FORTALEZA is a major fishing port and fast growing tourist destination in the northeast of Brazil. In the centre there are a few interesting old buildings, including the Fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, which was the origin of the city (the name Fortaleza is the Portuguese for Fortress). The Mercado Central and the Cathedral are the major sights in the area.

The best beaches are east of town. The Praia de Iracema and the Praia do Futuro are good options; the former is preferred by intellectuals, bohemians and night partiers, whereas the later is preferred by swimmers and surfers. Along the Avenida Beira Mar there are a few more beaches, such as Meireles and Mucuripe; here, the walkway is wide, with plenty of space for joggers and walkers, who usually refresh themselves at one of the several kioskes and restaurants established along the way. The beaches are also the focal point of nightlife and entertainment.

Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, with a population of over 2.4 million, it is the fourth most populous city in Brazil and the second most important city in the region in economic terms, after Salvador in Bahia. To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the south are the cities of Pacatuba, Eusébio, Maracanaú and Itaitinga; to the east is the county of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to west is the city of Caucaia.

The City of Fortaleza