Fortaleza

Fortaleza (Portuguese for fortress, pronounced [foh.ta.le.zɐ]) is the state capital of Ceará, located in northeastern Brazil. 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 Recife in Pernambuco. Fortaleza has an area of 336 sq km. 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.

Three thousand hours of sunlight per year and the constant ocean breeze make Fortaleza an appealing tourist attraction. The nightlife is full of festivities, with bars, restaurants, and shows. The city is known for having the "wildest Monday nights in the world"[citation needed]. Some of the best bars and clubs can be found near Dragao do Mar. The Praia de Iracema (Iracema's beach), one of the first urban nuclei of the city, holds many bars and restaurants as well. It includes the pier known as the Ponte dos Ingleses (Bridge of the Englishmen) —located near the old docks—which is used to watch the sunset and spot dolphins.

Fortaleza's urbanised beaches have warm waters. The scenery is complemented by the jangadas (small rafts used by many of Ceará's fishermen), which catch seafood for Ceará cuisine. The Praia do Futuro (Beach of the Future) is a popular meeting place for bathers, with many beachside restaurants, built in the local style using carnauba straw and called "Barracas de Praia." On Thursday nights, the beach becomes the focus of the city's nightlife, with live music, forró, and crab a popular choice to eat.

A few kilometres away from the city are other well-known beaches: Prainha, Iguape and Porto das Dunas. The last two have large water parks.

Fotaleza is served by the Pinto Martins International Airport.

Beach Park is a water park near Porto das Dunas, twenty minutes by bus outside of Fortaleza. Bico das Andreas is a mountain with waterfalls, a restaurant, and pools of cool water.

The city is always growing and has some fascinating architecture as well.

What attracts so many Brazilian and foreigners to Fortaleza? Rather than poiting one single point, it is safer to say that visitors are attracted by a combination of the sunny beaches, the busy and safe nightlife, the delicious culinary, the rich Brazilian culture, the very peaceful and friendly people. On top of that, it's worthy mentioning that Brazil is free from natural disasters, and is a country with low cost of living.

Despite being one of smallest States in Brazil, Ceará has one of the longest coastlines in the country. Fortaleza has some of the nicest urban beaches in Brazil, while Ceará has well preserved, nearly wild, unexplored beaches.