Fernando de Noronha

Archipelago of small islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Brazil, about 300 km/186 mi northeast of Cabo de São Roque, and covering a total of 26 sq km/10 sq mi. Only one of the islands is inhabited, by a population (1996) of 2,000, consisting mainly of fishermen, civilians, and the military, who control the territory. The islands have been designated a Marine National Park, and are used for navigational purposes on the Dakar-Pernambuco air route.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit the islands, in 1503. In 1783, the Portuguese built the Fort dos Remédios. The remains of the fort still exist, as well as a deserted town nearby. The islands were used as a penal settlement into the early 20th century.