Ribeira Brava, Madeira Ribeira Brava, Madeira Ribeira Brava () is a municipality on the island of Madeira, in the Portuguese Autonomous Region of Madeira. It is located along the southern coast (approximately centre), and is west of Câmara de Lobos and the regional capital Funchal, south of São Vicente, and east of Ponta do Sol. The population in 2011 was 13,375, in an area of 65.41 km². The municipality gained its name due to its river - Ribeira Brava, which translates as 'the angry river'. In rainy seasons, the river had an extremely strong and powerful current, that often wreaked havoc over the
History of Madeira João Jardim. On 1 July 1976, following the democratic revolution of 1974, Portugal granted political autonomy to Madeira, celebrated on Madeira Day. The region now has its own government and legislative assembly. 12 September 1978, the creation of the Madeira flag. The blue part symbolizes the sea surrounding the island and the yellow represents the abundance of life on the island. The red cross of the Order of Christ, with a white cross on it, is identical to the one on the flag of Prince Henry's ships that discovered the island. History of Madeira The history of Madeira begins with