Carolina is a municipality on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, immediately east of San Juan and part of the San Juan metropolitan area. It is the third-most populous municipality on the island, with an urban center, residential barrios, and one of the island's most important coastal districts along its Atlantic shoreline. That coastal district is Isla Verde, a beachfront resort and residential area known for its long beach, high-rise hotels and condominiums, and its role as the island's tourism gateway. Isla Verde is also home to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Puerto Rico's primary international airport, which places Carolina at the center of the island's travel economy. The airport's presence, together with the hotels and the beach, gives Carolina a distinctly metropolitan and tourism-oriented character. Beyond Isla Verde, Carolina is a substantial city with a central urban core, shopping and commercial districts, and a range of residential neighborhoods. The municipality's economy spans aviation, hospitality, retail, and services, and its location adjacent to San Juan gives residents direct access to the capital's employment, education, and cultural institutions. Carolina tends to appeal to a wide range of residents — from those seeking beachfront condominium living in Isla Verde to families in its established urban neighborhoods — drawn by the municipality's amenities, its airport and highway access, and its position at the heart of the island's largest metropolitan area. The municipality combines the convenience of city living with one of Puerto Rico's most popular beaches, making it a distinctive and central place on the island.