Puerto Rico

Extracted Attributes

• Type

  Self-governing Caribbean archipelago, unincorporated territory of the United States

• Currency

  United States dollar

• Location

  Northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida, United States

• Population

  3,285,874 residents (as of Wikidata)

• Official Name

  Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

• Main Island Size

  100 miles long and 35 miles wide

• Political Status

  Unincorporated territory of the United States, Commonwealth (status is an ongoing debate)

• Previous Currency

  Puerto Rican peso

• Citizenship Status

  U.S. citizens since 1917

• Federal Income Tax

  Generally do not pay federal income tax

• Official Languages

  Spanish and English (Spanish predominates)

• Economy Classification

  Developed, high-income economy (International Monetary Fund)

• Geographic Coordinates

  18.25° N, 66.5° W

• Major Economic Sectors

  Manufacturing (pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, electronics), Services (tourism, hospitality)

• Federal Election Rights

  Disenfranchised from federal elections (nonvoting representative in U.S. Congress)

• Number of Municipalities

  78

• Previous Name (by Columbus)

  San Juan Bautista

• Human Development Index Rank

  47th (Wikipedia); 40th (DBPedia)

• Number of Hotel Rooms (2010)

  13,000

• Capital and Most Populous City

  San Juan

Timeline

• Settled by a succession of Amerindian peoples, including the Ortoiroid, Saladoid, and Taíno. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  Unknown (2,000 to 4,000 years ago)

• Christopher Columbus arrived and claimed the island for Spain, naming it San Juan Bautista. (Source: summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia, web_search_results)

  1493-11-19

• Colonized by Juan Ponce de León. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1508-01-01

• The original colony was abandoned in favor of a nearby islet on the coast, named Puerto Rico (Rich Port), which had a suitable harbor. (Source: web_search_results)

  1509-01-01

• A second settlement, San Germán, was established in the southwestern part of the island. (Source: web_search_results)

  1511-01-01

• Acquired by the United States following the Spanish-American War under the Treaty of Paris. (Source: summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia, Wikidata, web_search_results)

  1898-01-01

• The island's name was changed to Porto Rico, and the currency was changed from the Puerto Rican peso to the United States dollar. (Source: web_search_results)

  1898-01-01

• Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship. (Source: summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia, web_search_results)

  1917-01-01

• The island's name was changed back to Puerto Rico. (Source: web_search_results)

  1932-01-01

• The U.S. Congress oversaw Puerto Rico under the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  1950-01-01

• Congress approved a territorial constitution, allowing residents to elect a governor, and Puerto Rico officially became a U.S. Commonwealth. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia, web_search_results)

  1952-01-01

• The U.S. government, along with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, launched economic projects to develop Puerto Rico into an industrial high-income economy. (Source: Wikipedia, DBPedia)

  Mid-20th century

• Hurricane Maria caused widespread devastation, prompting philanthropic responses, including from Orlando Bravo. (Source: related_documents)

  2017-09-20

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a self-governing Caribbean archipelago and island organized as an unincorporated territory of the United States under the designation of commonwealth. Located about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida, between the Dominican Republic in the Greater Antilles and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Lesser Antilles, it consists of the eponymous main island and numerous smaller islands, including Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. With approximately 3.2 million residents, it is divided into 78 municipalities, of which the most populous is the capital municipality of San Juan, followed by those within the San Juan metropolitan area. Spanish and English are the official languages of the government, though Spanish predominates. Puerto Rico was settled by a succession of Amerindian peoples beginning 2,000 to 4,000 years ago; these included the Ortoiroid, Saladoid, and Taíno. It was claimed by Spain following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493 and subsequently colonized by Juan Ponce de León in 1508. Puerto Rico was contested by other European powers into the 18th century but remained a Spanish possession for the next 400 years. The decline of the Indigenous population, followed by an influx of Spanish settlers, primarily from the Canary Islands and Andalusia, and African slaves vastly changed the cultural and demographic landscape of the archipelago. Within the Spanish Empire, Puerto Rico played a secondary but strategically significant role compared to larger and wealthier colonies like Peru and New Spain. By the late 19th century, a distinct Puerto Rican identity began to emerge, centered on a fusion of European, African, and Indigenous elements. In 1898, following the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was acquired by the United States. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917 and can move freely between the archipelago and the mainland. However, residents of Puerto Rico are disenfranchised from federal elections and generally do not pay federal income tax. In common with four other territories, Puerto Rico sends a nonvoting representative to the U.S. Congress, called a Resident Commissioner, and participates in presidential primaries; as it is not a state, Puerto Rico does not have a vote in the U.S. Congress, which oversees it under the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950. Congress approved a territorial constitution in 1952, allowing residents of the archipelago to elect a governor in addition to a senate and house of representatives. The political status of Puerto Rico is an ongoing debate. Beginning in the mid-20th century, the U.S. government, together with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, launched a series of economic projects to develop Puerto Rico into an industrial high-income economy. It is classified by the International Monetary Fund as a developed jurisdiction with an advanced, high-income economy; it ranks 47th on the Human Development Index. The major sectors of Puerto Rico's economy are manufacturing, primarily pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and electronics, followed by services, namely tourism and hospitality.

Web Search Results

• Welcome to Puerto Rico! History, Culture and Travel Information

  Skip Navigation # Puerto Rico, Discover a Magnificent and Unique Island, Full of Adventures and Experiences Puerto Rico, officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is a vibrant and culturally rich island nestled in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. [...] At just 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, Puerto Rico is the smallest island of the Greater Antilles, yet it boasts an extraordinary blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure. The Puerto Rican archipelago includes the main island and several breathtaking smaller islands like Vieques, Culebra, Mona, and numerous islets, each with its own charm and natural wonders. ## Explore Puerto Rico [...] I invite you to explore the wonders of Puerto Rico—from exotic hideaways and white sandy beaches to majestic mountains and lush rainforests. Beyond its natural beauty, Puerto Rico offers 500 years of history and a warm, welcoming culture that makes every visit unforgettable. On this website, you’ll find comprehensive information about the island, its culture, history, and people—everything that makes Puerto Rico a truly unique and magical destination.

• Discover Puerto Rico: Your Guide to Visit Puerto Rico

  Rich history and culture, exceptional food and cocktails, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and experiences that nourish body and soul — all packed into one sun-kissed Caribbean paradise. Puerto Rico is full of people who are welcoming and buena gente (which is Boricua lingo for kind and friendly). Here, you’ll feel like family instead of just a visitor. Discover vibrant cultural experiences, a celebration of life, and a captivating rhythm around every corner. Let us be the first to say [...] Your Ultimate 6-Day Family Vacation Itinerary When it comes to travel destinations with plenty of things to do for the entire family, Puerto Rico’s got you covered. Read More 5 Days of Relaxation & Luxury With lavish resorts and a variety of wellness experiences, it's easy to have the utmost relaxing vacation in Puerto Rico. Read More Plan a Trip Along la Ruta Panorámica Go out into the countryside and explore one of the Island’s most famous scenic drives. Read More

• Practical Information for Your Trip - Puerto Rico!

  Puerto Rico is a modern progressive and civilized vacation spot that maintains the charm and hospitality of days gone by. You will find everything that the Caribbean has to offer in this all around family destination - and with it is a people whose warmth is equaled only by the sunshine that graces its shores. ### When to plan your trip? [...] Puerto Ricans are a gentle and friendly people. The island feels more like Latin America than the United States. Swim wear is fine for the beach and leisure wear for the resorts, but elsewhere a little dressing up is in order. Night time in San Juan is somewhat informal. Light and loose cotton clothing is the best bet year-round for Puerto Rico's warm tropical climate. Pack a sweater for cool season evenings or if you plan to visit the mountain regions. [...] Puerto Rico offers a huge variety of lodgings that will appeal to a multiplicity of personalities and pocketbooks. There are 13,000 hotel rooms available in Puerto Rico (2010), 50% are located in the San Juan area. The government sponsors "Paradores Puertorriqueños", a group of 18 inns located throughout the island. Quality and prices varies among the group. A centralized reservation and information system has been set

• History of Puerto Rico - Wikipedia

  After the ratification of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Puerto Rico came under the colonial control of the United States of America. This brought about significant changes: the name of the island was changed to Porto Rico (it was changed back to Puerto Rico in 1932) and the currency was changed from the Puerto Rican peso to the United States dollar. Freedom of assembly, speech, press, and religion were decreed and an eight-hour day for government employees was established. A public school system [...] the island. Ponce de Leon was actively involved in the Hatuey (Jaragua) massacre of 1503 in Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic). In 1508, Ponce de Leon was chosen by the Spanish Crown to lead the conquest and enslaving of the Taíno Indians for gold mining operations. The following year, the colony was abandoned in favor of a nearby islet on the coast, named Puerto Rico (Rich Port), which had a suitable harbor. In 1511, a second settlement, San Germán was established in the southwestern [...] 1917, which made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens, paved the way for the drafting of Puerto Rico's Constitution and its approval by Congress and Puerto Rican voters in 1952. However, the political status of Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth "Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)") controlled by the United States, remains an anomaly.

• Puerto Rico - History and Heritage - Smithsonian Magazine

  Christopher Columbus arrived at Puerto Rico in 1493. He originally called the island San Juan Bautista, but thanks to the gold in the river, it was soon known as Puerto Rico, or "rich port;" and the capital city took the name San Juan. Soon, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony on its way to becoming an important military outpost. [...] Over the years numerous unsuccessful attempts were made by the French, Dutch, and English to conquer the island. To guard against these incursions, the Spanish constructed the many forts and ramparts still found on the island. Puerto Rico remained an overseas province of Spain until the Spanish-American war, when U.S. forces invaded the island with a landing at Guánica. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico (along with Cuba, the Philippines and Guam) to the U.S. [...] Puerto Ricans received U.S. citizenship in 1917 and Puerto Rico officially became a U.S. Commonwealth in 1952. The issue of political status is one under constant debate, with some in favor statehood, others independence, and still others the continuation of commonwealth status.

• Country

  United States

• Instance Of

  Q783733

• Population

  3,285,874

• Coordinates

  Lat: 18.25, Lon: -66.5

• Inception Date

  1/1/1898

Puerto Rico (Spanish for 'rich port'; abbreviated PR; Taino: Boriken, Borinquen), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit. 'Free Associated State of Puerto Rico'), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida, between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and includes the eponymous main island and several smaller islands, such as Mona, Culebra, and Vieques. It has roughly 3.2 million residents, and its capital and most populous city is San Juan. Spanish and English are the official languages of the executive branch of government, though Spanish predominates. Puerto Rico was settled by a succession of indigenous peoples beginning 2,000 to 4,000 years ago; these included the Ortoiroid, Saladoid, and Taíno. It was then colonized by Spain following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493. Puerto Rico was contested by other European powers, but remained a Spanish possession for the next four centuries. An influx of African slaves and settlers primarily from the Canary Islands and Andalusia vastly changed the cultural and demographic landscape of the island. Within the Spanish Empire, Puerto Rico played a secondary but strategic role compared to wealthier colonies like Peru and New Spain. By the late 19th century, a distinct Puerto Rican identity began to emerge, centered around a fusion of indigenous, African, and European elements. In 1898, following the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was acquired by the United States. Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, and can move freely between the island and the mainland. However, as residents of an unincorporated territory, American citizens of Puerto Rico are disenfranchised at the national level, do not vote for the president or vice president, and generally do not pay federal income tax. In common with four other territories, Puerto Rico sends a nonvoting representative to the U.S. Congress, called a Resident Commissioner, and participates in presidential primaries; as it is not a state, Puerto Rico does not have a vote in Congress, which governs it under the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950. Congress approved a local constitution in 1952, allowing U.S. citizens residing on the island to elect a governor. Puerto Rico's current and future political status has consistently been a matter of significant debate. Beginning in the mid-20th century, the U.S. government, together with the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, launched a series of economic projects to develop Puerto Rico into an industrial high-income economy. It is classified by the International Monetary Fund as a developed jurisdiction with an advanced, high-income economy; it ranks 40th on the Human Development Index. The major sectors of Puerto Rico's economy are manufacturing (primarily pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and electronics) followed by services (namely tourism and hospitality).