Ilhéu

Ilhéu is a Portuguese term that refers to a small island or islet. The word comes from ilha, meaning island, with a diminutive suffix that marks a landform’s small size. In geographic naming, ilhéu is often used as part of a proper place name to designate a minor landmass near a coast or within an archipelago.

Geography and characteristics

An ilhéu typically describes a rocky or low-lying landform that rises above sea level and is separate from larger islands. Many ilhéus are uninhabited and serve as habitats for seabirds and coastal ecosystems. Some are used for navigation aids, research stations, or small-scale tourism facilities, while others remain natural or protected areas.

Toponymy and regional use

The term is widely used in Portuguese-speaking regions, including Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, and the island nations of São Tomé and Príncipe, the Azores, and Madeira. In place names, ilhéu is capitalized as part of the proper name (for example, Ilhéu das Rolas in São Tomé and Príncipe), while in general writing it may appear as a common noun when not part of a specific toponym.

Ecology and conservation

Islets designated as ilhéus often host unique ecosystems and may be designated as protected areas to conserve seabird colonies, marine habitats, or geological features. They can be important for biodiversity, coastal protection, and scientific study.

See also

Ilha, islet, toponymy.