PX0FF Team will be active from Fernando de Noronha, IOTA SA - 003, during October 2024.
Team - Experience contesters from Germany, Austria and Brazil.
They will operate on 160 - 6m, including 60m Band, CW, SSB, FT8(MSHV)
QSL via DJ4MX, ClubLog OQRS, LOTW.
Fernando di Noronha is a territory of respect for nature
Fernando di Noronha is the name not only of the archipelago, but also of its largest island. There are 21 islands in the archipelago, as well as small islets and the tops of underwater cliffs. Of the total area of the archipelago of 26 square kilometers, the only inhabited island Fernando de Noronha occupies 18 square kilometers. The territory belongs to Brazil, being a part of the state of Pernambuco.
Named after a patron of the arts: the history of the island of Fernando di Noronha
Europeans became aware of the existence of the archipelago at the very beginning of the 16th century. The discovery was made by the Portuguese navigator Coel, and the work of describing the islands was carried out by the Florentine Amerigo Vespucci, who was part of the Portuguese expedition. The archipelago and its largest island were named after a rich Jewish merchant Fernando di Noronha, who was one of the sponsors not only of this but also of other expeditions. He helped scientists and travelers eager to make new discoveries with money.
Up to the middle of the twentieth century, the archipelago changed hands. The Dutch, the French, the British and the Portuguese - in short, all those who sought maritime domination with varying success - tried to gain a foothold on it. In an attempt to hold the island, the Portuguese built 9 defensive structures on its territory.
In 1942, two landmark structures appeared on the island - a prison and an airport. The prison held mostly political prisoners, and the airport was used by the United States as a transit airport for flights from Brazil to West Africa.
The construction of the prison was a harbinger of an environmental catastrophe that soon brought the island to the brink. It was after the prisoners were brought to Fernando de Noronha that massive deforestation began. Soon a significant percentage of the island territory was deprived of trees and was occupied only by shrubs and grass. But at the beginning of the XIX century on the island of Fernando de Noronha there were dense oceanic forests. Today the authorities of the island are trying to prevent the impending ecological disaster by creating young forest plantations.
In the 80s of the twentieth century, most of the territory of the archipelago (approximately 70%) was allocated to the National Marine Park, the task of which is to preserve the unique marine and terrestrial flora and fauna of Fernando de Noronha. During the same period, the archipelago became part of the state of Pernambuco (Brazil).
In 2001, UNESCO included the archipelago in its list of World Heritage Sites.
Tourism is the archipelago's main source of income
Today, the only inhabited island is home to just over 3,000 people. The other islets are “permanently inhabited”. Tourism is the main source of income for the region, but only 450 tourists are allowed to stay on the territory of Fernando di Noronha at a time, and they have to pay an entry tax. And the more time they plan to spend on the island, the higher the amount of tax they will have to pay. Limiting the number of visitors is dictated by concern for the environment, the desire of the island's authorities to preserve its original nature. Tourists come here to sunbathe on the beaches and dive underwater to admire the beauty of the underwater world. It is also a paradise for surfers. Especially from December to March, when the sea is rough and you can easily catch a wave. And although there are no high-rise luxury hotels on the island, its infrastructure is nevertheless well developed. Visitors are accommodated in well-appointed houses. At their service are restaurants, cafes, tourist office, post office, hospital, as well as a bank and a police station. Life here does not abound in excesses, but is quite comfortable.
Near the coast you can see dolphins in the water, and on land you can meet sea birds and turtles. Among the birds there are endemics - vireo and Noronian elenia.
Since the island is located in the tropical zone, it is characterized by a clear division of the year into two seasons - rainy (January-August) and dry (September-December). It is best to visit Fernando di Noronha in the dry season, as this is the time when the temperature and weather are most favorable for recreation. The average annual temperature for the archipelago is +28oC.
The island is 350 km away from mainland South America, so those who arrive here may get the impression that they are in a magical lost world.
A short visit to this paradise can also tourists who choose a cruise along the coast of Brazil. Voyages are made annually, starting in October and ending in February.
In addition to those who like to ride the wave and go underwater, on the territory of the archipelago will like to relax and fishermen - sea fishing here is simply delightful. You can also take part in a sailing regatta if you have your own boat.
Beaches and underwater world of the archipelago
The water of the archipelago is very clear and transparent, so if the guests of the island have snorkeling skills - it is best to hone them from August to November, when the sea is the calmest. Visibility under water reaches 50 meters. However, it should be noted that the number of tourists who can snorkel is limited - 100 people a day.
In the waters of the archipelago swims a variety of tropical fish (about 200 varieties), and there are more than 70 varieties of crustaceans, 170 varieties of mollusks and 5 varieties of sharks. The warm and clear waters of the Inland Sea are particularly calm.
The beaches of Fernando de Noronha are some of the best in Brazil. The largest island has 17 beaches, the best of which are Baida do Sancho and Praia do Leai. However, the most visited is Consensain - the beach has magnificent landscapes. And on the picturesque and semi-deserted beach of Boldro you can not only sunbathe and swim, but also visit the ruins of one of the defensive forts built by the Portuguese. The beaches in the other bays of the island are no less beautiful.
Shark meat soup is the crowning culinary specialty of Fernando de Noronha.