Fora Islet (Portuguese: Ilhéu de Fora ("outer islet")) is an uninhabited Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, forming part of the Savage Islands, a dependant archipelago of the autonomous region of Madeira.
Native name: Ilhéu de Fora | |
|---|---|
 Satellite image of the southwest group with Selvagem Pequena (bottom-right), Fora Islet (bottom-left) and the Norte Islets (top). | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 30°02′N 16°03′W / 30.033°N 16.050°W |
| Archipelago | Savage Islands |
| Area | 0.08 km2 (0.031 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Highest point | unnamed |
| Administration | |
Portugal | |
| Autonomous Region | Madeira Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | uninhabited |
It lies about 300 kilometres from Madeira and 160 kilometres north of the Canary Islands. The islet (500 by 300 metres (1,640 ft × 980 ft)) has an area of 8 hectares and a maximum altitude of 18 metres.
The island is part of a nature reserve and is home to a variety of petrels, Cory's shearwater being one of the dominant species. The climate is dry and there is very little soil.[1]
In 19th-century English literature, the island was called the 'Little Piton'.[2][3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Long-term research on Cory's Shearwaters: Selvagens islands", Project Calonectris, accessed 2011-07-13[permanent dead link]
- ^ Knight, E.F., The Cruise of the 'Alerte' , 1890, ISBN 0-246-12312-5
- ^ Burton, Richard F., To the Gold Coast for Gold, 1883, ISBN 1-4264-3236-4
