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'Rocas Atoll' ( Atol das Rocas) is an atoll in the Atlantic Ocean at location . It is part of Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil.
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 m (20 ft) deep and has an area of 7.1 km² (2.7 sq mi). The land area of the two islets (Cemitério Island, southwest and Farol Cay, northwest) is 0.36 km² (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 m (20 ft). Both islets are overgrown with grasses, bushes and a few palm trees. There are crabs, spiders, 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.
A biological reserve, it is currently used solely for scientific research.

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See also

External links

See also

Atoll

External links

★ Sigep - Brazilian Commission of Geological and Palaeobiological Sites (''English''/''Portuguese'') detailed description, with maps and pictures]

★ UNESCO - World Heritage (English)

★ Further information (German)