Macaronesia

The region of Macaronesia comprises

three volcanic archipelagos in the

Atlantic Ocean: the Portuguese

autonomous regions of the Azores (9

islands) and Madeira (2 islands), and

the Spanish autonomous community

of the Canary Islands (7 main islands).

Compared to other european

Overseas regions Macaronesia has

a relatively high population density

with the Canary Islands being

the most populated. The region’s

economy is strongly specialized in

the services sector, where tourism

has a prominent role, particularly in

Madeira and the Canary Islands. In

the Azores, agriculture and fisheries

remain relevant income sources.

However, economic development

also puts pressure on biodiversity

and ecosystems: Despite an

extensive network of local

protected areas and Natura 2000

sites, Macaronesia’s biodiversity is

threatened by habitat destruction and

invasive alien species.

Canary Islands - Bottlenose Dolphins © Ricardo Haroun Tabraue Azores - Celebrations of the holy spirit at Flores Islands ©Luisa Madruga

Azores - Lagoa Comprida at Flores island Nature Reserve ©Luisa Madruga

The Macaronesia region is home to 3 UNESCO Natural World Heritages sites and 12 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

There are more than 5,600 endemic species among the 23,000 existing marine and terrestrial species in Macaronesia.

Laurisilva or laurel forest is a temperate rainforest, which existed throughout Europe, but is now restricted to humid mountainous areas of Macaronesia.

Macaronesia is the only European Overseas region, which benefits from Natura 2000, a European network of protected areas.

The Azores, located at the triple junction of three tectonic plates (North American, Eurasian and African), are some of the world’s tallest mountains, measured from their deep base in the ocean to the peak.

29 of the world’s 81 whale species are found around the Canary Islands

Territories

Azores

Madeira

Canary Islands

With the kind support of:

ReGIONS OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCe7

EU OvErSEaS

Did you know?

Madeira - Native laurel forest (Laurisilva) at Madeira Nature Park

© Antonio Domingos Abreu

Canary Islands – Angel shark, critically endangered

© Carlos Suarez

Azores - Nature tourism at Corvo

© Luisa Madruga

Canary Islands – Tenerife buglossat Mount Teide

© Ricardo Haroun Tabraue

Macaronesia