PORTUGAL ~ Levadas - MADEIRA - UNESCO tentative list ~

... Nice nature view... Madeira Levada walks are unique hiking trails that follow a network of irrigation channels excavated in the rocks... these levadas were originally constructed to transport water from the wet regions in the north to the drier agricultural areas in the south... today, they offer an extensive system of picturesque paths that wind through lush forests, alongside steep mountainsides and across breathtaking landscapes... including the UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva forests, exotic flora and fauna, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean... sometimes relatively easy paths, others through tunnels or walking several minutes on the edge... they are one of Madeira’s best-known features...Thanks a lot Elsa!❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

The origin of the levadas dates back to the first quarter of the 15th century. They were engineered by Portuguese settlers to provide water for drinking and agriculture. Most levadas you come across in Madeira are actually still in use.  The word ‘Levada’, which is derived from the Portuguese verb ‘levar’ which means ‘to bring’.

There are about 200 Levadas in total, the majority state owned, others are private. Typical Madeira Island Levadas are no more than a meter wide, swinging the average depth between 50 and 60 cm. The canal side runs a path that rarely exceeds half a meter wide and is known as fret or terrace.  

 

Stamp:

Portuguese Numismatics 

(Issued 22-04-2020)

PORTUGAL ~ MADEIRA ~

... All in one great postcard🙂... many lovely tiny views and map coming from a picturesque island also known as the "pearl of the Atlantic"... a floating garden in the ocean... this subtropical paradise offers exotic wildlife, world-renowned gardens, crystal clear waters, spectacular coastlines and jagged peaks... the waters surrounding Madeira are teeming with marine life, which gives you the chance to see birds, dolphins and 15 different species of whales up close... while the capital Funchal boasts an architectural charm and rich maritime heritage... Héééél Erg Bedankt Dorien & Roel! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Arquivo DIMA

The island of Madeira is at the 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. 

The archipelago consists of 1 large and several smaller islands; Madeira, Porto Santo, Deserted and Savage islands. 

Since 1976, the archipelago has been one of the two Autonomous regions of Portugal , the other being the Azores. It is an outermost region of the European Union.

 Stamp:

Personalized & Private Mail by Openmail 

Series: Portugal 

(Issued 2019)

PORTUGAL ~ Madeira ~

... Lovely views from a tiny picturesque island also known as the “pearl of the Atlantic”... a floating garden in the ocean off the north west coast of Africa... this subtropical paradise offers exotic wildlife, world-renowned gardens, spectacular coastlines and jagged peaks, while the capital Funchal boasts an architectural charm and rich maritime heritage... Thanks a lot Sabine! (✿◠‿◠)

Photo: llidio Gon çalves

The island of Madeira is at the 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.

The archipelago consists of 1 large and several smaller islands; Madeira, Porto Santo, Deserted and Savage islands. 

Since 1976, the archipelago has been one of the two Autonomous regions of Portugal , the other being the Azores. It is an outermost region of the European Union.

Stamp: 

Epic Fishing Campaigns 

(Issued 30-06-2022)

PORTUGAL ~ Madeira - Marine Wildlife ~

... Wonderful marine mammals postcard🐬🐳... the vulcanic archipelago of Madeira is one of the most isolated islands in the North Atlantic ocean and a haven for these animals... up to 28 species of whales and dolphins are registered for passing by during specific seasons... many tourists go on boat trips around Madeira hoping to see those beautiful creatures in their natural habitat... also one of the rarest seals in the world, the Monk Seal can still be found in here... Thanks a lot Amelia!❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Photo: Maro Livramento e 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. The archipelago consists of 1 large and several smaller islands; Madeira, Porto Santo, Deserted and Savage islands.

The capital and largest city is Funchal.

Since 1976, the archipelago has been one of the two Autonomous regions of Portugal , the other being the Azores. It is an outermost region of the European Union.

Stamp:

Definitives - Portuguese Numismatics

(Issued 24-01-2022)

PORTUGAL ~ Madeira - Santana ~

...  Great postcard coming from the island Madeira also known as the “pearl of the Atlantic”... a floating garden in the ocean... Santana is a beautiful village and one of this Portuguese island’s most important tourist destinations, mainly because of the traditional palheiros that are found there... these typical small triangular, thatched-roof houses represents the way that houses used to be built in Santana, a few decades ago... now restored they are used as shops and tourism office... Thanks a lot Sabine!!❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Photo: Angel Hernández
Santana is a municipality located  the north coast of the island of Madeira, in the Portuguese archipelago.

These small houses, built of natural stone and thatched with straw, were built using the resources at hand: stone or wood for the walls and straw from the once-abundant wheat fields for the roof. (the straw needed to replace the roofs every four or five year).  Inside there is an attic for storing agricultural products and a ground floor divided into two rooms, one of which was the bedroom. Cooking was done outdoors.

Stamp:

Houses of the Mediterranean
(Issued 09-07-2018)

MADEIRA ~ Map ~

...Beautiful map showing a lush green island...known as the "Pearl or the Garden of the Atlantic"... a tropical archipelago with a wonderful subtropical climate and breathtaking scenery...Thanks Anastasia!! ㋡

Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago situated in the north Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Portugal. The archipelago consists of 1 large and several smaller islands; Madeira, Porto Santo, Deserted and Savage islands.The capital and largest city is Funchal.

The landscape remembers its volcanic origin and it is the largest island of this archipelago with an area of 741 km2 (286 sq mi), a length of 57 km (35 mi) while approximately 22 km (14 mi) at its widest point.

Since 1976, the archipelago has been one of the two Autonomous regions of Portugal , the other being the Azores. It is an outermost region of the European Union.


Stamp:

Madeira - Self Adhesive
(Issued 19-01-2015)

MADEIRA ~The Laurisilva - UNESCO~

...Beautiful new UNESCO site... Maderia's natural beauty... a magical forest... it is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest... the levados are long narrow water channels invented by the early settlers for moving water to where it was required... now used for walking in the forest...  home to endemic bird species such as the Madeira long-toed pigeon.... with great Darwin stamp.. Thanks a lot!!




The laurisilva is an ancient forest that had been virtually wiped out. It once covered much of southern Europe tens of millions of years ago but now only a few small pockets on islands of the Atlantic Ocean exist. Madeira has the largest of them.( it makes up about 20 per cent of

The forest is mainly comprised of evergreen trees and bushes with flat, dark green leaves. It’s also referred to as a ‘laurel forest’ although not all the plants are actually from the laurel family. The laurisilva of Madeira has at least 76 types of native plants as well as the animals which rely on them.

Stamp:

The 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Charles Darwin
(Issued 12-02-2009)