Country name conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico Background Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus" second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status.Location Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Area total: 9,104 sq km
water: 145 sq km
land: 8,959 sq km Area - comparative slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Coastline 501 km Climate tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m Natural hazards periodic droughts; hurricanes Environment - current issues erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages Geography - note important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north Population 3,885,877 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 22.9% (male 454,908; female 434,555)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 1,212,764; female 1,322,356)
65 years and over: 11.9% (male 200,669; female 260,625) (2003 est.) Median age total: 33.3 years
male: 31.6 years
female: 34.9 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican Ethnic groups white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% Religions Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Languages Spanish, English Internet country code .pr Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.8%
male: 93.7%
female: 94% (2001) Government type commonwealth National holiday US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Legal system based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice International organization participation Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate) Economy - overview Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-02, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy. Exports - partners US 88.2%, UK 1.5%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2001) Currency US dollar (USD) Currency code USD Exchange rates the US dollar is used Airports 31 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 19
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 8
under 914 m: 5 (2002) Airports - with unpaved runways total: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 10 (2002) Disputes - international none |
