This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (September 2020) |
Native name: Ilha da Terceira | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() Location of the island of Terceira in the archipelago of the Azores | |
Geography | |
Location | Atlantic Ocean |
Coordinates | 38°43′40″N 27°12′48″W / 38.72778°N 27.21333°W |
Archipelago | Azores |
Area | 400.28 km2 (154.55 sq mi)[1] |
Coastline | 127.56 km (79.262 mi)[1] |
Highest elevation | 1,021.2 m (3350.4 ft)[1] |
Highest point | Serra de Santa Bárbara |
Administration | |
Autonomous Region | Azores |
Capital and largest city | Angra do Heroísmo (pop. 13,000) |
Demographics | |
Demonym | Terceirense |
Population | ![]() |
Languages | Portuguese |
Ethnic groups | Portuguese |
Additional information | |
Time zone |
Terceira (Portuguese pronunciation: [tɨɾˈsɐjɾɐ]) is a volcanic island in the Azores archipelago, about a third of the way across the North Atlantic Ocean at a similar latitude to Portugal's capital Lisbon, and the island group is an insular part of Portugal. It is one of the larger islands of the archipelago, with a population of 53,311 inhabitants in an area of approximately 396.75 km².
Terceira is the location of the Azores' oldest city, Angra do Heroísmo, the historical capital of the archipelago and UNESCO World Heritage Site; the seat of the judicial system (Supreme Court); and the main insular Portuguese Air Force base, Base Aérea nº 4 at Lajes, with a United States Air Force detachment.
Terceira island has two main sea ports, one at Angra do Heroísmo and the other at Praia da Vitória, and a commercial airport integrated with the flight operations at Base Aérea nº 4. The Portuguese bullfight is popular on the island, coming in two variations: the traditional equestrian bullfight (in the ring) and the popular "touradas à corda" that occur in the streets.