The dependence between variables plays a central role in multivariate extremes. In this paper, spatial
dependence of Madeira Island's rainfall data is addressed within an extreme value copula approach
through an analysis of maximum annual data. The impact of altitude, slope orientation, distance between
rain gauge stations and distance from the stations to the sea are investigated for two different periods of
time. The results obtained highlight the influence of the island's complex topography on the spatial
distribution of extreme rainfall in Madeira Island.
