Brazil: Fernando de Noronha

There is no question that you will come across some incredible destinations on your trip to Brazil, but the country’s mainland isn’t the only place worth discovering. Take some time to check out the beautiful islands in the South Atlantic, which are true paradises that deserve a visit.
One of these hidden paradises is Fernando de Noronha, which is home to not only breathtakingly beautiful nature, but also has a unique history for you to discover. It should first be noted that this place is not just a single island, but rather an entire archipelago of 21 islands.. The largest of the islands is the only one that is inhabited and bears the well-known name "Fernando de Noronha". The archipelago officially belongs to the state of Pernambuco and is accessible by only two airports. If you are interested in visiting this island, it is only possible to do so from the cities of Recife or Natal. However, if this isn’t an issue for you, and you decide to make the journey out to Fernando de Noronha, you certainly won’t regret it.

Once you arrive at your destination, you will quickly realize that the island is hard to beat in terms of beauty. But to whom do we owe the discovery of this archipelago? If we look back a few hundred years in history and make a short stop in 1503, we find ourselves transported back to a time when new worlds were being discovered.
It wasn’t just famous sailors like Christopher who went on adventurous expeditions. Another Italian explorer by the name of Amerigo Vespucci also wrote a significant part of our history at that time. The Florentine explorer carried out voyages of exploration under the Spanish and Portuguese crowns. On one of his voyages financed by the Portuguese entrepreneur Fernao de Noronha, the Italian navigator came across the now popular group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. At the time, greater attention was paid to the development of the Brazilian coastal areas, as that was where the coveted "brazilwood" grew, and the resource was an important dye plant and could be sold in Europe at high prices. The merchant Fernao de Noronha was particularly interested in the discovery of this plant and hoped it would generate attractive business in his homeland. The use of brazilwood also significantly contributed to the pioneering of new territories which led Amerigo Vespucci, according to tradition, to come across the islands in 1503, which are located about 250 miles (400 kilometers) off the coast of Brazil. The archipelago owes its name to the financier of this voyage of discovery, who, by the way, never visited the islands himself.

After the existence of the islands was known, they were occupied by the peoples of various nations... the English, Dutch, and French established their presence on the land until the territory was reconquered by the Portuguese.
At the beginning of the 18th century, fortresses were constructed and the island of Fernando de Noronha served as a prison, especially during the Second World War when many political prisoners were brought to the island. In the years that followed, the place was administered by a wide variety of countries until the archipelago was finally officially incorporated into the Brazilian state of Pernambuco in 1988. In the same year, the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park was founded, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
This title is well deserved as the rich flora and fauna are absolutely worth protecting. Beautiful natural beaches, turtle and dolphin sighting, as well as paradisiacal diving and surfing spots are just a few reasons why Fernando de Noronha is a dream destination for many travellers. In order to explore the island extensively and to have enough time to visit the beautiful nature, you should dedicate at least one week for your visit.
If you also want to visit an island paradise, but want to avoid an additional flight, Brazil has a plan B for you. Another highly recommended excursion is to Ilha Grande, which is easy to reach from Rio de Janeiro with an uncomplicated transfer, and is a natural paradise whose visit is definitely worthwhile. Check out our versatile individual travel packages and discover the destinations that will make your vacation to Brazil unforgettable.

Source: www.ilhadenoronha.com.br