Is there a jungle in Madeira?

A 20-million-year-old subtropical rainforest, the Laurissilva forest dates back to the Tertiary Age. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an invaluable environmental heritage.



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Madeira has a tropical climate and is consistently in the high 20s and early 30s, making it a popular destination year-round. However, the main island is home to several microclimates that are due to its orography.

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In reality, the Laurel forest which occupies about 20% of the island, and where most Levadas/hikes go across, is not very sensitive to the dry months and it is kept lush and green by the fogs and humidity that typically occur in the region, any time of the year. Same applies to most of the North Coast.

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This formidable high-level traverse links Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) the island's third-highest mountain, and Pico Ruivo (1,862m), the highest one. It´s famous for its stupendous drops and panoramas on all sides. I must admit there is an immediate sense of exposure.

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Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Madeira's economy boosted with the emergence of its world-famous wine. In fact, Madeira's fortified wine has not only accompanied many great meals, but also some of the world's most historically significant moments.

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Geological Summary Madeira Island is the emergent top of a massive shield volcano that rises about 6 km from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean and forms the largest island of the Madeira Archipelago, about 90 km in length.

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The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.

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The north side of the island takes all the punishment. The trade winds travel down the Atlantic and hit the north coast brining with them rain and cool air. The high mountains act as a barrier to the more densely populated, “sunnier” side of the island, the south side.

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Lying over 500 kilometers from the African coast, Madeira – about half the size of Hertfordshire – was simply too far over rough seas for land animals to make the crossing, even haphazardly. The total absence of land mammals allowed the Trocaz pigeon to become the royalty of Madeira.

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How about Madeira? Geographically (and weatherwise) it's closer to Africa than Europe… just 500km west of Casablanca in fact, though it's technically Portugal and about a three-hour flight from London. Funchal is the island's only real city.

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Though marine life is present year-round, it's said that the best time to see whales in Madeira is between April and September/October. This is because there are usually more species around at this time due to both resident and migratory species being present.

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Average weather in Madeira
  • May. 19°C. Avg. Rain: 6mm.
  • Jun. 21°C. Avg. Rain: 0mm.
  • Jul. 23°C. Avg. Rain: 1mm.
  • Aug. 24°C. Avg. Rain: 1mm.
  • Sep. 23°C. Avg. Rain: 5mm.
  • Oct. 22°C. Avg. Rain: 31mm.
  • Nov. 20°C. Avg. Rain: 25mm.
  • Dec. 19°C. Avg. Rain: 18mm.


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Amazing and stable weather denotes April through November as the best time to visit Madeira. April to mid-June is known for price cuts and moderate crowds. This period can offer you unforgettable hiking among lush green vegetation, and you can join famous Madeira Flower Festival.

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