The Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha consists of 21 islands, islets and rocks of a volcanic origin, covering a total area of only 26 square kilometers. The main island, from which the group gets its name, is an extinct volcanic cone, well over 4300 meters above the ocean floor, but only 321 meters above sea level. This island makes 91% of the total land area, measuring just 7.1 square miles; 6.2 miles long and 2.2 miles at its maximum width.

The island of Fernando de Noronha was discovered in 1503 by the Portuguese explorer Amérigo Vespucci, and given to the nobleman Fernando de Loronha in 1504 by the Portuguese king, hence its name (with one letter changed). The nobleman, Loronha, however, never set foot on the island, which, because of its strategic position, was invaded in turn by various other European nations before returning to Portuguese domination. The English, the French as well as the Dutch have occupied Fernando de Noronha along the course of the 16 and 17th centuries.

In 1772, back under Portuguese rule again, the first prisoners were sent to the island from the mainland of Brazil. With some interruptions it served as a state prison until 1938, when the Federal government decided to convert the island to be used as a political prison and penal colony during World War II. Agreements between Brazil and the United States permitted stationing of American troops on the archipelago from 1942 to 1945 and from 1957 to 1962 NASA operated a satellite tracking station here. Fernando de Noronha was under the administration of the Brazilian Military until 1981 and most of the infrastructure on the island, including the airport, roads, schools and the hospital, date from this period.

Today the island survives on tourism, limited due to its delicate ecosystem, and traditional fishing, only for local consumption. The entire archipelago has received much attention from scientists from all over the world, dedicated to the study of its flora, fauna and geology. There is a great variety of aquatic plants on Fernando de Noronha and the archipelago is home to the largest bird breeding colonies of all the islands of the Tropical South Atlantic.The Archipelago Fernando de Noronha hosts ecologic sites ideal for an exuberant marine animal life, due to its geographic location far from the continent and well within the path of the Southern Equatorial Current.

Fernando de Noronha owes the largest residential school of dolphins on earth, as well as 14 species of reef shark, hawksbill and green turtles, baracudas, a variety of rays and schooling fish of every kind and color.
The archipelago does have also an exuberant bird life. It is home to the largest bird breeding colonies of all the islands of the Tropical South Atlantic. Among the species found here are the Viuvinha, which builds it's nest in the trees and on the cliffs of the islands, using algae collected from the surface of the waters; the Viuvinha Branca, a pure white bird which lays its eggs in the forks of tree branches; the Mumbebos; the Catraia and many, many other species.
In 1988 Fernando de Noronha was declared a National Marine Park, with the goal of preserving the land and marine environment

There are many beautiful beaches to choose from on the island. Some are better adapted to diving, others to swimming, contemplation, surfing or walking. Some beaches pose coral formations and form natural pools during low tides, others are frequented by sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand, Some are densely populated with aquatic birds, others have so called "esguichos", geyser-like fountains that result from the tremendous build-up of pressure when water comes in under the coral during high tide and consequently forces itself through small openings. Every single square centimetre of the Islands are boosted by nature!