Rocas Atoll

Rocas Atoll
Ruins of the old lighthouse, with the new lighthouse in the background
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates03°52′S 33°49′W / 3.867°S 33.817°W / -3.867; -33.817
ArchipelagoAtol das Rocas
Total islands2
Major islandsFarol; Cemitério
Area0.36 km2 (0.14 sq mi)
Administration
RegionNortheast
StateRio Grande do Norte
Demographics
Populationuninhabited
Official nameBrazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves
TypeNatural
Criteriavii, ix, x
Designated2001 (25th session)
Reference no.1000
RegionLatin America and the Caribbean

The Rocas Atoll (Portuguese: Atol das Rocas [aˈtɔw dɐz ˈʁɔkɐs]) is the only atoll in the South Atlantic Ocean.[1] It belongs 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) west of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. The atoll is of volcanic origin and coralline formation.

  1. ^ 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