Images of Madeira, Portugal: Terraced Hillside, Madeira
This photo shows the terraced hillsides used to grow crops on Madeira's mountainous landscapes. Some of the many fruits grown on the island include custard apples, guava, passion fruit and pomegranate.
Construction of the dry-stone (mostly basalt) terraces (poios) and irrigation channels (levadas) began with the first settlers to Madeira in the 15th century. The first major crop was sugar which enjoyed a boom but then a bust. Later crops grown on the island's terraces included beans, corn, grapes for wine, potatoes and yams.
