Madeira has the most extensive and best conserved Laurissilva-type floral region in the world. It covers an area of 14,953.7 hectares, all contained within the Madeira Nature Park as a Partial Nature Reserve and a Complete Nature Reserve.
The Reserve is a Special Protection Area that comes under the Wild Bird Management Organisation and is a Site of Community Interest governed by the Habitats Authority.
It has been listed as a Biogenetic Reserve by the Council of Europe since 1992 and was included in the World Natural Heritage List by UNESCO in December 1999.
