TERCEIRA  , an

island in the Atlantic Ocean, belonging to Portugal, and forming part of the Azores archipelago . Pop . (1900) 48,770; area, 224 sq. m . Terceira, i.e . " the third," was so called as being the third island of the archipelago to be discovered by the Portuguese . From its central position it was long the seat of administration, but its capital, Angra (q.v.) or Angra do Heroismo (pop . 10,788), has lost much of its commercial importance . The other chief towns are Ribeirinha (3090), and Praia da Victoria (3236) . Unlike the neighbouring islands, Terceira exhibits few extensive traces of volcanic action; and the summits of its mountains are generally level . It abounds in grain and cattle; but the wines are inferior, and fruits are raised merely for internal consumption .