Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
| Isla Verde | |
|---|---|
 Welcoming Skyline of Isla Verde |
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| Coordinates: 18°26′22″N 66°00′36″W / 18.43944°N 66.01000°W | |
| Territory | Puerto Rico |
| Municipality | Carolina |
| District | Santurce |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,484 |
Isla Verde (Spanish for "Green Island") is a District of Carolina located east of Santurce (south western front of Piñones) next to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport above the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge. Isla Verde is the area just outside the capital of Puerto Rico that links with the college town of Río Piedras and the residential counterpart surroundings of Hato Rey which includes the neighborhoods of Baldrich and University Gardens revolving around Golden Mile's financial district.
Isla Verde is also the name of the big island some 400 meters north of Punta Medio, with a size of just 2,518 m² (0.6 acres). It is the island that gave name to the district. The island falls within the Cangrejo Arriba barrio of Carolina. The district of Isla Verde is in fact the coastal area of Cangrejo Arriba. Isla Verde is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west by the San Juan area of Ocean Park (Santurce), to the east by Loíza and to the south by downtown Carolina. Isla Verde, along with Condado, is one of the main tourist areas in the metropolitan area of Puerto Rico, hosting various restaurants, hotels, casinos and discothèques.
The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, which many people mistakenly think is situated in San Juan, is actually located in the Isla Verde area, which, as aforementioned, belongs to the city of Carolina. For almost four years, the airport was given the unofficial "Isla Verde International Airport" title, both by locals and visitors. Residents of Isla Verde tend to downplay the fact that the area is technically part of Carolina, since culturally and socially Isla Verde is more akin to Ocean park and Condado which are both nearby and part of Santurce, one of the capital's historic districts. Since the airport's creation and up until the September 11, 2001 attacks, aviation fans could enjoy a day at the beach and, at the same time, watch the aircraft land or take-off at a specially designed spot located near Piñones, Loíza. As a consequence of the attacks, the spot was closed to the general public, due to the fact that it might compromise airport security. Because of the airport's location in the Isla Verde area, some streets have had to be closed several times during visits by dignitaries and celebrities (most notably when a local has had overseas success in a competition). The area has a multitude of restaurants, hotels and high-priced homes. Many celebrities have lived in Isla Verde's affluent areas, including some former members of the boy band Menudo, including Ricky Martin. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was home to one of the world's most popular discos of the time 'The Flying Saucer' was owned by Charlie Garcia who had also promoted the Muhammad Ali vs Jean Pierre Coopman fight at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. The Flying Saucer had a capacity of 800 people and over 10,000 were left outside opening night as DJ Orlando Torres del Pino had to force himself into the club. 'Isla Verde is also home to an important Cuban exile community centered on Casa Cuba, which is Puerto Rico's main Cuban social club.
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