Noronha

Noronha, FERNANDO, a group of small islands belonging to Brazil, in the South Atlantic, about 200 miles ENE. of Cape San Roque. The group, which comprises a main island, 6½ miles long and about 2 broad, and several smaller islets, is of volcanic character, phonolite and other rocks of late formation resting on a foundation of basalt. A curious calcareous sandstone is also common, consisting of sand and fragments of shells, rendered firm by the action of water. The climate is healthy, and the trade-winds keep the temperature moderate. The islands are fertile, and maize, sugar, sweet potatoes, casavas, melons, and bananas are raised. The low hills and valleys of the main island are thickly wooded; a sort of fig (Ficus noronha), like the Banyan (q.v.), drops aerial roots from its branches. The group was visited in 1775 by Captain Cook, and in 1832 by Darwin, who investigated its geology. The Challenger Expedition explored the smaller islands. The main island has been made a penal settlement, where about 1500 convicts are kept, guarded by 200 soldiers.