Macaronesia

Macaronesia

Macaronesia is a special group of four island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean. These islands are close to North Africa and Europe. They are called the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde.

These islands are made from underwater mountains called seamounts that rose above the sea. They are all volcanic, which means they were formed from hot spots deep in the Earth. Because of this, each island group has its own special weather. Some places are very wet, while others are dry and sunny.

Many people live in Macaronesia. The most people live on the Canary Islands, but there are also homes in Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Azores. These islands have plants and animals that live nowhere else in the world. Some of these special plants are found in forests called laurisilva, which are like old forests from long ago.

People have worked to protect these special places. Since 2001, rules from the European Union help keep parts of the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands safe for nature. This way, these beautiful islands and their unique plants and animals can stay special for everyone to enjoy.