Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico
The closest Columbus ever came to standing on U.S. soil was when he landed on
Puerto Rico in 1493.
The island has many unique animals such as the coquí (a tiny frog) and the Puerto
Rican parrot. But one type of animal it doesn’t have is any kind of poisonous snake!
Each year, more than one hundred billion gallons of rain fall on Puerto Rico’s El
Yunque rain forest!
When Puerto Ricans are born, they get both their father’s and their mother’s last
names. A Puerto Rican woman doesn’t change her last name when she gets married.
Rita Moreno, a performer from Puerto Rico, has won many show-business awards,
including an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, a Tony, and a Golden Globe.
Flag
The red and white stripes stand for the blood and victory of
those who fought for the country. The star and triangle
represent Puerto Rico surrounded by water.
National Image
Puerto Rico’s coat of arms dates back all the way to the 1500s! The Latin
phrase on it means “John is its name,” since the island used to be called
San Juan (meaning “St. John”).
Land and Climate
Puerto Rico is part of a chain of islands called the Greater
Antilles, which were formed long ago by volcanoes. Being an
island, it is surrounded by beautiful beaches. But the island is
made up of much more than just sand. A large mountain
range called the Cordillera Central is the backbone of the
island. El Yunque rain forest provides a home to tropical
animals like the coquí, a tiny tree frog often no bigger than 1
inch (2.5 cm). There are also deserts, canyons, and caves.
Pureto Rico’s territory includes smaller islands as well, such as Culebra, Vieques, and
Mona.
Although it never snows in Puerto Rico, it often rains. Sometimes, hurricanes come
along with the rains. The temperature usually stays between 70 and 80°F (21–27°C)
year-round, even in January.
Population
Nearly four million people live in Puerto Rico. About 80 percent of the population is of
Hispanic origin and another 8 percent is black. Others have a mixed Spanish, African,
and Taíno (the native population) heritage. Around one-third of the population lives in
or near the capital, San Juan. Many Puerto Ricans have moved to the United States,
often in the hope of finding better jobs. So more than one million Puerto Ricans live in
New York City, and another one million live in other parts of the United States.
Language
Both Spanish and English are official languages. Most Puerto Ricans speak Spanish at
home, but kids are taught English in school, and it is sometimes used in business, too.
So many Puerto Ricans speak some English. Sometimes people use both languages in
the same sentence! This unique combination of mixing English words with Spanish is
called Spanglish.
Can You Say It in Spanish?
Hello
Hola
(OH-la)
Good-bye
Adiós
(ah-dee-OHS)
Please
Por favor
(POHR fa-VOHR)
Thank you
Gracias
(GRAH-see-ahs)
Yes
Sí
(see)
No
No
(noh)
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the major religion in Puerto Rico. About 85 percent of Puerto
Ricans are Catholics. The rest of the population belongs to various other Christian
churches. Puerto Ricans consider themselves religious and often attribute their good
fortunes to God.
Time Line
AD 1400
AD
1493
Christopher Columbus lands on Puerto Rico, names the
island San Juan Bautista, and claims the island for Spain
1508
1700
1760
1765
1800
The Spanish begin building settlements
1873
Slavery is abolished
1898
1900
Puerto Rico is given to the United States
1917
1946
1948
The city of Mayagüez is founded
Puerto Rico’s population reaches almost 50,000
Puerto Rico becomes a U.S. territory, and the people are
made U.S. citizens through the Jones Act
President Truman appoints the first native Puerto Rican
governor
Puerto Rico is allowed to elect its own governor for the
first time; the people choose Luis Muñoz Marín to
represent them
1950
U.S. Congress passes a new law called the Constitution
Act; this makes it possible for Puerto Rico to become a
commonwealth
1952
Puerto Rico becomes a commonwealth and writes its own
constitution
1967
Puerto Rico votes to remain a commonwealth rather than
become a U.S. state
1973
Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Baseball Hall of
Fame
1993
1998
Puerto Rico again votes to remain a commonwealth
Puerto Rican voters reject U.S. statehood once again
1999
An accident on Vieques Island kills a civilian during the
U.S. Navy’s training
2000
2000
Sila Calderon is elected as the first female governor of
Puerto Rico
2003
The U.S. Navy withdraws from Vieques and closes its last
remaining military base
2006
The United States Supreme Court turns down an appeal
asking that Puerto Ricans be allowed to vote in U.S.
presidential elections
2006
Schools and government agencies are temporarily closed
because of a budget shortage; thousands of Puerto
Ricans protest
2008
Luis Fortuño is elected as governor
PRESENT
Early Inhabitants
Some of Puerto Rico’s earliest settlers were called the Arawak. These friendly people
fished, traded with other islanders, and hunted. They were the ancestors of the Taíno.
The Taíno farmed, made pottery and jewelry, and built houses out of wood.
Spanish Rule
When Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493,
the Taíno welcomed him. However, the Spanish explorers
took advantage of the Taíno and eventually enslaved them.
They made the Taíno work in gold mines, and many died
from this work and from the diseases the Europeans brought
with them. When most of the Taíno had died or run away,
the Spanish made African slaves work for them. The Spanish
also built forts on the island so Puerto Rico could protect the
rest of Spain’s territories.
U.S. Rule
Spain fought and lost a war with the United States. Because of
this, Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States in 1898. Over
time, the United States gave the island more freedom, like the
right to elect its own governor. In the 1900s, Puerto Ricans were
made U.S. citizens, and later the island became a commonwealth
(see Government). Some Puerto Ricans were happy about the
changes. Others wanted the island to be independent. The people
voted in 1967 to stay a commonwealth. But they have continued to
debate the issue. Many even want Puerto Rico to become the 51st
state. In 1993, Puerto Ricans again voted to remain a
commonwealth, but it was a very close vote.
Vieques Island
For about 60 years, the U.S. Navy used the island of Vieques for
military training. Some Puerto Ricans felt that the Navy’s bombing
exercises hurt the environment and the people’s health. They wanted
the Navy to stop its training. Others wanted the Navy to stay because
it helped the island’s economy. The Navy finally stopped its bombing
exercises on Vieques in 2003.
Games and Sports
Puerto Ricans have been playing baseball for almost as long as
Americans have. The island has many different teams and
competes in the Caribbean League. Everyone watches their
favorite Caribbean and American teams on television. Some
great Puerto Rican players, like Hall of Fame player Roberto
Clemente, have played for U.S. teams. Others include Roberto
Alomar, Sandy Alomar Jr., Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, and
Carlos Delgado. Puerto Ricans also like basketball, volleyball,
boxing, surfing, and kayaking. Cockfighting is popular.
Cockfighting is when two roosters fight each other, usually to
the death. Those watching bet on which rooster will win.
Holidays
Puerto Ricans celebrate many of the same holidays that
Americans do. One of their favorite holiday seasons is
Christmas. During this time, groups of people go
door-to-door singing. Those who answer the door are
supposed to give the carolers food and drinks. They call this
tradition Parrandas. Puerto Ricans’ Christmas season doesn’t
end with Christmas Day; they celebrate into January! On 6
January, or Day of the Three Kings, Puerto Ricans celebrate
the day that the wise men gave gifts to the Christ child. On the eve of this holiday,
children put some grass or hay in a shoebox, which they then place under their bed.
This grass or hay is to feed the kings' camels. When the children wake up in the
morning, the grass is gone and a present is in its place.
Another favorite holiday season is Carnaval, which is usually during February or March.
Some individuals dress up as “monsters,” called vejigantes, in papier-mâché masks
with horns. Their costumes also have bells on them. These monsters roam the streets
and try to hit people on the head with a dried pig’s bladder! Kids run around and try to
steal the monsters’ bells.
Food
Like many people in Latin America, Puerto Ricans eat a lot of
beans and rice. However, unlike their neighbors, their food is
not very spicy. Dishes with plantains are popular. Plantains
are like bananas, except they have to be cooked to be eaten.
Also, since Puerto Rico is surrounded by water, Puerto Ricans
often eat seafood such as fish, shrimp, clams, and even
octopus. A favorite seafood dish is bacalao con viandas,
which is boiled cod with cassava and potatoes. Pasta and fast
food are increasingly popular, especially with younger Puerto Ricans.
Schools
Kids start school about the same time you do, at age five or six. Besides public schools,
there are many private schools—some of them are Catholic schools taught by priests
and nuns. After primary (elementary) school, kids go to a middle school and high
school. Getting a good education is important to people in Puerto Rico, so many also go
on to college.
Life as a Kid
When kids in Puerto Rico aren’t in school, they might be
playing baseball or spending time with their friends or family.
They also like to watch television, play video games, or surf
the internet. On summer vacation, kids like to go with their
family or friends to the beach. And there are a lot of great
beaches to be found because Puerto Rico is an island. At the
beach, kids can swim, have water fights, and just hang out
with their friends. If their extended families (like aunts,
uncles, and grandparents) don’t live near them, Puerto Ricans might take vacations to
visit them. Puerto Ricans love to go visiting.
Government
President: Barack H. Obama
Governor: Luis Fortuño
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth. That means it is part of the
United States, although it has power to govern itself. The
island is run similarly to a state, with a governor and a
legislature. The Legislative Assembly, which has a 27-member
Senate and a 51-member House of Representatives, makes
Puerto Rico’s laws. The people living in Puerto Rico are U.S.
citizens, but they don’t have to pay federal income tax.
However, they also don’t get to vote for the president. They
send a high commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives. He or she can talk with
the other representatives but can’t vote on legislation.
Money and Economy
If you were to buy a candy bar in Puerto Rico, you could use
the same money you do in the States. Puerto Ricans use the
U.S. dollar as their currency. The country’s economy used to
depend a lot on agriculture, but industry is now much more
important. Puerto Ricans make medications, electronics,
clothing, and food. Tourism also provides money and jobs. The people have access to
better education and jobs than most others who live in the Caribbean. Being part of the
United States has helped the economy. However, some Puerto Ricans still struggle to
make ends meet.
Getting Around
Most families own at least one car, but with so many cars on
the island, traffic can be bad, especially in larger cities. So
people tend to drive their cars only when needed. They
carpool whenever they can. People also use public
transportation to get around. They take buses, or in the
capital city of San Juan, the tren urbano (urban train). People
also can take a público, which is bigger than a taxi and
smaller than a bus. A público takes its riders from one station to another, with no stops
in between.
Music and Dance
Puerto Ricans love to dance and listen to music. One of their favorite
kinds of music and dance is called salsa. This has a strong, fast beat.
Meringue is also popular. Music is fostered in the home, so most
Puerto Ricans learn to play a musical instrument. They use many
different kinds of instruments to make music, including drums and
rattles made from gourds. Parties often have some kind of music
playing, along with dancing. Many popular singers you might know
are Puerto Rican, like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer
Lopez.
Learn More
Contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 666 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY
10103; phone (800) 866-7827; web site www.gotopuertorico.com.
© 2009 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. All rights reserved. It is against
the law to copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by
any means without written permission from ProQuest.
Country Detail Map
Puerto Rico
Cerro de Punta is the
country’s tallest peak, at
4,389 feet (1,338 m).
San Juan has one of the
best natural ports in
the Caribbean.
AT L A N T I C O C E A N
•
e
Rí o d
la
Pl
ta
a
•Mayagüez
rande
o G
MONA ISLAND
Bayamón
Rí
•
Arecibo
Cerro de Punta
San Juan
•
Carolina
• Caguas
DILLERA CENTRAL
COR
CULEBRA ISLAND
EL Y U N Q UE
R A I N F O R E ST
VIEQUES ISLAND
Ponce
•
The northern coast gets
about 70 inches (178 cm) of
rain each year. The southern
coast gets only about half
that much.
CARIBBEAN SEA
© 2007 ProQuest-CSA LLC and Brigham Young University.
If Puerto Rico were a
U.S. state, it would be the
third smallest state, with
only 3,515 square miles
(9,104 sq km).
Puerto Rico’s
longest river is the
Río de la Plata.