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Fortaleza, Brazil
 Fortaleza
is the capital of Ceará, a State in the northeastern of Brazil. It is
located on the coast and has a population of around 2 million inhabitant.
It is the second most important city in the region behind Salvador in
Bahia. Fortaleza has an area of 336 square km. North of the city is the
Atlantic Ocean, to the south are the cities of Pacatuba, Eusébio, Maracanaú
and Itaitinga. To the East it is the county of Aquiraz and the Atlantic
Ocean. And to west the city of Caucaia.
History
Fortaleza's history began when the Dutch constructed the Fort Shoonenborch in 1649. Later, the Portuguese expelled the
Dutch and renamed it to Forte de Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Around the fort, which even today is in perfect conservation
state, a small village grew into the fifth largest city in Brazil today. In 2004 Luizianne Lins was surprisingly elected as
mayor.
Tourism
 A complete infrastructure, three thousand hours of sun per year and the constant ocean breeze gives the full dimension
of this paradise. For those who have more energy, the nightlife is full of attractions, with bars, restaurants, and shows.
Not even on Mondays Fortaleza cools down. The city is known for having the "wildest Monday nights in the world." The Praia
of Iracema (Iracema's beach), one of the first urban nucleuses of the city, holds most of the bars and restaurants. There,
the Ponte dos Ingleses (English's Bridge), the old docks, is located and used to watch the sunset and spot dolphins.
A few kilometers away from the city are some well-known beaches as Prainha, Iguape and Porto das Dunas. In the latter
there are two large water parks.
Cultural features
Fortaleza is the home of numerous landmarks and is a popular tourist destination. Landmarks include:
- José de Alencar playhouse
- Mucuripe lighthouse
- Cathedral
- Iracema Statue
- Nossa Senhora da Assunção Fort
- Palace of Light
Sports
Fortaleza provides visitors and residents with various sport activities. There are several soccer clubs based in
Fortaleza such as Fortaleza EC, Ferroviário AC and Ceará SC.
With string winds the Praia do Futuro is an excellent place for nautical sports. Fortaleza hosts world competitions of
surfing and windsurfing
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