Some 23 nautical miles northeast of Madeira (by boat, several times weekly, 3 hours; by air, several times daily, 20minutes) is the table shaped island of Porto Santo (pop. 3,000; highest point Pico do Facho, 517m/1,696ft), surrounded by five small rocky islets. Porto Santo, 12km/7.5mi long by 6km/4miles wide, covering 42sq.km/16sq.mi, is very
different in character from the main island of Madeira. Its sandy uplands and aridity make farming very difficult for its inhabitants. Tourists seem little interested in the barren island, and there are only a few holiday bungalows and flats.