| Native name: Atol das Rocas | |
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 Ruins of the old lighthouse, with the new lighthouse in the background |
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 03°52′S 33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°WCoordinates: 03°52′S 33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°W |
| Archipelago | Atol das Rocas |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Major islands | Farol; Cemitério |
| Area | 0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi) |
| Country | |
| Region | Northeast |
| State | Rio Grande do Norte |
| Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves* | |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| State Party |  Brazil |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Reference | 1000 |
| Region** | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2001 (25th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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The Rocas Atoll (Portuguese: Atol das Rocas) is an atoll in the Atlantic Ocean, belonging to the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Norte. It is located approximately 260 km (160 mi) northeast of Natal and 145 km (90 mi) northwest of the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.
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Description
The oval atoll is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) long and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. The lagoon 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 sand dune in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of 6 metres (20 ft). Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few palm trees. There are crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.
There is a lighthouse of the Brazilian 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 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Numerous turtles, sharks, dolphins and birds live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of coral and red algae. 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.
A biological reserve, it is currently used solely for scientific research. Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by the human activities. On the other hand, it also limits the research's access to the islands and few studies have been developed in this atoll. The entomological fauna from Atol das Rocas was already recorded.[1]
Pop culture
The atoll was the site of a missile attack on a Cobra satellite communications tracking station and robotics storage center, in the G.I. Joe comic title from Marvel Comics.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Almeida CE, Marchon-Silva V V, Ribeiro R, Serpa-Filho A, Almeida JR, Costa J. 2000. Entomological fauna from Reserva Biológica do Atol das Rocas, RN, Brazil: I. Morphospecies composition. Rev Bras Biol. 60(2):291-298.
- ^ Trimpe, Herb (1991). "Double Trouble", G.I. Joe A Real American Hero, Vol. 1, No. 119.
External links
- Sigep - Brazilian Commission of Geological and Palaeobiological Sites Description with maps and pictures (English) - (Portuguese)
- UNESCO - World Heritage (English)
- Further information (German)
- Atol das Rocas on Globo.com (Portuguese)
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