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Puerto Rico:
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Other pages in this profile of Puerto Rico:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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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. 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 not to alter the existing political status. |
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Location |
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic |
Geographic coordinates |
18 15 N, 66 30 W |
Map references |
Central America and the Caribbean |
Area |
total: 13,790 sq km land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km |
Area - comparative |
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island |
Land boundaries |
0 km |
Coastline |
501 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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 1,339 m |
Natural resources |
some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil |
Land use |
arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
400 sq km (2003) |
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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |