Terceira Island Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, villages, main roads, secondary roads, points of interest, tourist attractions, and sightseeings on Terceira Island.

About Terceira Island

Located in the Central Group of Portugal's Azores archipelago, Terceira Island is the third largest island of the autonomous region, covering an area of approximately 153 square miles (396.75 square kilometers). The island's name "Terceira" literally means "third" in Portuguese, referring to its order of discovery among the Azores islands.

The island's main city and historical capital is Angra do Heroísmo, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. The city features remarkable 16th-century military architecture, including the impressive São João Baptista Fort. Another significant urban center is Praia da Vitória, known for its natural harbor and historic downtown area.

Monte Brasil, an extinct volcano connected to Angra do Heroísmo, forms a unique peninsula and serves as a popular recreational area. The island is also home to the Algar do Carvão, a remarkable volcanic chimney that visitors can explore, and the Furnas do Enxofre, an area of active fumaroles and sulfur vents. The landscape features numerous pastures divided by distinctive black basalt stone walls, known locally as "currais."

Terceira plays a significant role in trans-Atlantic aviation, hosting Lajes Field, a joint Portuguese-American air force base. The island is also famous for its traditional bullfighting events, known as "touradas à corda," where bulls are led through the streets by ropes. The local cuisine is renowned for its "Alcatra," a traditional meat dish slowly cooked in clay pots.