Fortaleza

Fortaleza is the capital and largest city of Ceará state, located on the Atlantic coast in northeastern Brazil. The name Fortaleza derives from the coastal fortifications built by the Portuguese to defend the shoreline during colonial times, around the mouth of the Ceará River. The city began as a fort-based settlement in the 17th and 18th centuries and gradually developed into a major urban and administrative center.

Fortaleza is a major economic hub in the Northeast, with a diversified economy centered on services, commerce, tourism, and industry. It hosts Pinto Martins–Fortaleza International Airport and the Port of Mucuripe, connecting the region to national and international markets. The Fortaleza Metropolitan Area includes several municipalities and is among the most populous in Brazil.

The city is known for its beaches, such as Praia do Futuro, Iracema, and Meireles, and for cultural venues like the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture. The Beira-Mar Avenue waterfront is a popular promenade. Fortaleza hosts football clubs Ceara Sporting Club and Fortaleza Esporte Clube, universities including the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), and a variety of festivals and nightlife that attract visitors year-round.

Climate is tropical, with hot temperatures year-round and a distinct wet season in the first half of the year. The city’s urban beaches, culinary scene, and cultural institutions contribute to its role as a key tourist and cultural destination in the region.