Monday, January 1, 2024

MADEIRA ISLAND

  

MADEIRA  ISLAND

32° 39′ 4″ N; 16° 54′ 35″ W

The island of Madeira is the main island of the archipelago of Madeira, located in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Portuguese coast, annexed to the European Union. It constitutes, together with Porto Santo, Ilhas Desertas and Ilhas Selvagens, the archipelago of Madeira and the Autonomous Region of Madeira, whose capital is the city of Funchal. Madeira Island has a volcanic origin, 742.4 km², extensive endemic, native and exotic flora, and its climate is typically Mediterranean in much of the south face, changing to a Temperate climate at higher elevations. The economy is largely focused on tourism.



Geography

Geographic positioning
Madeira Island is one of the largest in Macaronesia. The city of Funchal, the island's main urban center and port, is located on the south coast (32°38'29.8"N 16°54'45.6"W) and is approximately 685 km from the African coast (Cape do Sem, Morocco ), 973 km from Lisbon, 520 km from Gran Canaria, and 891 km from the island of Santa Maria, the closest to the Azores archipelago. The island has a maximum length (west-east) of 53.90 km and a maximum width (north-south) of 23 km.


Climate
The climate of Madeira, according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, is Mediterranean with hot summers (Csa) at lower levels, changing to a Mediterranean climate with cool summers (Csb) at higher levels. According to the Bioclimatic Classification of the Earth applied to the island of Madeira, it presents three bioclimates, the Oceanic Xeric Mediterranean, Oceanic Pluviseasonal Mediterranean and Hyperoceanic Temperate.

Average annual temperatures reach values above 20 degrees Celsius. The sea water temperature varies between 26 in summer and 17 in winter. The prevailing winds are from the west to the northwest in winter, and from the northeast in summer (the trade winds). Annual precipitation varies from 500 mm in the southeast of the island to over 2,000 mm on the northern slopes. The Selvagens Islands that are also part of this archipelago have a desert climate with rainfall below 200 mm annually.

It is commonly called "eastern weather", the meteorological situation of reduced visibility and increased atmospheric pollution due to the movement of hot, dusty and sandy air masses from the Sahara desert that affects the island and also the Canary Islands, more often in the summer months but not exclusively.


Landscapes
The island is very mountainous, with deep valleys embedded between the highest peaks and cliffs along the longest stretch of coastline, which totals around 160 km in length. The average altitude is 1,371.6 m, with the highest points being Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) and Pico das Torres (1,853 m). Fine sand beaches are rare. The eastern end, called Ponta de São Lourenço, forms an elongated and relatively low cape that extends to two nearby islets. On the south coast, west of Funchal, is Cabo Girão, one of the highest cliffs in the world. it has a network of levadas with great heritage and tourist value.

The vegetation cover of the island is largely forest of the laurissilva type, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The current forest contains endemic species and also plants brought by the settlers, in addition to cultivated tropical varieties, such as banana and passion fruit, between others. The volcanic soil is generally very fertile (about 3 times more fertile than that of mainland Portugal) and the mountain humidity favors the growth of exuberant vegetation.


Transport
Currently, the island of Madeira has undergone major changes in all types of transport. In terms of road transport, highways and expressways were built, which combat the island's geological obstacles, through tunnels, bridges and viaducts.

It is important to mention the expansion of the Madeira Airport runway, through the placement of 180 pillars.


LEVADA

Levada is the name given to an irrigation channel or aqueduct flanked by a pedestrian path, common on the island of Madeira. There are older examples in the Terras de Basto region, in Mondim de Basto, where the Levada de Piscaredo is located, which dates back to the 13th century. The region of Basto was where some of the original settlers of Madeira Island came from. They are also called levadas to channels, usually smaller, which carry water to the water mills.

History
On the island of Madeira, the introduction of the levadas was motivated by the need to transport large amounts of water from where it abounds, on the north-facing slopes, which are fed by the water-producing forest, the Laurissilva, to the south side of the island, more easy to live in and where most plantations have always been located, namely sugar cane.




https://visitmadeira.com/en/travel-info/



The levadas began to be built in the 16th century and the most recent date from the 1940s, promoted by the Administrative Commission of Hydraulic Uses of Madeira, supplying water to hydroelectric power stations and for irrigated agriculture.

The main springs of the levadas are found in the Natural Park of Madeira, with a series of processes taking place with the aim of promoting the candidacy of the levadas on the island of Madeira as a World Heritage Site.



Routes and Tourist Trails
Traveling through the Levadas on the island of Madeira and its trails is a cultural, scenic and impressive journey. These channels are over 3000 km long and are likely to be traversed on foot, being a much sought after way of visiting the most remote places and with the most dramatic landscapes on the island, constituting a botanical relic, since most of the routes find within the boundaries of the Madeira Natural Park.

There are several types of levadas with different levels of difficulty, most of the routes are identified. Before setting off in search of adventure, the hiker must remember that he is almost always in a mountain environment and in some cases in high mountains, which entails high risks in some places due to their remoteness and high altitude, the climate of high mountains can become unstable, so always check with the local authorities before going on an adventure, adapt the routes to your experience and level. Others are easily accessible and perfect for simple walks in the middle of nature and in the Laurissilva forest.



Levadas today
Today the levadas not only supply water to the southern parts of the island, they also provide hydroelectric power. There are more than 2,170 kilometres (1,350 mi) of levadas and they provide a remarkable network of walking paths. Some provide easy and relaxing walks through beautiful countryside, but others are narrow, crumbling ledges where a slip could result in serious injury or death.





A popular levada to hike is the Levada do Caldeirão Verde which continues as the Levada Caldeirão do Inferno. Altogether it is about 37 km (23 mi) long. Along both parts there are long sections which may cause hikers to suffer vertigo; and several tunnels for which flashlights and helmets are essential. The Levada do Caniçal is a much easier walk. This levada runs 11.5 km (7+1⁄8 mi) from Maroços to the Caniçal Tunnel. It is known as the mimosa levada because acacias (commonly misnamed mimosas) are found all along the route.







































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