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• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an island in the northeastern Caribbean. Puerto Rico, as it is more commonly known, fell under U.S. control in 1898 and in 1917, the island was granted U.S. Territory status and the residents of the island became U.S. citizens. In 1952, the island became a U.S. Commonwealth.Official Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau

  On June 14, 2009, New York City held the 52nd annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.

• Fast Facts

  1. Located: In the Caribbean, to the east of the Dominican Republic and to the west of the Virgin Islands
  2. Puerto Rico is an archipelago which includes the main island as well as several smaller islands and keys
  3. Vieques, Culebra and Mona are the largest islands of Puerto Rico
  4. The island may also be known as La Isla del Encanto ("The Island of Enchantment")
  5. Languages: Spanish and English
  6. Capital: San JuanCIA: Puerto Rico Facts and Statistics
  7. Subject to the same laws as the 50 states with the United States of America
  8. Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: Luis Fortuno, succeeded Anibal Acevedo VilaGuardian: Thousands Protest Government Layoffs in Puerto Rico (May 1, 2009)
  9. Currency: U.S. Dollar
  10. Population: 3,971,020 (July 2009 est.)CIA: Puerto Rico Facts and Statistics
  11. Symbols: Coqui Tree Frog (unofficial)
  12. 1493: Christopher Columbus attention arrived on the island on his second voyage to the New WorldOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
  13. Columbus named the island San Juan and the town of Puerto Rico ("rich port"); the two names were later switchedOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
  14. 1508: Juan Ponce the Leon became Puerto Rico's first governor
  15. 1898: Fell under U.S. control as a result of the Spanish-American WarOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
  16. 1917: Declared a territory of the United States and Puerto Ricans became American citizensOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
  17. 1947: Granted partial self-government, enabled citizens to elect their own governor for the first time
  18. 1952: Became a U.S. Commonwealth

• Political Status

  Puerto Rico is a "non incorporated territory" of the United States. As U.S. citizens, residents of Puerto Rico are subject to U.S. federal law, even though the island is not one of the United States. Many Puerto Ricans are divided in their political ideologies, some would like to have independence from the U.S. while others would like Puerto Rico to become a state.CIA: Puerto Rico Facts and Statistics

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  San Juan Hotels | San Juan Tours | San Juan Vacation | Sara Kuszak | Sonia Sotomayor

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