The Madeiran archipelago is famous for its friendly people, exceptional natural beauty and mild climate. Madeira Islands are just a short trip from Europe, to a destination where you can combine holidays on the beach, in the mountains or in the city. Madeira and Porto Santo are the ideal places to relax and restore the balance of mind and body that you need to face the stress of daily life. The islands of Ilhas Desertas is famous for its quite landscape without any tourist on it.<br /><br />The soil in Madeira is of volcanic origin, consisting mainly of basalt, trachytes and trachydolerites, tufa, scoria (clinker) and conglomerates.<br />Over time, the volcanic rock disintegrates under the erosion of sun and rain and produces a variety of soils. In general terms, these soils are clayey, acid, rich in organic material, magnesium and iron, poor in potassium and adequate in phosphorus.<br /><br />Basalt predominates at lower altitudes, and is the origin of more or less clayey dark or reddish-brown soils. Trachytes are grey or dark-grey rocks found above 300 metres. Trachydolerites are lighter coloured and are found at very high altitudes. Tufa is solidified volcanic mud and occurs in two forms: pedra mole, which is yellow, and cantaria de forno, which is red. They have a variable composition. Scoria is solidified cellular lava, dark (sometimes purple) in colour, and porous in texture. Conglomerates are formed from basalt and tufa detritus.<br /><br />Madeira is also very famous for its natural environment, where the most important feature is the Laurissilva Forest, a relic of the Tertiary Age, which has been classified by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site. It is no less well known for its year-round outdoor activities.