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The archipelago Selvagens is constituted by two groups of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The biggest islands are Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora.
Officially discovered by the Portuguese in the XV th century, they maintained all over the years their unique status of isolation, they resist to any attempt of colonization. From the botanical point of view, both the Selvagem Grande and the Ilhéu de Fora have kept their original traits, which is not the case of other islands in the Atlantic Ocean. In a zoological perspective, they remain a truly sanctuary for the marine birds in the subtropical area of the north Atlantic.
Due to this rare species, and conditions, the archipelago has scientific interest and it constitutes a natural heritage.
In 1971 the Portuguese Government acquired the islands and proclaimed Natural Reserve Area being highly protected.
The archipelago Selvagens is a certificated area by the European Council since 1992, the only area with a unique status in Portugal. It has constant vigilance all over the year provided by the Vigilantes da Natureza (Nature watchers) and technical staff from the Parque Natural da Madeira (Natural Park of Madeira).
The archipelago Selvagens is situated half way between Madeira and Canary Islands. Although it was known since the old times, Selvagens was only, officially discovered by the Portuguese navigators Infante D. Henrique in 1438, having this name Selvagens (Savages) for being wild and inaccessible in every ways.
The Selvagem Grande has the shape of a pentagon, a wild relief and a sheer down coast, result of erosion. It has only two safe anchoring-places. On top of the island there is a plain area of 100 meters above the sea level.
The Selvagem Pequena and the Ilhéu de Fora, are 11 miles away south-west from the Selvagem Grande, together, they are the parcel most meridional among the Portuguese territory.
The Selvagem Pequena, with a very irregular shape, is low, flat, and frequently covered by calcareous sand.
The Ilhéu de Fora, is even lower and equally covered by calcareous sands.
Among the 70 species that constitutes the flora heritage of the Selvagens, it can be seen 8 taxa endemics. They are: scilla, Scilla madarensis Mnzs var. melliodora, Argyranthemum thalassophilum, Loburaria maritime var. rosula- venti, Euphorbia desfolliata etc. This latter, logdes one big apterous beetle, endemic from the Ilhéu de For a, Deucalion oceanicus.
The Team will accept only 2 IRC´s to send the QSL back to you.
All the QSL´s should be sent to:
Madeira Team
Po.Box 19 - 9001-901 FUNCHAL
Madeira Island