The island was settled by Portuguese people, especially farmers from the Minho region, meaning that Madeirans (), as they are called, are ethnically Portuguese, though they have developed a distinct regional identity and cultural traits.
The region of Madeira and Porto Santo has a total population of just under 256,060, the majority of whom live on Madeira Island (251,060), where the population density is ; leaving around 5,000 on Porto Santo Island, where the population density is .
About 247,000 residents, or 96% of the population, are Catholic. Funchal is the location of the Catholic cathedral. Municipalities Population(2017 Estimate) Area (km2) Main city/town Freguesias Funchal 104,442 76.1 Funchal 10 Santa Cruz 44,417 81.5 Santa Cruz 5 Câmara de Lobos 33,847 52.1 Câmara de Lobos 5 Machico 20,272 68.3 Machico 5 Ribeira Brava 12,428 65.4 Ribeira Brava 4 Calheta 10,901 112 Calheta 8 Ponta do Sol 8,559 46.2 Ponta do Sol 3 Santana 6,808 95.6 Santana 6 Porto Santo 5,173 42.6 Vila Baleira 1 São Vicente 5,151 78.8 São Vicente 3 Porto Moniz 2,371 82.9 Porto Moniz 4 Total 244,286 801 Total 54
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