Terceira Island
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) |
| Coastline | 127.56 km (79.262 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,021.2 m (3350.4 ft) |
| Highest point | Serra de Santa Bárbara |
| Administration | |
| Autonomous Region | Azores |
| Capital and largest city | Angra do Heroísmo (pop. 13,000) |
| Demographics | |
| Demonym | Terceirense |
| Population | 53,244 (2021) |
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Ethnic groups | Portuguese |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
Terceira (Portuguese pronunciation: [tɨɾˈsɐjɾɐ]) is a volcanic island in the Azores archipelago of Portugal, 1,181 km (734 mi) due west of Lisbon. 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 (153.19 sq mi).
Terceira is the location of the Azores' oldest city, Angra do Heroísmo, the historical capital of the archipelago and a 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 Lajes.
Portuguese bullfighting is popular on the island, in two versions: the traditional equestrian bullfight (in the ring) and the popular "tourada à corda" that occurs in the streets.