An island in the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico is a self-governing part of the United States. Puerto Rico came under control of the United States in 1898 after centuries of Spanish rule. Today Spanish is the main language of Puerto Rico. Many Puerto Ricans move back and forth between the island and the United States mainland, however, leading to a unique and vibrant cultural blend. The capital is San Juan. GeographyPuerto Rico lies at the eastern end of the group of Caribbean islands called the Greater Antilles. It is just east of the Dominican Republic and about 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) southeast of the U.S. state of Florida. Puerto Rico covers an area of 3,515 square miles (9,104 square kilometers). The main island is roughly rectangular in shape. Two islands off the east coast, Vieques and Culebra, are also part of Puerto Rico, as is the island of Mona to the west. Puerto Rico is mountainous and has little flat land. The highest mountain range is the Cordillera Central. In this range is Mount Punta, the highest peak in Puerto Rico at 4,389 feet (1,338 meters). The land along the coast of the main island is flatter and is home to most of the population. Many rivers and streams flow across the island. Puerto Rico has a pleasant climate with warm temperatures that vary little throughout the year. Hurricanes may strike between June and November. Plants and animalsPlant life is abundant and varied. The Caribbean National Forest southeast of San Juan is a tropical rain forest with rare species of orchids. Palms and mangrove trees flourish along the coast, and bamboo grows in great clumps along the roads and streams. The southern part of the island receives little rain and has mostly thorn and scrub plants. Puerto Rico's wildlife includes nonvenomous snakes, lizards, mongoose, and the coqui, a frog that has become a symbol of the country. Many different types of birds live on the island. People and cultureArawak Indians known as the Taino lived in Puerto Rico when the Spanish began settling on the island in the early 16th century. Diseases brought by the European settlers, along with slavery and starvation, killed off nearly all of the Taino by 1550. A small number of Indians still live in the country. Most Puerto Ricans are of Spanish descent. Descendants of blacks who were brought to the island as slaves make up about 8 percent of the population. Many people are racially mixed. Most Puerto Ricans speak Spanish, though both Spanish and English are official languages. Most of the population practices some form of Christianity. During the 20th century many Puerto Ricans moved from rural areas to cities and towns. The largest city is San Juan, the capital. One of the oldest cities in the Americas, it is a major port and tourist destination. Other major cities include Bayamón, Ponce, Caguas, and Mayagüez. Puerto Rico's culture is a mixture of Spanish, African, Caribbean, and North American influences. Festivals are an important part of life in Puerto Rico, and every town celebrates the feast day of its patron saint. Puerto Ricans also celebrate such U.S. holidays as Independence Day and Memorial Day. EconomyManufacturing, services, and trade are Puerto Rico's main sources of income. Many U.S. companies operate factories on the island. The most valuable manufactured products include chemicals, medicines, processed foods, machinery, petroleum products, and clothing. The United States is the island's main trading partner. Finance and tourism are major service industries. Agriculture was the most important part of Puerto Rico's economy until the mid-20th century, but it now accounts for only a tiny part of the country's income. The leading crops include sugarcane, plantains, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, tobacco, and coffee. Other farm products include beef, pork, poultry, milk, and eggs. HistoryThe Arawak Indians arrived in what is now Puerto Rico by the year AD 1000. They originally came from South America. The first European to reach the island was Christopher Columbus, who claimed it for Spain in 1493. In 1508 the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León founded the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico near what is now San Juan. Throughout the 16th century and later, the French, the English, and the Dutch attacked the island repeatedly. They wanted to add the island to their empires. To protect themselves from these attacks, the Spanish built strong forts on the island. Spanish rulePuerto Rico remained largely undeveloped until the late 18th century. After 1830 the island gradually developed an economy based on large farms called plantations. Sugarcane, coffee, and tobacco were the major export crops. In the late 19th century Puerto Ricans began to call for independence from Spanish rule. In 1897 Spain gave the island broad powers of self-government. One year later the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. Afterward the island was turned over to the United States. From U.S. territory to commonwealthIn 1917 the United States government made the people of Puerto Rico citizens of the United States. In 1947 the United States gave partial self-government to the territory by allowing Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor. In 1951 Puerto Rico was made a commonwealth, meaning that the people of Puerto Rico gained the right to make their own laws though they kept some ties with the United States. Over the next several decades Puerto Rico changed from a rural society into an industrialized one. Much of the island's poverty was wiped out. Great progress was also made in the areas of education and health. Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States remained a major issue on the island into the 21st century. Some of the people want Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the United States. Others want the island to become fully independent. As a whole, however, Puerto Ricans have voted for the island to continue as a commonwealth. Puerto Ricans have most of the benefits of U.S. citizenship but cannot vote for the president of the United States. Population (2000 census), 3,808,610. |