white sand beach.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island's geography is defined by a mountainous northeast and a southwestern coastal plain featuring a distinctive nine-kilometer-long white sand beach.
Pico do Castelo is the highest peak in the mountainous northeast of Porto Santo Island.
Answer: False
Explanation: Pico do Facho, at 517 meters, is the highest peak in the mountainous northeast of Porto Santo Island, not Pico do Castelo.
The oceanic platform surrounding Porto Santo Island has a consistent depth of 20 meters.
Answer: False
Explanation: The oceanic platform surrounding Porto Santo Island has a minimum depth of 8 meters at Baixa do Noroeste, not a consistent depth of 20 meters.
What is the geographical relationship of Porto Santo Island to Madeira Island?
Answer: Approximately 43 kilometers northeast of Madeira Island.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is situated approximately 43 kilometers (23 nautical miles) northeast of Madeira Island, making it the northernmost and easternmost island within the Madeira archipelago.
What is the popular nickname for Porto Santo Island, and what does it likely refer to?
Answer: The Golden Island, referring to its extensive sandy beaches.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is commonly known as 'The Golden Island,' a nickname likely derived from its extensive sandy beaches.
What is the highest elevation on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: Pico do Facho at 517 meters.
Explanation: Pico do Facho, at 517 meters (1696 feet), is the highest elevation on Porto Santo Island.
What are the two main geographical areas that characterize Porto Santo Island?
Answer: A mountainous northeast and a coastal plain in the southwest.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is characterized by a mountainous northeast and a coastal plain in the southwest, featuring a nine-kilometer-long white sand beach.
Which of the following peaks is the highest point on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: Pico do Facho.
Explanation: Pico do Facho, at 517 meters, is the highest point on Porto Santo Island.
What is the nature of the oceanic platform surrounding Porto Santo Island?
Answer: A platform spanning 20 to 37 square kilometers with a minimum depth of 8 meters.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island is encircled by an oceanic platform spanning 20 to 37 square kilometers, with a minimum depth of 8 meters at Baixa do Noroeste.
Porto Santo Island's volcanic history began during the Pliocene epoch.
Answer: False
Explanation: Porto Santo Island's volcanic history commenced during the Miocene epoch, continuing into the Quaternary period, not the Pliocene.
Porto Santo Island experiences a semi-arid climate (BSh) with consistently high humidity levels.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island's climate is classified as semi-arid (BSh), characterized by consistently high average annual relative humidity of 77%.
The driest months on Porto Santo Island are November and December.
Answer: False
Explanation: The driest months on Porto Santo Island are typically July and August, while November and December are the wettest.
The record high temperature at Porto Santo Airport is 35.3 °C (95.5 °F), recorded in August.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Airport's record high temperature of 35.3 °C (95.5 °F) was indeed recorded in August.
The average annual precipitation on Porto Santo Island is 15.02 inches (381.7 millimeters).
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island receives an average annual precipitation of 381.7 millimeters (15.02 inches).
Porto Santo Island experiences significant precipitation (1 millimeter or more) on approximately 100 days per year.
Answer: False
Explanation: On average, Porto Santo Island experiences 61.5 days per year with precipitation of 1 millimeter or more, not approximately 100 days.
The average annual relative humidity on Porto Santo Island is 77%.
Answer: True
Explanation: The average annual relative humidity on Porto Santo Island is indeed 77%, maintaining a high level despite its semi-arid climate.
Porto Santo Island receives 53% of its possible annual sunshine.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Island receives 53% of its possible annual sunshine, indicating a significant proportion of sunny daylight hours.
How many distinct phases of volcanism characterized Porto Santo Island's geological history?
Answer: Three.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island's volcanic history involved three distinct phases of volcanism, each followed by periods of sedimentation.
What type of climate does Porto Santo Island experience?
Answer: Semi-arid.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island experiences a semi-arid climate, classified as BSh.
Which months are typically the driest on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: July and August.
Explanation: The driest months on Porto Santo Island are typically July and August.
What is the record high temperature recorded at Porto Santo Airport?
Answer: 35.3 °C (95.5 °F).
Explanation: The record high temperature at Porto Santo Airport is 35.3 °C (95.5 °F), recorded in August.
What is the average annual precipitation on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: 15.02 inches (381.7 millimeters).
Explanation: The average annual precipitation on Porto Santo Island is 381.7 millimeters (15.02 inches).
On average, how many days per year does Porto Santo Island experience precipitation of 1 millimeter or more?
Answer: 61.5 days.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island averages 61.5 days per year with precipitation of 1 millimeter or more.
What percentage of its possible annual sunshine does Porto Santo Island receive?
Answer: 53%.
Explanation: Porto Santo Island receives 53% of its possible annual sunshine.
Knowledge of Atlantic islands like Madeira first appeared on maps only after their official discovery by the Portuguese in the 15th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Knowledge of Atlantic islands, including Madeira, appeared on maps as early as 1339, predating their official Portuguese discovery and settlement in the 15th century.
The 'Libro del Conocimiento' referred to one of the islands as 'Leiname', a term meaning 'wood' similar to the Portuguese 'madeira'.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the 'Libro del Conocimiento,' a Castilian monk used the term 'Leiname' for one of the Madeira islands, which means 'wood,' akin to the Portuguese word 'madeira'.
Portugal's decision to claim the Madeiran islands was primarily driven by the discovery of valuable mineral resources.
Answer: False
Explanation: Portugal's claim over the Madeiran islands was a strategic response to Spain's efforts to claim the Canary Islands, not primarily due to mineral resources.
The human discovery of Porto Santo Island was officially recorded in 1418 by João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira.
Answer: True
Explanation: The official human discovery of Porto Santo Island occurred in 1418, attributed to Captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira.
The name 'Porto Santo' translates to 'Safe Harbor' and was given due to its calm waters year-round.
Answer: False
Explanation: The name 'Porto Santo' translates to 'Holy Harbour' and originated from sailors finding shelter in a bay during a severe tempest, not from consistently calm waters.
The first Portuguese settlers arrived on Porto Santo Island in the 1420s.
Answer: True
Explanation: The initial Portuguese settlers established habitation on Porto Santo Island in the 1420s.
Bartolomeu Perestrelo's introduction of rabbits to Porto Santo Island led to significant environmental degradation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrelo's release of a pregnant rabbit and its offspring resulted in catastrophic environmental damage due to their uncontrolled multiplication and destruction of native flora.
Early settlers on Porto Santo Island primarily struggled with a lack of building materials and fertile land.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early settlers on Porto Santo Island primarily struggled with a scarcity of potable water, widespread destruction by feral rabbits, and threats from pirates, not specifically a lack of building materials or fertile land.
In 1617, Barbary Pirates attacked Porto Santo and captured 663 inhabitants as slaves.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 1617, Barbary Pirates attacked Porto Santo, capturing 663 inhabitants who were subsequently enslaved.
According to historical records, when did knowledge of Atlantic islands like Madeira first appear on maps?
Answer: As early as 1339, predating official discovery.
Explanation: Historical records indicate that knowledge of Atlantic islands, including Madeira, was present on maps as early as 1339, preceding their official discovery and settlement by the Portuguese.
In the 'Libro del Conocimiento,' what name did a Castilian monk use for an island that meant 'wood,' similar to the Portuguese 'madeira'?
Answer: Leiname.
Explanation: The 'Libro del Conocimiento' refers to one of the islands as 'Leiname,' a term meaning 'wood,' which is analogous to the Portuguese word 'madeira'.
What was the primary reason Portugal claimed the Madeiran islands?
Answer: A strategic response to Spain's efforts to claim the Canary Islands.
Explanation: Portugal's claim over the Madeiran islands was primarily a strategic response to Spain's contemporary attempts to claim and subdue the Canary Islands.
Who were the captains officially recorded as discovering Porto Santo Island in 1418?
Answer: João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira.
Explanation: Captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira are officially recorded as discovering Porto Santo Island in 1418.
The name 'Porto Santo' (Holy Harbour) originated from what event?
Answer: A severe tempest during which sailors found a sheltered bay.
Explanation: The name 'Porto Santo,' meaning 'Holy Harbour,' originated from sailors finding a sheltered bay during a severe tempest, which they interpreted as divine deliverance.
When did the first Portuguese settlers arrive on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: In the 1420s.
Explanation: The first Portuguese settlers arrived on Porto Santo Island in the 1420s, initiating its sustained human habitation.
What significant environmental impact did Bartolomeu Perestrelo inadvertently cause on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: He released rabbits that multiplied catastrophically, destroying native flora and increasing erosion.
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrelo inadvertently caused significant environmental damage by releasing rabbits that multiplied catastrophically, leading to the destruction of native flora and increased erosion.
Which of the following was NOT a major challenge faced by early settlers on Porto Santo Island?
Answer: Frequent volcanic eruptions.
Explanation: Early settlers on Porto Santo Island faced challenges such as water scarcity, rabbit destruction, and pirate attacks, but not frequent volcanic eruptions.
How many inhabitants of Porto Santo were captured as slaves by Barbary Pirates in 1617?
Answer: 663.
Explanation: In 1617, Barbary Pirates captured 663 inhabitants of Porto Santo, taking them as slaves.
The municipality of Porto Santo was officially elevated to city status in the early 2000s.
Answer: False
Explanation: The municipality of Porto Santo was officially elevated to city status on August 6, 1996, not in the early 2000s.
As of 2021, the population of Porto Santo Island exceeded 6,000 inhabitants.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2021, Porto Santo Island had a population of 5,158 inhabitants, which does not exceed 6,000.
The main urban area of Porto Santo Island, Vila Baleira, lacks a health-care center and police detachments.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vila Baleira, the main urban area of Porto Santo Island, is well-equipped with essential facilities, including a health-care center and police detachments.
Tourism has been the primary industry on Porto Santo Island since the 20th century, driven by its beaches and temperate climate.
Answer: True
Explanation: Tourism has been the main industry on Porto Santo Island since the 20th century, flourishing due to its attractive beaches and consistently temperate climate.
The Porto Santo Golfe course was designed by a renowned Portuguese architect.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Porto Santo Golfe course was designed by Spanish golfing champion Seve Ballesteros, not a Portuguese architect.
Porto Santo Airport serves as a frequent diversion location for Madeira Airport due to Madeira's high winds and stringent meteorological requirements.
Answer: True
Explanation: Porto Santo Airport frequently acts as a diversion point for flights to Madeira Airport because of Madeira's susceptibility to high winds and strict meteorological landing criteria.
The population of Porto Santo Island in 2011 was 5,158 inhabitants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The population of Porto Santo Island in 2011 was recorded as 5,483 inhabitants, not 5,158.
Porto Santo Island operates on Central European Time (CET).
Answer: False
Explanation: Porto Santo Island operates on Western European Time (WET), which corresponds to UTC±00:00, not Central European Time (CET).
As of 2021, what was the population of Porto Santo Island?
Answer: 5,158 inhabitants.
Explanation: In 2021, Porto Santo Island's population was recorded as 5,158 inhabitants.
What is the primary industry driving Porto Santo Island's economy?
Answer: Tourism.
Explanation: Tourism is the primary industry driving Porto Santo Island's economy, significantly developed since the 20th century.
Who designed the Porto Santo Golfe course?
Answer: Seve Ballesteros.
Explanation: The Porto Santo Golfe course was designed by the Spanish golfing champion Seve Ballesteros.
Why does Porto Santo Airport frequently serve as a diversion location for flights to Madeira?
Answer: Madeira Airport's frequent closures due to high winds and stringent meteorological requirements.
Explanation: Porto Santo Airport serves as a frequent diversion for Madeira Airport due to the latter's susceptibility to high winds and strict meteorological landing requirements.
What was the population of Porto Santo Island in 2011?
Answer: 5,483 inhabitants.
Explanation: The population of Porto Santo Island in 2011 was recorded as 5,483 inhabitants.
What time zone does Porto Santo Island operate on?
Answer: Western European Time (WET).
Explanation: Porto Santo Island operates on Western European Time (WET), which is UTC±00:00.
Bartolomeu Perestrelo was appointed the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo in 1418.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrelo was appointed the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo in November 1445, not 1418.
Christopher Columbus was the son of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo.
Answer: False
Explanation: Christopher Columbus married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, making him his son-in-law, not his son.
Bartolomeu Perestrello was a Portuguese navigator credited with the discovery and population of Porto Santo Island starting from 1419.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrello, a Portuguese navigator, is indeed credited with the discovery and subsequent population of Porto Santo Island from 1419, and he was its first Captain-donatário.
Filipa Moniz Perestrelo was the sister of Christopher Columbus.
Answer: False
Explanation: Filipa Moniz Perestrelo was the wife of Christopher Columbus, not his sister.
Who was appointed the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo in November 1445?
Answer: Bartolomeu Perestrelo.
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrelo was appointed the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo in November 1445.
What was Christopher Columbus's connection to Porto Santo Island?
Answer: He married the daughter of the first Captain-donatário and resided there.
Explanation: Christopher Columbus married Filipa Moniz Perestrelo, the daughter of Porto Santo's first Captain-donatário, and resided on the island for a period.
What was Bartolomeu Perestrello's primary role in the history of Porto Santo Island?
Answer: He was the first Captain-donatário and credited with its discovery and population.
Explanation: Bartolomeu Perestrello was the first Captain-donatário of Porto Santo Island and is credited with its discovery and initial population from 1419.
Who was Filipa Moniz Perestrelo notably connected to?
Answer: The famous explorer Christopher Columbus.
Explanation: Filipa Moniz Perestrelo was notably connected to the famous explorer Christopher Columbus, as she was his wife.