Terceira Island

Terceira is an island of the Central Group of the Azores. It covers about 400 square kilometers, is 29 km long and 17.5 km wide. On Terceira live 55 833 inhabitants ( 2001 census).

Terceira was discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators as a third of the Azores Islands, from which its name derives ( Portuguese: terceira ⇒ dt: the Third ). Originally they called their discoverer, however, Ilha de Jesus Cristo (Island of Jesus Christ).

The island's capital is Angra do Heroismo, with around 12,000 inhabitants. Terceira is populated only on the coast. The hinterland is rough and uninviting. Much of the population lives in the two cities Angra do Heroismo and Vila da Praia da Vitória. Angra do Heroismo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

The island is da Vitória divided into the two districts with 19 municipalities Angra do Heroismo and Praia with 11 municipalities.

The only airport is located in Lajes airbase Lajes Field, which is also used for civilian purposes.