Rocas Atoll
 Ruins of the old lighthouse, with the new lighthouse in the background | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 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) |
| Administration | |
| Region | Northeast |
| State | Rio Grande do Norte |
| Demographics | |
| Population | uninhabited |
Latin America and the Caribbean | |
The Rocas Atoll (
Description
The oval atoll is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) long and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. The
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 because of its importance as a feeding ground for marine life. 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.
The atoll and surrounding waters are contained in the
In popular culture
The atoll was the site of a missile attack on a
See also
References
- ^ Amado-Filho, G. M.; et al. (2012-09-17), "The mesophotic zone of the only South Atlantic Atoll is dominated byrhodolith beds", in Aguirre, Julio (ed.), IV International Rhodolith Workshop, Granada, Spain: Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, pp. 10–11
- ^ 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 (in English) - (in Portuguese)
- UNESCO - World Heritage (in English)
- Further information (in German)
- Atol das Rocas on Globo.com (in Portuguese)