The imagination gasps at the dangers overcome, the daring and above all the labour involved in construction of retaining walls that hold the terraces together. Consider the prowess necessary to tame and channel the water and build the vast and intricate network of levadas or irrigation channels. This is indeed the work of centuries.
The main agricultural products are grape for the island’s famous wine, and bananas. Production of subtropical fruits such as avocados, mangoes, "anonas" (sugar apples), passion fruit, guavas, pitangas, kiwi fruits, etc, is starting to gain insignificance. The wine grape was introduced to the island during the first quarter of the 15th century. The first vine variety to be planted was the Malvasia from Napoli di Malvasia in the Greek island of Minos. In the 17th century the Sercial, Verdelho and Boal vine varieties were introduced. These four varieties form the backbone of Madeira’s fortified wine. Vines are normally cultivated in rows a metre and a half high and planted up to 400 metres above sea level. In the highest terrain farmers use rootstock of a climbing vine that wraps itself around and is supported by trees.
The banana tree was introduced to the island in the mid 16th century, and it slowly spread across the whole island from the south coast. The first kind of banana to be introduced was the "banana da terra" or plantain which is no longer planted. Nowadays the most cultivated one is the Chinese dwarf banana.
One of the strongest characteristics of the built environment of these islands is the rural settlement. Away from the towns are scattered the charming and brightly coloured houses of farming communities that set off the natural landscape, enhancing its beauty and character. |