Fernando do Pão, an island on the W. coast of Africa, lying in the Bight of Benin, about 20 miles from the mainland, in N. Lat. 3° 25', E. Long. 8° 50'. It is about 44 miles in length from N.N.E. to S.S.W., and about 20 in breadth. The coasts are steep and rocky, and the interior is mountainous. A ridge of mountains towards the centre of the island rises to the height of 8000 feet, and is terminated at each extremity by a peaked mountain—the one at the N. extremity attaining a height of 10,700 feet. The southern extremity of the island is also intersected by several steep mountains, varying from 1000 to 3000 feet. These mountains are covered, most of them to their summits, together with the intervening valleys, with dense forests of shrubs and lofty trees of luxuriant growth. The rocks are of volcanic origin; and the soil is rich and fertile, producing rice, sugar-cane, cotton, tobacco, yams, palms, &c. Sheep, goats, fowls, turtle, and fish, are abundant. The climate is salubrious, though the rainy season lasts from May to December, and is succeeded by a season of dense fogs. The harbours are small, the largest being Port Clarence on the northern shore. This island was discovered in 1471 by a Portuguese navigator, whose name it bears. It was taken possession of by Spain in 1778, but abandoned in 1782. The English in 1827 formed a settlement here, but relinquished it in 1834; the Spaniards resumed possession of it in 1844, and have given it the name of Puerto de Isabel. The native population is estimated at about 15,000.