Introduction
Madeira was discovered in 1419 and in view of its excellent agricultural
conditions the settlement of farmers started in 1425.
Being off the north African coast and enjoying a semi-tropical
climate, it allows the cultivation of a great diversity of
species: on the lowlands, banana trees, sugar canes, mangoes,
papaias, granadillas, custard apples, at a middle level, fig
trees, vineyards, medlar trees, on the highest slopes, grains
such as corn, wheat, barley, rye together with European fruit
trees, cherry trees, apple trees and plum trees.
Due to its rugged and slopped terrain the Madeira agriculture
presents curious aspects, namely the intensive use of terraces
and the development of a wide system of irrigation channels,
the levadas, which collect the water descending from
the mountains.
The levadas are one of the most peculiar features in Madeira
for it extends to hundreds of kilometers being considered as
the blood vessels of the Island.
It is on the levadas maintenance sidewalks that we will
hike.
Geography
Its volcanic origin dates back to some 30 million years to the
pre-ice age.
Its diverse vegetation has the interesting feature of keeping
the remains of a primitive forest that covered ample areas in
Europe.
This ice age provoked the destruction of multiple vegetal species
throughout Europe which, due to both the beneficial influence
of the Ocean and the African climate, could survive in Madeira.
This primitive forest called Laurissilva is one of the
most representative in the World. There are 145 different endemic
vegetal species and also possesses some unique zoological species.
This area is now classified as a Natural Park and covers 740
sqkm.
Climate
Maritime temperate with sub-tropical features. Mild temperatures
all year round.
