Savage Islands

Savage Islands

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
Area	2.73 km2 (1.05 sq mi)
Highest elevation	163 m (535 ft)
Highest point	Pico da Atalaia
Administration
Portugal
Autonomous Region	Madeira
Demographics
Population	no permanent residents (2-5 rangers and research personnel)
Additional information
Geographic detail from CAOP (2010) produced by Instituto Geográfico Português (IGP)

The Savage Islands or Selvagens Islands are a small Portuguese island group in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is 280 kilometres (175 mi) south of Madeira, and 165 kilometres (105 mi) north of the Canary Islands.

Geography

Aerial photograph of the Northeastern Group, that includes Selvagem Grande

Aerial photograph of the Southwestern Group, includes several islets and Selvagem Pequena

The Savage Islands are part of Macaronesia (island groups of the North Atlantic Ocean, near Europe and off the coast of Morocco in North Africa). The islands is about 280 km (174 mi) from Madeira, and 165 km (103 mi) from the Canary Islands. The island group includes two most important islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, which are both surrounded by reefs, with the total area of 2.73  km². The islands are administered as part of the Portuguese municipality of Funchal, belongs to the Madeiran civil parish of Sé.

It was designated a natural reserve in 1971, it is an important nesting point for species of birds. Since then, the bird populations and nearby waters have been protected by the Portuguese government. The islands are remote and is largely uninhabited.