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.
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
References
Fast Facts
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Located
In the Caribbean, to the east of the Dominican Republic and to the west of the Virgin Islands
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Fact:
Puerto Rico is an archipelago which includes the main island as well as several smaller islands and keys
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Fact:
Vieques, Culebra and Mona are the largest islands of Puerto Rico
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Fact:
The island may also be known as La Isla del Encanto ("The Island of Enchantment")
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Languages
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Capital
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Fact:
Subject to the same laws as the 50 states with the United States of America
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Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
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Currency
U.S. Dollar
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Population
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Symbols
Coqui Tree Frog (unofficial)
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1493
Christopher Columbus attention arrived on the island on his second voyage to the New WorldOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
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Fact:
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
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1508
Juan Ponce the Leon became Puerto Rico's first governor
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1898
Fell under U.S. control as a result of the Spanish-American WarOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
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1917
Declared a territory of the United States and Puerto Ricans became American citizensOfficial Tourism Site: Puerto Rico Convention Bureau
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1947
Granted partial self-government, enabled citizens to elect their own governor for the first time
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1952
Became a U.S. Commonwealth
