Classic Atoll in the Atlantic Ocean

lenseman

lenseman

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General Knowledge question.

Can anyone name and locate (Lat-Long) the atoll located in the Atlantic Ocean? :)

I never knew one existed as it is not visible or marked on Google Earth! I was researching another group of islands in the Pacific and discovered by accident the Atlantic atoll.

I wonder if anyone else knows of the location, a virtual pint to the first person? :rolleyes:

No cheating or Googling!! :eek:

ps: not in the Caribbean.
 
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I think that ATol das Rocas is part of the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge. It is not a true atoll, i.e. land supported by coral.
 
Tradewinds said:
Please put us out of our misery :D
Click to expand...

Sorry I have not replied to anyone but I was called away on business plus my elder sister was rushed into hospital in Kent with a suspected heart attack.

As was correctly guessed by a few and those that PMed me it is Rocas Atoll located at 3° 52′ 0″ S, 33° 49′ 0″ W.

From Wikipedia:

The oval atoll is 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) long and 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide. The lagoon is up to 6 metres (20 ft) deep and has an area of 7.1 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi). The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is 0.36 square kilometres (89 acres). Farol Cay accounts for almost two thirds of the aggregate area. The highest point is a sand dune in the south of larger Farol Cay, with a height of 6 metres (20 ft). Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few palm trees. There are crabs, spiders, scorpions, sand fleas, beetles, large roaches, and many species of birds.

There is a lighthouse of the Brazilian Navy that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Bay. In its vicinity is a derelict lighthouse from 1933.

The atoll is a wildlife sanctuary, and in 2001 was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Numerous turtles, sharks, dolphins and birds live in the area. The atoll consists mainly of coral and red algae. The coral ring is almost closed, with a 200 metres (660 ft) wide channel on the North side and a much narrower channel on the West side.

A biological reserve, it is currently used solely for scientific research. Due to their remote location, the islands remain largely undisturbed by the human activities. On the other hand, it also limits researchers' access to the islands and few studies have been developed in this atoll. The entomological fauna from Atol das Rocas was already recorded.

Enclosed is a GIF file of the atoll.
 
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