Fortaleza
Fortaleza ([foʁtaˈlezɐ], Portuguese for Fortress) is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. It is Brazil's 4th largest city, having passed Salvador in 2023 census with a population of slightly over 2.7 million, and the 12th largest city by gross domestic product. It forms the core of the Fortaleza metropolitan area, which is home to over 4.1 million people.
Fortaleza | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Fortaleza Município de Fortaleza | |
|
Flag Coat of arms | |
| Nicknames: Fortal Miami Brasileira (Brazilian Miami) Terra da Luz (Land of Light) | |
| Motto: "Fortitudine" (Latin) | |
Fortaleza Location in Brazil Fortaleza Fortaleza (South America) | |
| Coordinates: 03°43′39″S 38°31′39″W | |
| Country | Brazil |
| Region | Northeast |
| State | Ceará |
| Founded | April 13, 1726 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council |
| • Mayor | José Sarto (PDT) |
| • Deputy mayor | Élcio Batista (PSB) |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 312.353 km2 (120.600 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 7,440.053 km2 (2,872.621 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 16 m (52 ft) |
| Population (2021 ) | |
| • Municipality | 2,703,391 |
| • Rank | 4th |
| • Density | 8,654.92/km2 (22,416.1/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 4,167,996 |
| • Metro density | 560.21/km2 (1,450.9/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Portuguese: Fortalezense |
| GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |
| • Year | 2023 |
| • Total (Metro) | $39.6 billion |
| • Per capita | $10,600 |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (BST) |
| Postal code | 60000-001 to 61599-999 |
| Area code | +55 85 |
| HDI (2010) | 0.754 – high |
| Website | fortaleza.ce.gov.br |
Fortaleza is an important industrial and commercial center of Northeast Brazil. According to the Ministry of Tourism, it is the fourth most visited city and tourist destination in the country. The BR-116, the most important highway in the country, starts in Fortaleza. The municipality is part of the Mercosur common market, and vital trade port which is closest to mainland Europe, being 5,608 kilometres (3,485 mi) from Lisbon, Portugal.
To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the south are the municipalities of Pacatuba, Eusébio, Maracanaú and Itaitinga; to the east is the municipality of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west is the municipality of Caucaia. Residents of the city are known as Fortalezenses. Fortaleza is one of the three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador.