A mountainous spine runs the length of the island, and Pico Ruivo, the highest peak, reaches 1,861 meters (6,106 ft) above sea level.

Basalt and volcanic ash are common substrate rocks, with some areas of uplifted limestone of marine origin.

The volcanic soils are generally fertile, sustaining both the native forests and agriculture on the two larger islands.

The laurissilva is similar to the ancient subtropical forests of the Mediterranean Basin, prior to its climate cooling and drying during the ice ages.

The paleobotanical record of Madeira reveals that laurissilva forests has existed in this island for at least 1.8 million years.

The predominant trees are Laurus novocanariensis, Ocotea foetens, Persea indica, and Clethra arborea.

[3][2] Dry laurisilva is found on south-facing slopes, and predominant trees are Apollonias barbujana, Laurus novocanariensis, Picconia excelsa, Visnea mocanera, and Clethra arborea.

Understory plants include the giant cranesbill Geranium maderense, the Madeiran squill (Scilla madeirensis), and the endemic orchids Dactylorhiza foliosa and Goodyera macrophylla.

[2] Along the southern coast, low forests dominated by the endemic wild olive tree (Olea europaea subsp.

cerasiformis) and the shrubs Maytenus umbellata, Chamaemeles coriacea (a Madeiran endemic), Dracaena draco, and Asparagus scoparius survive in coastal ravines up to 200 metres (660 ft) elevation.

[5] The laurissilva forests of the island of Madeira have been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

[3] Berthelot's pipit (Anthus bertheloti) and Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria) are Macaronesian endemics.

The plain swift (Apus unicolor) breeds on Madeira and the Canary Islands, and ranges over northwestern Africa.

[2] Two bats inhabit the islands – the Madeira pipistrelle (Pipistrellus maderensis), a Macaronesian endemic, and a subspecies of lesser noctule (Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus).

The Madeiran wall lizard (Teira dugesii) lives on Madeira, Porto Santo, the Desertas, and the Selvagens.

A system of levadas, water channels 80 to 150 centimetres (31 to 59 in) wide, was constructed of stone and later concrete to irrigate the sugarcane fields.

The Madeira Islands laurel forest was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, covering an area of 150 square kilometres (58 sq mi).