Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceara, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population of over 2.5 million (metropolitan region over 3.4 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil. It has an area of 313 square kilometres (121 sq mi) and one of the highest demographic densities in the country (8,001 per km2). To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the south are the cities of Pacatuba, Eusebio, Maracanau and Itaitinga; to the east is the county of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west is the city of Caucaia. Residents of the city are known as Fortalezenses.
The current mayor is Luizianne Lins a former academic at the local Federal University of Ceara and well known feminist. On Beira-mar Avenue, kiosks and restaurants offer regional seafood, Sushi, Brazilian dishes and many more varieties of food; there are also many bars which provide anything from beer to cocktails. At the handcraft fair (the feirinha), many stands show embroidery and leather work, as well as jewelry and regional food or artisinal cachaca. Of the urban beaches in Fortaleza, Praia do Futuro is the most frequented and is characterized by restaurants along the beach, each one with its own musical style and decoration.
The most popular sport in Fortaleza, like the rest of Brazil, is football (soccer). The main games of the Ceara State Championship are played in Fortaleza. There are several association football (soccer) clubs in Fortaleza. The most important ones are Ceara SC, Fortaleza EC and Ferroviario AC. Ceara was promoted to the Brazilian Serie A in 2010, meanwhile Fortaleza was relegated to the Brazilian Serie C, while Ferroviario plays no national league this season. Fortaleza is one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which Brazil is the host nation.
Facts:
Name: Fortaleza
Province: Ceara
Population: 2,505,552
Elevation:21 m (68.9 ft)
Geography: Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth is nestled in the shelter of Algoa Bay
Climate: Sub-tropical with winter rainfall. The city has mild temperatures ranging from 20° to 9°C during winter, and 25° to 17°C during summer.
Key Economic Sectors: Motor Industry, Tourism |
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