Ceara State:
Ceara is an eastern Brazilian State located to the east of Piaui State. The State has a population of about 7.5 million people and was a focal point of the Brazilian independence struggle.
Economy and Tourism:
A number of reforms carried out from early 1990s have created a turnaround in Ceara’s economy. The state was one of the poorest in the country though now there are a number of thriving industries here producing; food products, textiles, footwear, leather and hide.
Agriculture which has been the traditional economic activity in Ceara for over a century produces; bananas, cashew nuts, cassava, coconuts and sugarcane. Fishing is also widely practiced by locals.
Tourism has also made its mark here; visitors are attracted to Ceara’s undiscovered beaches which are beautiful, clean and isolated.
Transport:
Ceara is linked to other states via a railway line which mainly transports cargo. The State is also linked to the Brazilian national highway. The State’s main airport is the Pinto Martins International Airport in Fortaleza.
Important cities:
Fortaleza is the capital of Ceara State. The City’s history dates back to the early 1500s though it probably derived its name from the fort built here by the Dutch who were later ousted by locals and the Portuguese after a short occupation of parts of Ceara. The City has an estimated 2 million residents and is one of the key commerce hubs in northern Brazil.
Other major cities in Ceara are; Crato, Aracati, Acarau, Iguatu, Aquiraz and Sobral.