Maciço Montanhoso Central da Ilha da Madeira, Natural protected area in Madeira, Portugal.
The Maciço Montanhoso Central da Ilha da Madeira is a protected natural area spanning the central highlands, featuring multiple ecological zones across different elevations. The region contains plant species found nowhere else, with habitats that change as altitude increases.
The area was first identified in 1995 as a Site of Community Importance and officially designated as a protected area in 2009. This recognition established formal conservation measures for the island's distinctive natural heritage.
Mountain communities here maintain farming traditions passed down through generations, reflecting how people have adapted to life at high altitude. You can see these practices in the landscape and how locals interact with this terrain.
The area can be explored along numerous marked trails, with maps and information available at entry points. Weather changes quickly in the mountains, so checking conditions beforehand helps you plan your visit.
The area protects more than 30 species, including the rare Anthyllis lemanniana plant that grows nowhere else on Earth. This concentration of exclusive species makes this place particularly important for nature lovers.
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