The Laurissilva of Madeira Island is a unique botanical relic, the origins of the laurel forest date back around 20 million years ago. At that time, this forest covered a vast area in the south of Europe and the Mediterranean. Due to the different glaciations in Europe at the beginning of the Quaternary, the “laurisilva” disappeared in a great part of Europe.
The term “Laurissilva” comes from two Latin words Laurus (Laurel) and Silva (Forest). This forest is classified by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage site since 1999.
