Puerto Rico
Official Country Name
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Overview
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.
Puerto Rico Economy
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 2004. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy, recovered in 2004-05, but declined again in 2006.
Puerto Rico Location
Puerto Rico is located in Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Region
Puerto Rico is located in Caribbean
Puerto Rico Population
Puerto Rico has population of 3,927,188 (July 2006 est.)
Puerto Rico Climate
Puerto Rico has tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Puerto Rico Terrain
mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Puerto Rico Natural Resources
some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Ethnic Groups in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has the following ethnic groups - white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
Puerto Rico Religions
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Puerto Rico Languages
Spanish, English
Puerto Rico Capital
Puerto Rico capital is San Juan
Puerto Rico Currency
Puerto Rico currency is US dollar
Map of Puerto Rico
