Fernando de Noronha, island group, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean, constituting a federal territory 400 km (250 mi) off the northeastern coast of the country. The largest island, also called Fernando de Noronha, is of volcanic origin; among its few economic resources are guano and salt. It was located by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and has been used by Portugal and Brazil as a penal colony. Area, 26 sq km (10 sq mi); population (1980) 1,266.