Fernando de Noronha
Fernando de Noronha (Portuguese pronunciation: [feʁˈnɐ̃du dʒi noˈɾoɲɐ]), officially the State District of Fernando de Noronha (Portuguese: Distrito Estadual de Fernando de Noronha) and formerly known as the Territory of Fernando de Noronha (Portuguese: Território de Fernando de Noronha) until 1988, is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, part of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, and located 354 km (191 nmi; 220 mi) off the Brazilian coast. It consists of 21 islands and islets, extending over an area of 26 km2 (10 sq mi). Only the eponymous main island is inhabited; it has an area of 18.4 km2 (7.1 sq mi) and a population estimated at 3,101 in 2020. While most of the archipelago is relatively low-lying, there are parts reaching more than 100 m (328 ft) in elevation.
Fernando de Noronha | |
|---|---|
State district | |
| State District of Fernando de Noronha | |
Do Meio and Conceição beaches | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location | |
Fernando de Noronha Location in Brazil | |
| Coordinates: 03°51′18″S 32°25′30″W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| State | Pernambuco |
| Founded | August 10, 1503 |
| Founded by | Amerigo Vespucci |
| Named for | Fernão de Loronha |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Raquel Lyra |
| • General Administrator | Thallyta Figueirôa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 18 km2 (7 sq mi) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 3,101 |
| • Density | 170/km2 (450/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Portuguese: Noronhense |
| Time zone | UTC-02:00 (FNT) |
| Postal code | 53990-000 to 53999-999 |
| Area code | +55 81 |
| ISO 3166 code | BR-PE |
| Website | www |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Official name | Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, ix, x |
| Designated | 2001 (25th session) |
| Reference no. | 1000 |
| Region | Latin America and the Caribbean |
The islands are administratively unique in Brazil. They form a "state district" (Portuguese: distrito estadual) that is administered directly by the government of the state of Pernambuco (despite being closer to the state of Rio Grande do Norte). The state district's jurisdiction also includes the very remote Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, located 625 km (337 nmi; 388 mi) northeast of Fernando de Noronha. Seventy percent of the islands' area was established in 1988 as a national marine park.
In 2001, UNESCO designated it as a World Heritage Site because of its importance as a feeding ground for tuna, sharks, turtles, and marine mammals. Its time zone is UTC−02:00 all year round.