Laurisilva forest on the island of Madeira | Portugal

Laurisilva forest on the island of Madeira is a rest of formerly widespread laurel forest. It contains the largest surviving relict of the defunct laurisilva forest that was once widespread across Europe. This forest is considered the center of plant diversity where you can find numerous rare, relict and endemic species, like bryophytes, ferns or flowering plants. Laurisilva forest also has a very rich fauna. Endemic species include the Madeiran long-toed pigeon and some 66 species of vascular plants.

Laurisilva forest was classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage in 1999, and it is still the only natural UNESCO site in Portugal. Such a forest exists now only on the Atlantic Islands, forming the so called Biographical Region of Macaronesia – Madeira, Azores and Canaries Islands, however the most extensive laurisilva forests remain on the island of Madeira.

Close to the Laurisilva forest you can visit also Santana 12 km, Ponta Delgada 7 km, Machico 23 km, Pico Ruivo 5 km, Pico do Arieiro 8 km, Madeira 3.8 km, Fortaleza do Pico 15 km, Monte 14 km or Madeira Theme Park 11 km.

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Tags: atlantic islands, azores, canaries islands, endemic species, ferns, flowering plants, forest, island, laurel forest, Laurisilva, machico, madeira, madeira portugal, natural heritage, nature, pico do arieiro, pico ruivo, pigeon, plant diversity, ponta delgada, Portugal, relict, rich fauna, theme park, unesco, vascular plants

Category: Nature Reserves, Portugal