annexed to the city, with the objective of carrying out the construction of an ensanche (planned city expansion). The annexation of the entire elizate of Abando finally occurred in 1890. The ensanche project of Alzola, Achúcarro and Hoffmeyer architects was approved in 1876, Abando was to become the modern center of Bilbao, with wide straight boulevards in a grid layout, the main one being Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro, contrasting with the maze of narrow alleys of the Casco Viejo, the old town of Bilbao. Sabino Arana, father of Basque nationalism and founder of the Basque Nationalist Party was born in Abando in 1865, when it was still a separate municipality. Today the districts of Abando, Errekalde and Basurto are built in what was the old elizate of Abando. In recent years the northern part of the district has been refurbished to create the new area of Abandoibarra (translated into Abando's shore), a vast formerly industrial area on the shore of the Estuary of Bilbao that now has been renewed and hosts the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, Euskalduna Palace and many recreational and residential areas like the Isozaki Atea towers. The district is today the central financial and commercial area of Bilbao. Geography Abando is located on the left bank of the estuary of Bilbao, in a large plain. Abando borders to the north with the estuary, across of which are located the districts of Uribarri and Deusto. To the east are the districts of Deusto and Basurto-Zorroza and to the south the districts of Errekalde and Ibaiondo, district which Abando also borders to the west. It covers an area of 2.14 square kilometres or 0.82 square miles. Subdivisions Politically and administratively, the district of Abando is divided into two quarters (Basque: auzo), Abando and Indautxu. Parks and gardens The district of Abando is home to many of the most centric green spaces of the city. The Doña Casilda Iturrizar park is one of the largest in the city, with around 8.5 hectares of green spaces and fountains. Across Abandoibarra many of the former industrial sites and shipyards were replaced with open and green spaces, many of which are located in the surroundings of the Guggenheim museum. They include the Plaza Euskadi, the Republic of Abando park and the riverbank park (Basque: Erribera parkea) by the river Bilbao. Other relevant parks and open spaces include the Albia gardens,