the many beach destinations in this country, there is one that all Brazilians hold in high regard-the islands of Fernando de Noronha. More than a dozen beautiful beaches ring the island of Fernando alone, three of which rank among the top ten in Brazil. The islands of Fernando de Noronha lie a few hundred kilometers out in the Atlantic. For years, people were prohibited from visiting these islands because they were used as a prison and later by the army. Today the islands are a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with diverse bird and sea life.