Madeira Nature Festival of Colors and Biodiversity

Madeira … a Portuguese archipelago that lies between 32°22.3′N 16°16.5′W and 33°7.8′N 17°16.65′W, just under 400 km north of Tenerife (Canary Islands), in the north Atlantic Ocean. Although it is the outermost region of the European Union … it is an unique and mysterious island with its stunning rock formations, subtropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colorful marine life. One might doubt that maybe Atlantis has not disappeared completely under the sea … but it still exists.

Cascades of the Levada do Caldeirao Verde (Photo by Rafael Fresno)

Madeira is known as the “Flower Island”, but instead it would be more fitting to call it “The Green Pearl of the Atlantic Ocean” with its 13,010,405,091,801 type of green colors it holds. If you do not believe us, then come over to Madeira and count the colors green that you will see.

The colors of Madeira Islands have always been a delight for travelers. Rumors states that when the first settlers discovered the island more than 1,000 years ago … the first thing they saw was the mysterious accumulation of colors in the horizon that was rising from the ocean.

Small village in the between the mountains (Photo by Don Amaro)

Not only the natural elements of flowers, trees, and other vegetation plays an important role here on this island, but also the sky, cliffs, mountains, ridges, coast, clouds etc. All these are instruments that Mother Nature uses to maintain her work of art … that is known to be also her favorite holiday destination.

Rainbow at Balcões (Photo by Alan)

Laurisilva Forest of Madeira …. an UNESCO World heritage since 1999, covering 149.5km2 of the island. Thanks to the Laurisilva is Madeira considered a Green Paradise with an endemic type of humid subtropical laurel forest … found on several of the Macaronesian islands of the north Atlantic, namely the Azores, Madeira Islands, and the Canary Islands. The laurel-leaved evergreen forests are made up of hardwood trees, that reaches up to 40 meters in height. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species.

Sunrise at Paúl da Serra (Photo by Don Amaro)

Madeira is also an island that rises about 6 km from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, reaching, even surpassing the clouds. Therefore Madeira has seems to have two surfaces, namely one above the sea and below the clouds (if any) …. and the other one above the clouds and below the stars.

Levada Walk (Photo by Don Amaro)

Come to Madeira and celebrate with us its nature, … discover its biodiversity, … and at the same time we call you to support us with its conservation.

More images ….

A sequel on Mysterious scenery that often is seen here on Madeira Islands. Just like the UFO’s … it suddenly appears … it captures our attention …. for always engraved in our memories …. and not many people believe when we tell them what we saw. Luckily there were a few of us that quickly could capture these magical moments on image.

Watch the following magical moments captured on image by travelers that have visited Madeira Island … these images are able to cover the prominent world paintings with a veil of shame.