Abstract. We present a study of the LMC compact H ii region N 11A using Hubble Space Telescope imaging observations which resolve N 11A and reveal its unknown nebular and stellar features. The presence of a sharp ionization front extending over more than 4 (1 pc) and fine structure filaments as well as larger loops indicate an environment typical of massive star formation regions, in agreement with high [O iii]/Hβ line ratios. N 11A is a young region, as deduced from its morphology, reddening, and especially high local concentration of dust, as indicated by the Balmer decrement map. Our observations also reveal a cluster of stars lying towards the central part of N 11A. Five of the stars are packed in an area less than 2 (0.5 pc), with the most luminous one being a mid O type star. N 11A appears to be the most evolved compact H ii region in the Magellanic Clouds so far studied.
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