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ECOLOGICAL SANCTUARIES

Fernando de Noronha
(An ecological archiopelago)

Localization and History:
   There are 21 islands in Fernando de Noronha, and the main one is Fernando de Noronha, having about 17 Km2, where is Vila dos Remédios.
    It is located in a distance of 360 Km from Natal (Rio Grande do Norte) and 545 Km from Recife (Pernambuco) and was discovered in 1.503, by Gonçalo Coelho and added to the Portuguese Crown and after it was donated in 1.532 to the Pau-Brasil commerciant, Fernando de Noronha, whom has never been in the place, that was almost abandoned for a long period, being visited by English, Netherlands and Franchise pirates.
    Because of the Portuguese colonization, Netherlands and Franchise temporally occupied it, and in 1822 it started to be administrated directly by the War Ministry, lately by the Justice Ministry and in 1891 it was joined to Pernambuco. In 1942 it became national territory again, for finally being joint to Pernambuco State in 1989.
Characteristics:
    The archipelago is of volcanic formation, having dense forests, elevated plains and coves, having 19 beaches with crystalline waters.
The temperature varies among 26 and 32 º C.
In the rainy station inhabitants collect pluvial water for supplying the island.
Vila dos Remédios is the only existent island.
Around 90% of the archipelago area comprehends the Marine National Park, created in 1989.
     Main Fauna:
There is abundance of Chelonia midas, but there can be also found the rare Eretmochelys imbricata.
    But the biggest "stars" of this marine park are undoubtedly the happy dolphins Stenella longirostris. It is the symbol of the park, having as its most known habitat the Baia dos Golfinhos. Its jumps out of the water and pirouettes are the visitors happiness.
    There is also the abundant presence of Mabuya maculata, endemic in the place.
    In Fernando de Noronha there aren't aphids, and so the mice demographic density rises.
    The archipelago is rich in the marine avifauna, distinting Fregatta magnificens, Sula dactylatra and Sula sula , Anous stolidus and Anous tenuirostris.
    The terrestrial avifauna is composed by three species: Zenaida auriculata , Eleania spectablis ridleyana and Vireo gracilirostris. The last two ones are endemic.
    At its waters there are also an extraordinary subaquatic fauna.
   Ecotourism:
The ecotourism in a big resources font in the place, having as main activity in this sector the contemplative diving tourism, having a visibility up to 40 meters.
The archipelago is considered one of the most spectacular ecological places in the world.

    Recomended Bibliography:
    - NACINOVIC, Jorge B. & TEIXEIRA, Dante M. As aves de Fernando de Noronha: uma lista sistemática anotada. Rev. Brasil. Biol., 49 (3): 709-729. Agosto, 1989- Rio de Janeiro/ RJ.
    - Official Website: http://www.noronha.pe.gov.br/

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