The U.S. is the major trading partner, 86% of exports are sent to the U.S. and 69% of imports come from the fifty states. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated island territory of the United States of America, located in north-eastern Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles. Census data are available for Puerto Rico from periodic censuses, beginning with a census taken by the War Department in 1899. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States. It is the smallest island in the Greater … The new state would probably obtain six new voting members of the House of Representatives and of course, two Senators. Which Are the Smallest States in the U.S.? 438.74/km2(1,136.33/sq mi) The geography of Puerto Ricoconsists of an archipelagolocated between the Caribbean Seaand the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republicand west of the Virgin Islands. The main island of Puerto Ricois the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico's climate is humid in many places, and some areas experience powerful storms daily. International recognition would come quickly for the new nation, which would have to develop its own defense and a new government. The island of Puerto Rico is found in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles from Miami. The Lesser Antilles begin to the east of Puerto Rico. Interestingly, in 2005 it was estimated that 90.72% of the land was not being used while only 5.59% was being used permanently for crops and 3.69% is arable land. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the island was one of the poorest in the Caribbean. Home » Multi-Ethnic Cultures of Puerto Rico » Learn About the Geography of Puerto Rico. Visitors to Laguna Grande never fail to be amazed at the unique after-dark spectacle provided by this tropical bioluminescent lagoon as the water - or more specifically, the millions of dinoflagellates in the water - light up and glow in response to the slightest disturbance. The geography of Puerto Rico consists of an archipelago located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic, west of the Virgin Islands and north of Venezuela. We are using cookies to make the website better. The stars on the United States flag would change for the first time in more than fifty years. ", Pursuing Statehood Through the U.S. Congress, Why Puerto Rico Matters in the US Presidential Election. The archipelago of Puerto Rico is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. Definition and List of Countries, Geography of the Territories of the United States. In 1508, Juan Ponce de León f… GEOGRAPHY • The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan. Puerto Rico, which means "rich port" in Spanish, wasn't settled until 1508 when Ponce de Leon founded a town near present-day San Juan. The island of Puerto Rico has surprising geographical diversity with some 60% of the island's terrain being very hilly. All trademarks, product names, logos, and the like, appearing on the site are the property of their respective owners. The island's population is quite dense, with about 1100 people per square mile (427 people per square kilometer). Unrestricted U.S. migration of Puerto Ricans has made New York City the one place with the most Puerto Ricans anywhere in the world (over one million). In November 2012, Puerto Ricans voted not to maintain the status quo and to pursue statehood through the U.S. Congress. The island is approximately 90 miles wide in an east-west direction and 30 miles wide between the north and south coasts. Physical Geography. Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA 3.0) In 1967, 1993, and 1998 the citizens of the island voted to maintain the status quo. San Juan (/ ˌ s æ n ˈ hw ɑː n /, Spanish: [saŋ ˈxwan]; "Saint John") is the capital and most-populous municipality in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States.As of the 2010 census, it is the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States, with a population of 395,326. The geography of Puerto Rico consists of an archipelago located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic, west of the Virgin Islands and north of Venezuela. The Puerto Rican coastline measures about five hundred and eighty kilometers. There are also caves, deserts, oceans, rivers and stunning beaches. Puerto Rico remained a Spanish colony for more than four centuries until the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American war in 1898 and occupied the island. To the north and east is the Atlantic Ocean. Islands similar to or like Geography of Puerto Rico. The island has regions of low land, valleys, and foothills, and the Cordillera Mountains cross southcentral Puerto Rico. Larger Than Delaware and Rhode Island. However, for now, Puerto Rico remains a territory of the United States, with all that such a relationship entails. Lajas, a municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico, is home to the famous Bahía Fosforescente, or Phosphorescent Bay. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles. Because of the mountainous geographic chain and the short width of the island, Puerto Rico cannot really have any large lakes or long rivers. These may or may not actually be related to Puerto Rico. The tallest mountain is in the center of the island, Cerro de Punta, which is 4,389 feet high (1338 meters). United States firms that are located in Puerto Rico receive tax incentives to encourage investments. This site is supported by ads. There are almost four million Puerto Ricans, which would make the island the 23rd most populous state (between Alabama and Kentucky). Puerto Rico is not a state, it is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Rico is located in the archipelago of the Antilles. The Geography of Puerto Rico Total Size: 13,790 square km PUERTO RICO Rachel Lichtenstein and Jennifer Morganti Pd. English: Geography of Puerto Rico, an insular area of the United States in the Caribbean. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship. The coasts of tropical Puerto Rico are flat but most of the interior is mountainous. Several small offshore islands are part of Puerto Rico, but only two are inhabited year-round: Vieques and Culebra. The Antilles are divided into two regions—Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles. pursue statehood through the U.S. Congress, M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge, B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis. Puerto Rico is the easternmost island of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, approximately a thousand miles southeast of Florida and just east of the Dominican Republic and west of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Located on the east coast of Puerto Rico, in the municipality of Fajardo, the magnificent Laguna Grande is one of the ... PuertoRico.com® is a non-government website designed to help travelers learn about the island of Puerto Rico. With an area of 3,515 square miles (9,104 km ), it is the third largest island in the United States and the 82nd largest island in the world. Due to erosion from the interior mountains, a chain of smaller valleys lie at right angles in close proximity to the east and west coast. About eight percent of the land is arable for agriculture. Are Puerto Ricans Immigrants in the U.S.? The main mountain range is called "La Cordillera Central" (The Central Range). While most Puerto Ricans speak some English, only about a quarter of the population is fully bilingual. The third most populous urban centre of the island, after San Juan and Bayamón, the city is situated 3 miles (5 km) north of its port, Playa de Ponce. Congress granted the people of Puerto Rico United States citizenship in 1917. Please help us out and disable your ad-blocker. Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since a law was passed in 1917. The highest elevation in Puerto Rico, Cerro de Punta 4,390 feet (1,340 m), is located in this range. The municipality of Gurabo has a history that dates back to the 17th century when it was part of Caguas. The Insular Cases: History and Significance, Biography of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, African History Expert, The Capital of Puerto Rico Celebrates Its Long and Vibrant History. Map of Puerto Rico & articles on flags, geography, history, statistics, disasters, and current events. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States but if it became a state, Puerto Rico's land area of 3,435 square miles (8,897 km2) would make it the 49th largest state (larger than Delaware and Rhode Island). If Puerto Rico were to become the fifty-first state, the U.S. federal government and the state-to-be will establish a ten-year transitional process towards statehood. The three distinct physiographic regions are divided into the karst areas, the coastal lowlands and the mountainous region. Puerto Ricans would also begin paying federal income tax and business would lose the special tax exemptions that are a major part of the economy. Geography of Puerto Rico. The Porta Caribe Region of Puerto Rico has much to offer tourists, including delightful attractions, top destinations and abundant activities. The top four highest mountains in Puerto Rico are Cerro Punta, Rosa, Guilarte and the Tres Picachos. km (3,515 sq mi). In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the island and claimed it for Spain. In the North lies the karst region – an area that is seen as being a crucial physiographic area. Here you will find a unique, untouched environment housing creatures found nowhere else in the world. Puerto Rico’s Official, National and Public Holidays, Legends, Fables, Myths and Stories of Puerto Rico, An Overview of the Education System in Puerto Rico, Traditional and Modern Influences Shaped Puerto Rican Music. Located in the South of Puerto Rico you will find Ponce, which is geared up to welcome tourists with many places of interest to visit, such as the Serralles Castle, the Ponce Museum of Art, Hacienda Buena Vista and the Serralles Rum Distillery. In 1948 the U.S. government began Operation Bootstrap which infused millions of dollars into the Puerto Rican economy and made it one of the wealthiest. The easternmost island of the Greater Antilles chain, it lies approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of the Dominican Republic, 40 miles (65 km) west of the Virgin Islands, and 1,000 miles (1,600 km) … The rougher, cooler Atlantic Ocean is on the north side of the island; the calmer, warmer Caribbean Sea is on the south side. Founded in either 1670 or 1680 as Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de Ponce, it was raised to the status of town in 1692, villa in 1848, and city in 1877. Learn more about the geography of Puerto Rico. "The road is pretty slick and gravel-ridden, so if you're going up in the rain (or going to go down in the rain) 4-wheel drive with low gear is NECESSARY." Puerto Rico: Reading Comprehensions with References to Puerto Rico This section lists reading comprehensions on edHelper.com with references to Puerto Rico. The three distinct physiographic regions are divided into the karst areas, the coastal lowlands and the mountainous region. Puerto Rico. • Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean and east of the Dominican Republic. Matt Rosenberg is an award-winning geographer and the author of "The Handy Geography Answer Book" and "The Geography Bee Complete Preparation Handbook. It is also almost twice the size of Delaware. Because of this the island has been placed under the management of the Puerto Rican Natural Resources and the United States as a National Park Service. The island is almost rectangular in form. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States but if it … When Did Puerto Rico Become a US Territory? The beautiful coastal area extends for approximately thirteen to nineteen kilometers in the north and for three to thirteen kilometers to the south. Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico was key to the Spanish Empire since the early years of exploration, conquest and colonization of the New World. About seven-eighths of Puerto Ricans are Roman Catholic and literacy is about 90%. The main island of Puerto Rico is about 110 miles (177 km) long (west to east) and 35 miles (56.3 km) wide (north to south), and covers 3,515 square miles (9,104 square km) — slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island, according to the Central Intelligence Agency. Learn puerto rico geography with free interactive flashcards. What Is the Difference Between a Commonwealth and a State? 10 Geography jobs available in Puerto Rico on Indeed.com. They range from 3093 to 4389 ft. Puerto Rico makes up part of the Great Antilles being the smallest eastern island in this collection. The karst region extends west from Aquadilla to the east of San Juan in Loiza. Major exports include pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, sugarcane, and coffee. The region features both rugged volcanic rock and delicate limestone and you will find a variety of sinkholes, karst features, limestone cliffs and caves in this region. Vieques lies about 7 miles (11.3 km) east of the main island and is approximately … Archipelago located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic, west of the Virgin Islands and north of Venezuela. Puerto rico 1. Puerto Rico is an archipelago formed by the main island of Puerto Rico and several smalle islands: Vieques, Culebra, Mona and numerous islets. 3. Spanish is the primary language on the island and for a short time earlier this decade, it was the commonwealth's official language. © Copyright 1995-2020 PuertoRico.com. Share. San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, is located on the north side of the island. Those Lesser Antilles are subdivided into the Leeward Islands group in the north and the Windward Islands group in the south. Even though they are citizens, Puerto Ricans pay no federal income tax and they can not vote for president. If independence were chosen by the citizens of Puerto Rico in the future, then the United States will assist the new country through a decade-long transition period. Puerto Rico has both Spanish and English for its official languages. Geography Puerto Rico is an island east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands. There are also caves, deserts, oceans, rivers and stunning beaches. Puerto Rico has fertile soil, a subtropical climate, and sandy beaches. Some of the natural resources that can be found are off-shore and on-shore crude oil – which isn’t currently being harvested – as well as copper, nickel and fish. The mountainous interior is formed by the Cordillera Central Range and this is formed by a central mountain chain ranging from Mayaguez to Aibonito. The Arawakan people settled the island around the ninth century CE. TYPE OF GOVERNMENT • Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States. 5 2. "After spending the night at a coffee plantation nearby, we decided to try reaching the top of Cerro Punta, tallest peak on the island." The federal government is expected to spend about three billion dollars annually in the state toward benefits not currently received by the Commonwealth. Geography :: Puerto Rico Location : This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. The island is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south. It has a total area of 9,104 sq. It is located in the Caribbean Sea. The island is very hilly, 75% of the island is made up of mountains or hills. All rights reserved. Choose from 500 different sets of puerto rico geography flashcards on Quizlet. The territory is very mountainous (covering about 60%), except in the regional coasts, but Puerto Rico... Terrain. Puerto Rico is composed of Jurassic to Eocene volcanic and plutonic rocks, which are overlain by younger... Topography. This long chain of smaller islands, bordered in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, curve southward, terminating in Trinidad just off the northern coast of Venezuela. By clicking Agree you are accepting Terms of Service. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the south, the Virgin Passage to the East and the Mona Passage to the West. The territory consists of the main island, and a series of … Puerto Rico, officially Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Spanish Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, self-governing island commonwealth of the West Indies, associated with the United States. Puerto Rico is a rectangular island, situated roughly in the middle of the Antilles, a chain of islands that stretches from Florida to Venezuela and forms the dividing line between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Droughts and hurricanes are the major natural hazards. They enclose the Caribbean sea. Adjuntas is a mountainside municipality that's nicknamed "the Switzerland of Puerto Rico." Your Rights and Responsibilities as a New US Citizen, What Is Latin America? What Is Birthright Citizenship in the United States? Geography of Puerto Rico Geology. Apply to Retail Sales Associate, Program Manager, Project Director and more! Puerto Rico’s native Taíno population—whose hunter-gatherer ancestors settled the island more than 1,000 years before the Spanish arrived—called it Borinquén, and referred to themselves as boricua (a term that is still used today).During his second expedition to the Indies in 1493, Christopher Columbus returned several Taíno captives to Borinquén and claimed the island for Spain, calling it San Juan Bautista. Various smaller islands and cays, including Vieques, Culebra, Mona, Desecheo, and Caja de Muertos Puerto Rico - Geography Puerto Rico - Culture Puerto Rico - History. The Antilles is a chain of islands that stretch more than 1500 miles starting from Florida (USA) to Venezuela (South America). The population is a mixture of Spanish, African, and indigenous heritage. Mona Island lies about fifty miles west of the Puerto Rican coastline. The area became a commonwealth on July 25, 1952, with the right to internal self-government. Geography of Puerto Rico The Antilles. 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geography of puerto rico

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