By Jenny Hong

By Jenny Hong

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flag

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Officially called the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or PR abbreviationPuerto Rico is Spanish for “Rich Port”Spanish is Puerto Rico’s primary language.Capital: San Juan

What does “Puerto Rico” mean?

San Juan

History

Unincorporated territory of the United StatesU.S. acquired:

Spain had originally owned Puerto Rico for over 400 years, until the Spanish-American War. In the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S.

Geography and ClimateNortheastern CaribbeanGroup of islands, main one is Puerto Rico.Climate: tropical and many hurricanesArea 13,790 sq. km (5,320 sq. mi.)Land area 8,870 sq. km (3,420 sq. mi.)Water area 4,920 sq. km (1,900 sq. mi)Max length 180 km (110 mi)Max width 65 km (40 mi)

Geography and ClimateMountains. Main mountain range is La Cordillera Central.17 lakes all man made and over 50 riversLies at the border between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates, and this movement causes earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.

La Cordillera Central mountain range, Puerto Rico

Geography and ClimateAverage year temp.: 82.4°FRecord low: 39°FTemperature does not change drastically throughout the seasons.Average yearly precipitation: 1678 mm

Government and CitizenshipRepublican governmentHouse of Representatives, judicial system, and “Resident Commissioner”, who is a non-voting representative in CongressMay not vote in U.S. presidential elections.

Government and CitizenshipSince 1947, islanders were able to elect their own governor.Current Governor: Luis FortunoSince the Jones Act in 1917, Puerto Ricans: U.S. citizens.PR has no embassies since it is not an independent country.

Luis Fortuno

Ethnic Groups

White75.8%

Black12.4%

Asian0.2%

Amerindian0.5%

SOR7.8%

Other3.3%

Ethnic Groups in Puerto Rico

Population

3,989,133 total population as of 20110-14 yrs: 18.8%15-64 yrs: 66.1%65 yrs and over: 15.1% Most White citizens are from Spanish origin.

Population

99% of the population is Hispanic/Latino.Originally populated by natives known as Tainos. Most forced into slavery or died from diseases and harsh conditions from Spanish settlers

Taino people dwellings

Economy and CultureEconomy: manufacturing, mainly tourismPopular sports are baseball, boxing, basketball, volleyballThe main religion is Roman Catholic (85%), with minorities of Protestant and other religions.

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