Ilha da Trindade Together with its neighbour, Martim Vaz, this is the eastern-most part of Brazil - lying about 800 miles off the east coast of Vitória (about a third of the way across the Atlantic). The colourful volcanic rock and coral that make up the archipelago are a stunning sight. Ilha da Trindade, though discovered by Portuguese explorers (or rather a Spanish explorer, Juan de Nova - better known by his Portuguese name João da Nova, who sailed from Lisbon in the name of Portugal), was once claimed as British soil by the famous astronomer, Edmund Halley, and subsequent attempts to control the islands eventually gave way to Brazilian domination. Ilha da Trindade has no permanent population, but there is a Brazilian military outpost on the island. Tourism is not really feasible due to the extreme remoteness and inaccessibility of the island as well as the lack of facilities and accommodation. However, the area is of intense interest to scientists, and is still seen as a strategically valuable asset to Brazil. Powered by AkoComment! |
