Curious Macaronesia

Image credit: Katapult Magazine

Far out in the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and Africa, lies a mysterious archipelago whose name sounds like something out of an ancient myth: Macaronesia. The name comes from the Greek and means ‘blessed islands’ or ‘happy islands’. This region includes the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and the uninhabited archipelago of the Ilhas Selvagens. Despite their geographical dispersion, these islands share a common volcanic origin and an incredible biodiversity.

Macaronesia is a place between continents, cultures and climate zones – a treasure trove of nature, steeped in ancient legends, colonial history and unique biodiversity. The ‘happy islands’ are living proof of how diverse, mysterious and fascinating island worlds can be.

What makes Macaronesia so special is its mild, almost eternally spring-like climate and its endemic flora and fauna. Madeira and the Canary Islands, for example, are home to laurel forest vegetation that no longer exists in this form anywhere else in the world. This primeval forest, known as ‘Laurisilva’, dates back to the time of the dinosaurs and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Not forgetting the Ilhas Selvagens, small, rugged cliffs between Madeira and the Canary Islands, which are almost inaccessible and only inhabited by rangers. The world’s largest colony of yellow-billed shearwaters, a very rare bird species, lives here.

The history of the Canary Islands is also curious. In ancient times, they marked the end of the known world for the Greeks and Romans. Pliny the Elder wrote that ‘big dogs’ lived there. This is where the name ‘Islands of the Dogs’ (Insulae Canariae) comes from. Even today, two large dogs can be found on the coat of arms of the Canary Islands. And no, the canaries were not named after the islands – it was the other way round: the birds got their name because they came from there.

The Azores are also an amazing place. There is an undersea volcano there that suddenly spewed a new island called Capelinhos out of the sea in the 1950s. Today, this is a favourite spot for geologists and curious visitors. A deep-sea worm was discovered here in 2021, living in underwater caves at a depth of 500 metres. Truly a whole new chapter in biology.

Cape Verde, on the other hand, has long been a hub for pirates, slave trade and colonial expansion. Today, the islands impress with their music, especially the Morna style, which was made famous worldwide by the ‘barefoot diva’ Cesária Évora. Curious fact: there is a particularly recognised breed of goat in Cape Verde that enjoys almost more recognition than some of the country’s politicians. Perhaps this example should also be followed in other countries.

By Fatima Kutzschbach