Native name: Ilhas Selvagens | |
|---|---|
 A reef along the coast of Selvagem Pequena, the smaller of the main islands | |
 Location of the Savage Islands in the Atlantic Ocean | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 30°08′26″N 15°52′09″W / 30.14056°N 15.86917°W |
| Area | 2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Highest point | Pico da Atalaia |
| Administration | |
| Autonomous Region |  Madeira |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 (2000) |
| Additional information | |
| Geographic detail from CAOP (2010)[1] produced by Instituto Geográfico Português (IGP) | |
The Savage Islands or Selvagens Islands (Portuguese: Ilhas Selvagens IPA: [ˈiʎɐʃ sɛlˈvaʒɐ̃jʃ]; also known as the Salvage Islands[2][3]) are a small Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, 280 kilometres (175 mi) south of Madeira and 165 kilometres (105 mi) north of the Canary Islands.[4][5] The archipelago includes two major islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, each surrounded by a cluster of islets and reefs, with the total area of 2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi).[4] The archipelago is administered as part of the Portuguese municipality of Funchal, belongs to the Madeiran civil parish of Sé, and is the southernmost point of Portugal.
It was designated a natural reserve in 1971, recognising its role as a very important nesting point for several species of birds. Since then, the susceptible bird populations (namely Cory's shearwater) and nearby waters have been more closely protected by the Portuguese government. Given its status, remoteness and few fresh water sources, the archipelago is today largely uninhabited. The only residents year-round are stationed on Selvagem Grande Island, which includes reserve staff and scientists conducting research on wildlife.[6] Two rangers are also usually resident on Selvagem Pequena between May and October.[6] In May 2016, a National Geographic Society scientific expedition prompted the extension of the marine reserve.[6]
- ^ IGP, ed. (2010). "Carta Administrativa Oficial de Portugal" (in Portuguese). Lisbon, Portugal: Instituto Geográfico Português. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ "Geographical Names", National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- ^ King, Dean & Hattendorf, John B., A Sea of Words: A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian, Open Road Media, March 20, 2012
- ^ a b "Ilhas Selvagens (Selvagens Islands)". UNESCO World HeritageSites
- ^ Luís Carvalho, Nuno Leitão (2005)
- ^ a b c "Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health of Ilhas Selvagens, Portugal" (PDF). National Geographic Society. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 24 January 2020.