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( Rocas Atoll)
Rocas Atoll (Atol das Rocas) is an atoll in the Atlantic Ocean at location 03°52'S, 33°49'W. It is part of Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. It's of volcanic origin and coralline formation. The oval atoll is 3.7 km (2.3 miles) long and 2.5 km (1.6 miles) wide. The lagoon is up to 6&_160;m (20&_160;ft) deep and has an area of 7.1&_160;km² (2.7&_160;sq&_160;mi). The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is 0.36&_160;km² (89&_160;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 m (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 coast guard that has been in operation and maintained since the 1960s, at the Northern end of Farol Cay. 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 m (660 ft) wide channel on the North side and a much narrower channel on the West side.
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