Geography & Landscape
Madeira is part of an archipelago, or chain of islands that are the product of volcanic eruptions some 20 million years ago. While the island’s last eruption was some 890,000 years ago, its geological beginnings are still visible in its mountainous volcanic landscape which has been carved into lots of deep valleys and ravines – including the second highest sea cliffs in the world at Cabo Girão.
Madeira’s nearest neighbour is the small island of Porto Santo. Also part of the archipelago are two groups of uninhabited islands: the IIhas Selvagens (Savage Isles) and the three IIhas Desertas (Desert Isles).
Madeira means “wood” and the island was so named because of its great concentrations of laurel tress.
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