Madeira Island : The Pearl of the Atlantic
written by fabyen
on January 22nd, 2009
, 6 comments
(1 vote)
Madeira island is the result of volcanic eruptions that took place 35 millions years ago, offshore Morocco. It is today a paradise of greeny mountains, steep coasts, and a multitude of flowers and plants : undeniably a place for nature and hiking lovers.
The particularity of Madeira is “the levadas” : they are watercourses that extand all over the island. The system now compromise an impressive 2000 km of channels, including 40km of tunnels that you have to cross with a torchlight… (believe me it is hard not to think about the all the horror movies that you’ve seen when you’re in there !)
These levadas, built alongside the mountains, provide water to all the terrace cultures that cover the island.
Nature is so preserved that even the villages adapt themselves to the rough land conditions.
Another curious thing about Madeira is that it is an island without beaches…
The mountains go straight into the ocean, leaving no place for sand or pebbles… Plus it is very dangerous to bathe in the big rolls of the Atlantic sea. So they compensate by having a lot of natural swimming pools, filled by the sea… Amazing to see the waves crashing in the pools !
No wonder Madeira is called the pearl of the Atlantic! Each step leads you to a wonderful panorama. Added to that a cool weather the whole year, delicious sea-food, plants and flowers everywhere, tortuous roads along the sea, and last but nos least ! the delicious Madeiran wine…
Everyone who loves nature should go there…
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