Savage Islands
The Savage Islands or Selvagens Islands are a small Portuguese island group in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is 280 kilometres (170 mi) south of Madeira, and 165 kilometres (103 mi) north of the Canary Islands.[1][2]
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | Coordinates: 30°08′26″N 15°52′09″W / 30.14056°N 15.86917°W |
| Area | 2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Country | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | no permanent residents (2-5 rangers and research personnel) |
Geography
The Savage Islands are part of Macaronesia (island groups of the North Atlantic Ocean, near Europe and off the coast of Morocco in North Africa). The islands is about 280 km (174 mi) from Madeira, and 165 km (103 mi) from the Canary Islands. The island group includes two most important islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, which are both surrounded by reefs, with the total area of 2.73 km2.[1] The islands are administered as part of the Portuguese municipality of Funchal, belongs to the Madeiran civil parish of Sé.
It was designated a natural reserve in 1971, it is an important nesting point for species of birds. Since then, the bird populations and nearby waters have been protected by the Portuguese government. The islands are remote and is largely uninhabited.
Savage Islands Media
Aerial photograph of the Northeastern Group, that includes Selvagem Grande
Aerial photograph of the Southwestern Group, includes several islets and Selvagem Pequena
A view of the arid plateau of Selvagem Grande (with lighthouse at the top)
Cory's shearwater roosting in her nest within the crags on the island of Selvagem Pequena
Selvages gecko (Tarentola bischoffi)
Arthropods (like this species of hermit crab) make up about 92% of the native invertebrate species
Euphorbia anachoreta is a critically endangered endemic plant species of the Savage Islands
The Portuguese Navy ship NRP Schultz Xavier anchored near the island of Selvagem Pequena
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites entry for "Ilhas Selvagens" (Selvagens Islands)
- ↑ Luís Carvalho; Nuno Leitão (2005)
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