The Enchanted Island The Enchanted Island By Guillermo C. AraosBy Guillermo C. Araos

History –Tainos History –Tainos

Tainos started migrating through the Caribbean Tainos started migrating through the Caribbean islands around 900 BC islands around 900 BC

The head cacique of Boriken was Agueybana The head cacique of Boriken was Agueybana

Ageuybana and Juan Ponce de Leon became Ageuybana and Juan Ponce de Leon became “guaitiao” (friends) and their wives exchanged “guaitiao” (friends) and their wives exchanged names names

But their friendship resulted in Spanish betrayalBut their friendship resulted in Spanish betrayal

Ageuybana’s people started fighting with the Ageuybana’s people started fighting with the Spaniards, but they were no match to the armed Spaniards, but they were no match to the armed forces forces

Puerto Rican FoodPuerto Rican Food

Puerto Rican food is an Puerto Rican food is an explosive blend of explosive blend of

Spanish, African, Taino Spanish, African, Taino and American and American influences. influences.

On special occasions, Puerto Rican’s like to make lechon (pork) with yellow rice, plantains, & pastelesOn special occasions, Puerto Rican’s like to make lechon (pork) with yellow rice, plantains, & pasteles

Music Comes Music Comes Alive!Alive!

Some of the typical Some of the typical instruments of Puerto Rico instruments of Puerto Rico are the classical guitar, are the classical guitar, the cuatro and the triple. the cuatro and the triple. You can also bike or You can also bike or rollerblade on the rollerblade on the wonderful multipurpose wonderful multipurpose trails. trails. Some of the big never Some of the big never forgotten Puerto Rican forgotten Puerto Rican salsa composers are salsa composers are Hector Lavoe, Tommy Hector Lavoe, Tommy Olivenca and Victor Olivenca and Victor Manuelle. Manuelle. Some of the styles are Some of the styles are Merengue, Bomba, Plena, Merengue, Bomba, Plena, Aguinaldo (Christmas Aguinaldo (Christmas music) and Romantikeo. music) and Romantikeo.

El Yunque El Yunque National National ForestForest

El Yunque National Forest is El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rain forest the only tropical rain forest in the United States in the United States (Santiago, 539). (Santiago, 539).

It contains over 240 species It contains over 240 species of trees and plants, of of trees and plants, of which 26 of them are not which 26 of them are not found anywhere else (539). found anywhere else (539).

More than a million people More than a million people visit El Yunque each year. visit El Yunque each year.

The landscape found in the The landscape found in the rainforest is similar to the rainforest is similar to the rest of the island. rest of the island.

Breathtaking Breathtaking BeachesBeaches

Isabela is a personal Isabela is a personal favorite. It’s where I got favorite. It’s where I got

married.married.

A tourist favorite is A tourist favorite is Luquillo Luquillo

White sugar sandWhite sugar sand

Crystal clear waterCrystal clear water

Nocturnal Nocturnal NightlifeNightlife

Heart pumping casinosHeart pumping casinos

El CondadoEl Condado

Luxurious RestaurantsLuxurious Restaurants

See the See the YouTube video which shows Puerto Rico which shows Puerto Rico Official Tourism Video - Official Tourism Video -

Caribbean Dream Traveler.Caribbean Dream Traveler.

Puerto Rico PridePuerto Rico PridePuerto Rico has a democratic government influenced by the United Puerto Rico has a democratic government influenced by the United

States Constitution. Although there is concern about the States Constitution. Although there is concern about the independence of Puerto Rico, it remains a US Territory (Lugo, 125). independence of Puerto Rico, it remains a US Territory (Lugo, 125).

The islands economy is mostly dependent on tourism and The islands economy is mostly dependent on tourism and corporations. The people of Puerto Rico are proud of their political corporations. The people of Puerto Rico are proud of their political

parties & flourishing economy.parties & flourishing economy.

I hope you I hope you visit real visit real soon…soon…

And bring your

And bring your

beach towel!

beach towel!

Work citedWork cited

1. Livingstone, Alisa. "Two Thumbs Up For San Juan, Puerto Rico!." Accent On Living 42.4 (1998): 66. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Oct. 2012.

2. Lugo-Lugo, Carmen R. "U.S. Congress And The Invisibility Of Coloniality: The Case Of Puerto Rico's Political Status Revisited." Centro Journal 18.2 (2006): 124-145. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Oct. 2012. Miller, Marilyn. "Plena And The Negotiation Of "National" Identity In Puerto Rico." Centro Journal 16.1 (2004): 36-59. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Oct. 2012.

3. Ramos, Reniel Rodríguez. "Taíno Indian Myth And Practice: The Arrival Of The Stranger King. (English)." Caribbean Studies 39.1/2 (2011): 263-266. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Oct. 2012.

4. Santiago, Luis E., and John Loomis. "Recreation Benefits Of Natural Area Characteristics At The El Yunque National Forest." Journal Of Environmental Planning & Management 52.4 (2009): 535-547. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Oct. 2012.