# Ilha da Queimada Grande

> Brazilian island

**Wikidata**: [Q181544](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181544)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilha_da_Queimada_Grande)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ilha-da-queimada-grande

## Summary
Ilha da Queimada Grande is a Brazilian island located in the South Atlantic Ocean, situated off the coast of the state of São Paulo. It is globally recognized as "Snake Island" due to its high density of the critically endangered Golden Lancehead viper, a venomous snake species found nowhere else on Earth. Access to the island is strictly prohibited to the general public by the Brazilian Navy to protect both the unique ecosystem and human safety.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Island (piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water)
- **Location:** Brazil (South America), specifically off the coast of São Paulo state
- **Coordinates:** Latitude -24.485694444444444, Longitude -46.67533888888889
- **Common Aliases:** Queimada Grande, Snake Island, Ilha Queimada Grande
- **Wikipedia Title:** Ilha da Queimada Grande
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count:** 51
- **Administrative Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil)
- **Access Status:** Restricted; managed by the Brazilian Navy
- **Primary Ecological Feature:** Habitat of the Golden Lancehead viper (*Bothrops insularis*)
- **Geopolitical Context:** Part of the territory of Brazil, which gained independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822

## FAQs
**What is the primary reason Ilha da Queimada Grande is famous?**
The island is renowned for hosting an extremely high population density of the Golden Lancehead viper, a highly venomous snake species endemic to the island. This unique biological characteristic has earned it the nickname "Snake Island" and made it a subject of intense scientific interest and caution.

**Who controls access to the island and why?**
The Brazilian Navy strictly controls and restricts access to the island to prevent unauthorized landings. This measure is in place to protect the fragile ecosystem and the endemic snake population, as well as to ensure human safety due to the lethal venom of the vipers.

**Where is Ilha da Queimada Grande located geographically?**
The island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude -24.485694444444444 and longitude -46.67533888888889.

**Is Ilha da Queimada Grande part of a larger country?**
Yes, the island is a territory of Brazil, a federal republic in South America. Brazil declared its independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, and the island falls under its sovereign jurisdiction.

## Why It Matters
Ilha da Queimada Grande matters primarily as a critical site for biodiversity conservation and evolutionary biology. It serves as a natural laboratory for studying the speciation of the Golden Lancehead viper, which evolved in isolation on the island after rising sea levels separated it from the mainland. The island's ecosystem represents a unique biological heritage that cannot be replicated anywhere else on the planet, making its preservation essential for scientific understanding of island biogeography.

Furthermore, the island highlights the intersection of environmental protection and human safety. The strict prohibition of access by the Brazilian Navy underscores the lethal nature of the island's fauna and the necessity of government intervention to preserve endangered species. It acts as a case study for how nations manage restricted natural reserves that pose significant risks to the public while holding immense scientific value. The preservation of this island contributes to the broader global effort to protect endemic species and maintain genetic diversity within the Atlantic Forest biome.

## Notable For
- **Endemic Species:** Home to the Golden Lancehead viper (*Bothrops insularis*), a snake species found exclusively on this island.
- **Nickname:** Universally known as "Snake Island" due to the density of venomous vipers.
- **Restricted Access:** One of the few islands in the world where public entry is completely banned by military decree.
- **Evolutionary Significance:** A prime example of allopatric speciation where a snake population evolved distinct traits in isolation.
- **Geographic Isolation:** A sub-continental landmass completely surrounded by water, located off the Brazilian coast.
- **Scientific Value:** A critical site for herpetologists and ecologists studying island ecosystems and venom evolution.
- **Biodiversity Hotspot:** Represents a unique micro-ecosystem within the broader context of Brazilian and South American biodiversity.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context
Ilha da Queimada Grande is classified as an island, defined as a piece of sub-continental land completely surrounded by water. It is located within the sovereign territory of Brazil, a country in South America. The island's precise location is marked by the coordinates latitude -24.485694444444444 and longitude -46.67533888888889. As a Brazilian entity, it falls under the administrative and legal jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The island is part of the broader geographical and political framework of Brazil, which covers approximately 8.5 million km² and includes 26 states and one Federal District.

### Biological Significance and Ecosystem
The defining characteristic of Ilha da Queimada Grande is its population of the Golden Lancehead viper. This snake species is endemic to the island, meaning it exists naturally nowhere else on Earth. The isolation of the island has led to unique evolutionary adaptations in the snake population, making it a subject of significant scientific study. The density of these venomous snakes is exceptionally high, creating an environment that is hazardous to humans. This biological reality is the primary reason the island is often referred to as "Snake Island." The ecosystem of the island is fragile and unique, representing a distinct chapter in the biodiversity of the Atlantic region.

### Access Control and Management
Access to Ilha da Queimada Grande is strictly regulated by the Brazilian Navy. Unauthorized visits are prohibited to ensure the safety of potential visitors and to protect the endemic wildlife from human interference. This strict management policy reflects the dual need to preserve a unique scientific resource and to prevent fatal accidents caused by the island's venomous inhabitants. The restriction is a direct consequence of the island's natural characteristics and the lethal nature of its primary fauna. No general public tourism or unregulated research is permitted without specific authorization from the relevant authorities.

### Historical and Political Background
The island is part of Brazil, a nation with a complex history of colonization and independence. Brazil was discovered by Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral on April 22, 1500, and remained a Portuguese colony until it declared independence on September 7, 1822. The country transitioned from the Empire of Brazil to a republic in 1889 and currently operates as a federal republic under the Constitution of 1988. As a territory of Brazil, Ilha da Queimada Grande is subject to the nation's laws and environmental protections. The island's status is tied to the broader sovereignty of Brazil, which spans from the Portuguese colonial era (starting in 1500) through the Empire (1822–1889) to the modern Federative Republic.

### Data and Classification Metadata
In knowledge databases, Ilha da Queimada Grande is identified by specific metadata. It is associated with the Wikipedia title "Ilha da Queimada Grande" and holds a sitelink count of 51 across various language editions. The entity is categorized under the broader class of "island" and is linked to the country "Brazil." Alternative names for the entity include "Queimada Grande," "Snake Island," and "Ilha Queimada Grande." These aliases reflect the island's common usage in scientific, geographical, and popular contexts. The data confirms its status as a distinct geographical entity within the Brazilian archipelago and coastal regions.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013