Ilha de Fernando de Noronha

Região Nordeste: Ilha de Fernando de Noronha

By Jordan Bingham



Geografia

The 21 islands the make up the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha rest 220 miles off the northeast coast of Brazil. The islands have a total land mass of 6.5 sq miles, though only the largest and identically named main island is populated at 2,718 people as of 2012. The islands were formed by volcanic activity, one of the factors it is believed that drew Charles Darwin to the archipelago. It afforded him the opportunity to study a landmass uniquely isolated and that perhaps could provide a unique case study for his theories on the development of early life.  

In describing the islands, Darwin states that "the whole island is one forest, & this is so thickly intertwined that it requires great exertion to crawl along. — The scenery was very beautiful, & large Magnolias & Laurels & trees covered with delicate flowers ought to have satisfied me. — But I am sure all the grandeur of the Tropics has not yet been seen by me. — We had no gaudy birds, No humming birds. No large flowers".

The climate is tropical and has two principal seasons; the rainy season which lasts from February to July, and the rest of the year which is characteristically dry.

História

As one of the first geographic features of the American continent to be spotted by sailors of the European maritime power Portugal, there is a great deal of controversy as to who may have been the first to arrive at the archipelago.  This is made evident by the fact that the islands received a great many names during the age of exploration, such as São Lourenço, São João, and Quaresma; names which indicate the numerous "discovery" dates as they represent specific saint's days.  The name which finally stuck, Fernando de Noronha, is the namesake of the Lisbon merchant Fernão de Loronha who was granted a special charter by the Portuguese monarchy.  This charter allowed Loronha and his descendants "captaincy" of the archipelago, and he subsequently established warehouses set up for trade between the Brazilian mainland and his Portuguese homeland.  

Random fact: the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucce, the man from whom we get the name America, was on this very same voyage and would go on to receive fame and acclaim for his written accounts of the "new world."

The island has worn many hats over the last several hundred years. Loronha's family only held the charter for the better part of a century. Following this, possession of the island returned to the monarchy. It would later in it's history be used as a prison and even become the home of a strategically located US military base during the Second World War.

In 1988 70% of the archipelago was designated by the Brazilian government as a maritime national park.

Economia

Given the archipelago's small population and also it's designation as a protected nature reserve, the principal facets of the economy are tourism activities which include water sports and ecotourism.

Turismo

Ilha de Fernando Noronha is best known for it's beaches. Currents of warm water from the African coast give the islands pleasant water temperatures year-round. This is also makes the archipelago a favorite among scuba divers.

Conservaçao

Most of the large trees that Darwin describes in his account were cut down while the island was being utilized as a prison. The forested areas are recovering, though it is nothing compared with the old growth that at one time existed. Similar to the rest of the American continent, invasive species have had an enormous impact on the native flora and fauna; house cats being one of the principal culprits. Other damaging introductions however, include plants and insects capable of out-competing their native counterparts.

In 2001, Ilha de Fernando de Noronha was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site for it's diverse wildlife and it's importance to the world ecosystem, affording additional protections under the United Nations.

Ilha de Fernanado de Nornha is truly a unique place. Would you dedicate time to visit the island on a vacation to Brazil?

https://youtu.be/V_-UWshfynE

http://visitbrasil.com/en/destinos/fernando-de-noronha.html