en Abrolhos Archipelago

Abrolhos Archipelago
Native name: Arquipélago de Abrolhos
	Siriba Island
	Abrolhos Archipelago Abrolhos Archipelago
Geography
Location	Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	17°57′46.6″S 38°42′12.3″W / 17.962944°S 38.703417°W
Archipelago	Arquipélago de Abrolhos
Total islands	5
Major islands	Santa Bárbara
Area	50.0 km2 (19.3 sq mi)
Administration
	Brazil
Region	Northeast
State	Bahia
Administration	1st Naval District of the Brazilian Navy
Demographics
Population	uninhabited
Additional information
Official website	Abrolhos website
Abrolhos Lighthouse
Coordinates	17°57′53″S 38°41′39″W / 17.964737°S 38.694086°W
Constructed	1861
Foundation	concrete base
Construction	cast iron tower
Height	22 feet (6.7 m)
Shape	cylindrical tower with double balcony and lantern
Markings	white and black horizontal bands tower
Racon	Q
Focal height	60 metres (200 ft)
Lens	two meso-radial lenses
Range	51 nautical miles (94 km; 59 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 6s.
Brazil no.	BR-1848

The Abrolhos Archipelago (Portuguese: Arquipélago de Abrolhos) are a group of 5 small islands with coral reefs off the southern coast of Bahia state in the northeast of Brazil, between 17º25’—18º09’ S and 38º33’—39º05’ W. Caravelas is the nearest town.^[3] Their name comes from the Portuguese: abrolho ("Abre Olhos" meaning: Open your eyes),^[4] a rock awash or submerged sandbank that is a danger to ships. There is a conspicuous shipwreck in the group, SS Rosalinda.^[5]

History

These islets were surveyed by Baron Roussin. As part of the instructions for the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle, the Admiralty noted "the great importance of knowing the true position of the Abrolhos Banks, and the certainty that they extend much further out than the limits assigned to them by Baron Roussin", and asked Captain Robert FitzRoy to take soundings and establish the position of the reefs.^[6] The work was carried out from 27 to 30 March 1832, giving Charles Darwin the opportunity to examine the wildlife and geology of the islands.^[7]

Known to the Royal Navy in the First World War as the Abrolhos Rocks, the area was used as a refuelling point (coal) during Doveton Sturdee's operations against the German cruisers of Admiral Von Spee in late 1914. This operation ended with the Battle of the Falklands and the subsequent sinking of the only survivor, SMS Dresden.^{[citation needed]}

Features

Islands

Ilha de Santa Bárbara, the largest island. There is a Brazilian Navy military outpost and a lighthouse.
Ilha Siriba, the only island open to visitors
Ilha Redonda
Ilha Guarita
Ilha Sueste

Submerged banks

Parcel dos Abrolhos, a large submerged reef extending from north to south east of the archipelago. Located 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) to the east of Santa Barbara Island, its limits are not well defined.^[8]
Parcel das Paredes, located to the northwest of the archipelago and the largest feature of the wider Abrolhos.^[9]
Sebastiao Gomes Reef, Coroa Vermelha Reef and Viçosa Reef, located to the southwest of the Parcel das Paredes.
Timbebas Reef, located to the north near the coast.

Wildlife

The extensive reefs of the island group are an area of rich marine fauna. The uninhabited islets are a breeding ground for pelagic birds.^[10]

The Abrolhos Marine National Park (Portuguese: Parque Nacional Marinho dos Abrolhos) is a Marine Park located in the Abrolhos Archipelago since 1983. It is strictly forbidden to disembark on Ilha Guarita and Ilha Suest.^[11]