stylistic:tone, information:highlighting
Fortaleza (/ ˌ f ɔːr t ə ˈ l eɪ z ə / FOR -tə- LAY -zə, Portuguese:; Portuguese for ' Fortress ') is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. It is Brazil's 4th largest city, having surpassed Salvador in 2022 census with a population of slightly over 2.4 million, and the 12th largest city by gross domestic product. It forms the core of the Fortaleza metropolitan area, which is home to almost 4 million people.

Fortaleza is an important industrial and commercial center of Northeast Brazil. According to the Ministry of Tourism, it is the fourth most visited city and tourist destination in the country. The BR-116, the most important highway in the country, starts in Fortaleza. The municipality is part of the Mercosur common market, and vital trade port which is closest to mainland Europe, being 5,608 kilometres (3,485 mi) from Lisbon, Portugal.

To the north of the city lies the Atlantic Ocean; to the south are the municipalities of Pacatuba, Eusébio, Maracanaú and Itaitinga; to the east is the municipality of Aquiraz and the Atlantic Ocean; and to the west is the municipality of Caucaia. Residents of the city are known as Fortalezenses. Fortaleza is one of the three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador.