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Isabela, Puerto Rico

Isabela, Puerto Rico
Municipality
Isabela View from Air, Puerto Rico.png
Flag of Isabela, Puerto Rico
Flag
Coat of arms of Isabela, Puerto Rico
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): El Jardín del Noroeste (The Northwest Garden)
Anthem: "Isabela, permite que me inspire"
Location of Isabela in Puerto Rico
Location of Isabela in Puerto Rico
Coordinates: 18°30′47″N 67°04′12″W / 18.51306°N 67.07000°W / 18.51306; -67.07000Coordinates: 18°30′47″N 67°04′12″W / 18.51306°N 67.07000°W / 18.51306; -67.07000
Country Puerto Rico
Founded 1819
Government
 • Mayor Hon. Carlos Delgado Altieri (PPD)
Area
 • Total 238.15 km2 (91.95 sq mi)
 • Land 143.39 km2 (55.36 sq mi)
 • Water 94.75 km2 (36.58 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Total 45,631
 • Density 190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Isabelinos
Time zone AST (UTC-4)
Zip code 00662
Website isabela.com.pr

Isabela (Spanish pronunciation: [isaˈβela]) is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the north-western region of the island, north of San Sebastián; west of Quebradillas; and east of Aguadilla and Moca. Isabela is spread over 13 wards and Isabela Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is a principal city of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The town is known as the "Jardín del Noroeste," the "Garden of the Northwest," because of the many wild flowers in its landscape. It is also knowns as el "Pueblo de los Quesitos de Hoja", the "town of Leaf Cheeses," for its production of this typical fresh white cheese wrapped in banana plant leaves, reputed to be the best. It is also known as la Ciudad de los Gallitos or the "City of the Fighting Cocks." Since the 18th century, cock fighting was very common throughout the island, and the town became famous and well known for the quality of its fighting cocks and special breeding and training techniques used by its people.

The chief Mabodamaca, one of the most important chieftains of the Island of Boriken (name for the island of Puerto Rico) during the firsts decades of the 16th century, ruled the region of the 'Guajataca' (Taíno name for the northwestern region of Puerto Rico) where Isabela was founded. Although the actual date of the origins of the first Spanish settlement is not precisely known, a small settlement/hermitage is known to have existed by the end of the 17th century or beginning of the 18th century in a great extension of land into what encompass today the municipalities of Isabela, Camuy and Quebradillas. The settlement bordered to the east with the shoreline of the Guajataca River and was located on the grounds of an earlier Taíno settlement.


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