Madeira and its Nature

A natural beauty filled with a rich biodiversity of species of endemic flora and fauna, classified a World Nature Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The Laurissilva Forest covers 15,000 hectares, 12,000 of which are in a Nature Reserve. Protected areas were created to conserve various species in danger of extinction and by October 1982 Madeira’s Regional Government had declared two thirds of the island a nature reserve for which it continues to provide protection and surveillance.
When Madeira was discovered in 1419 most of its land was forested. The settlers set fire too much of the Island to clear the land for farming. Today due to its pleasant climate most of the population is located in the south but the original forest is still found in the northern slopes and deep valleys of the island. This Laurel forest is composed of trees of the Lauraceae family and numerous counts of other plant species. The preservation of this environment is paramount; therefore no cattle or goats are permitted in these areas.