Orta is the only municipality and the eponymous town in the Western part of the island of Faial in the Azores. In 2011, the population of the municipality amounted to more than 15000 people, and the area is 173, 1 sq. km. In the city of Horta has a population of about 7,000 people.

The municipality of Orta opened in 1467 Flemish aristocrat josé van Harter, who was the first colonist and Governor of the island of Faial. Orta was opened during his second expedition, and the name of the municipality comes from the surnames of the aristocrat. It is known that in 1867 the city was visited by the famous writer mark TWAIN, and in 1869 he published his book called "Simpletons abroad," in which he described the population and culture of Orta. Also in this city was born a Portuguese politician Manuel di Arriaga, who later was the first President of the Portuguese Republic.

In Horta regional Museum, which has a permanent exhibition called "Capelinhos Vulcano". This exhibition presents photographs in which visitors can see in minute detail the eruption of a volcano in the Azores archipelago, which occurred in 1957. Also among the exhibits is a collection of models of buildings, ships and people carved from the core of a Fig tree in the performance of master Aklides Rosa. For this collection in a special room devoted. The Museum building is located on the territory of the former whaling factory, so among the exhibits you can see everything that was connected with whaling.

In the city there is a beautiful Marina (Marina) that make a stop in Horta during his travels in the Atlantic ocean. Near the Marina is a Museum carved products from whale bone.