The largest city in Puerto Rico is also the oldest capital city under the U.S. flag; San Juan is the official home and office to the governor of Puerto Rico, the 16th century residence of Ponce de Leon's family and some of the oldest historic churches in the western hemisphere. Located on the northeast side of the island, San Juan is the second oldest city in the Americas behind Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The city is home to the historical district of
Old San Juan, reminiscent of the Spanish Empire. The Condado strip of highrise beachfront hotels is similar to that of Miami Beach.
San Juan is part of the San Juan-Bayamon, Puerto Rico metro area.