Isabela (Spanish pronunciation: [isaˈβela]) is a town and 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.

Around 1725, José Antonio de Mendizábal y Azares, Governor of the Island of Puerto Rico granted authorization to base a population on the existing hermitage/village.

At the end of the 18th century San Antonio de la Tuna had a church, more than sixty houses, and almost 1,200 inhabitants, which was a considerable population for those times.

Around 1818, the village obtained authorization from then Governor Salvador Meléndez to transfer the population to a new location closer to the coast.

[citation needed] Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States.

In 1899, the United States Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Isabela was 14,888.

The central part of the territory consists mostly of flatlands, the mountains do not surpass 656 feet (200 m) in height and the coastline flats (Bajuras) are slightly above sea level.

The municipal buildings, central square and large Catholic church are located in a barrio referred to as "el pueblo".

The Isabela page lists Playa Montones, Tunel de Guajataca, and Mabodamaca, as places of interest.

[citation needed] After the transfer to the present Isabela location the economic realities that resulted from the new land and property opportunities that were readily available, the healthier environment formed due to the wide open plains and prevalent northern winds, and the proximity to the coast and the natural sea port at the bay of Punta Sardina prompted for the diversification of the agricultural products and an increase in trade.

Isabela continued to flourish until recent years due to the island's economic crisis, the closing of important factories and the rising crime rate.

The Playeras, a female volleyball team, played in Isabela for 2 seasons until they also moved to Aguadilla becoming Las Divas.

Fights were customarily held on Sunday mornings, and the bets and stakes were controlled by the government of Puerto Rico.

Also, Isabela is well known for its Fine Step Horses ("Caballos de Paso Fino") and its world class board, wind and kite surfing spots.

[43] The town's coat of arms, dated 1819, is divided an olive tree in its center, symbolizes the first inhabitants of Isabela and of the island of Puerto Rico, the Igneris Indians.

The gold bell represented in the center stripe between two cactus is a symbol of the town of San Antonio de la Tuna.

[44] The coat of arms is embellished with a mural crown having three towers, the standard emblem at the time for formally established 'pueblos' (townships) under Spanish rule.

The revised mural crown with five towers represents a city, but historically, only 11 communities[45] in Puerto Rico were conferred this title when under Spanish rule.