Praia do Norte is a civil parish of the municipality of Horta, located along the northern coast between Cedros and Capelo, on the Portuguese island of Faial, in the archipelago of the Azores. The population in 2011 was 250, in an area of . It is the least populous parish on the island, reached along the Estrada Regional E.R.1-1ª regional roadway from the urban centre of Horta. It contains the localities Cerca, Fajã and Praia do Norte.
History
thumb|235px|left|A view of the parochial church under the green cone of Cabeço do Fogo, that destroyed many homes in 1672
This parish, and its church, were first referenced on 30 June 1567, with the first five parishes of the municipality of Horta. Its fertile soils (which produced many of the islands cereals, beans and fruits) were situated in the area known as Nicho, a biforkation between the regional roadway and Norte Pequeno, that stretched to the road at Quinta. the Marine Accident Investigation Branch noted several failures including lack of crew management and procedures on the part of the operator, the inexperience and lack of seamanship of the master, and lack of proper nautical charts and anchoring experience. The accident brought world attention to Fajã da Praia, Faial and the Azores.
Geography
thumb|235px|The stone and black sand beach of Fajã da Praia do Norte
thumb|235px|The microclimate makes summer homes and adegas (wine cellars) a popular fixture of Fajã
The parish is part of the Capelo Volcanic Complex, a geologic area of layered ash and pyroclastic deposits produced less than 10,000 years ago. The rural town occupies the space along the regional roadway, while summer homes and some permanent residents occupy the "fajã" along the coast, known as Fajã da Praia do Norte.
A fajã is the term used to define a small extension of land, located along the ocean, formed from rock debris or a volcanic delta from lava meeting the ocean. The bay in Fajã is protected cove, sheltered by steep arriba covered in Laurasilva forest, that developed from the historic eruption of Cabeço do Fogo (1672-1673). The geological formation and the existence of a micro-climate allows human habitation, making it an ideal destination for tourists and local summer homes, as well as the adega wine cellars.