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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 03°52′S33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°W /-3.867; -33.817 |
| Archipelago | Atol das Rocas |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Major islands | Farol; Cemitério |
| Area | 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Northeast |
| State | Rio Grande do Norte |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
| Official name | Brazilian Atlantic Islands:Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Designated | 2001(25thsession) |
| Reference no. | 1000 |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
TheRocas Atoll (Portuguese:Atol das Rocas[aˈtɔwdɐzˈʁɔkɐs]) is the onlyatoll in the SouthAtlantic Ocean.[1] It belongs to theBrazilianState ofRio Grande do Norte. It is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) northeast ofNatal and 145 km (90 mi) west of theFernando de Noronhaarchipelago. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.
The oval atoll is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) long and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. Thelagoon is up to 6 metres (20 ft) deep and has an area of 7.1 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi). The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is 0.36 square kilometres (89 acres). Farol Cay accounts for almost two-thirds of the aggregate area. The highest point is a sanddune in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of 6 metres (20 ft). Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a fewpalm trees. The population consists of crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.
There is a lighthouse of theBrazilian Navy that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Bay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.
The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated byUNESCO as aWorld Heritage Site because of its importance as a feeding ground for marine life. Numerousturtles,sharks,dolphins andbirds live in the area. The atoll consists mainly ofcoral and redalgae. The coral ring is almost closed, with a 200 metres (660 ft) wide channel on the north side and a much narrower channel on the west side.
The atoll and surrounding waters are contained in theAtol das Rocas Biological Reserve. The reserve it is currently used solely forscientific research. Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by human activities. On the other hand, the remoteness also limits researchers' access to the islands and few studies have been developed on thisatoll. Theentomologicalfauna from Atol das Rocas have been recorded.[2]
World Heritage Sites in Brazil | ||
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| Northeast Region |
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| Central-West Region |
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| National | |
