Puerto Rico Overview
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Where is Puerto Rico located?

What countries border Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico Weather

What is the current weather in Puerto Rico?

Find more about Weather in San Juan, PR
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Puerto Rico Facts and Culture

What is Puerto Rico famous for?

  • Cultural Attributes: Puerto Rico boasts a rich and diverse culture that reflects its unique blend of indigenous Taíno, African, Spanish, and American... More
  • Family: The family structure in Puerto Rico is typically close-knit and emphasizes strong family bonds and values. Extended Family: Extended family... More
  • Personal Apperance: In Puerto Rico, traditional attire has been influenced by the island's diverse cultural heritage, with elements reflecting indigenous, African, Spanish,... More
  • Recreation: Various recreational activities are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike in Puerto Rico, thanks to the island's diverse landscapes, rich... More
  • Diet: The diet in Puerto Rico is influenced by its rich culinary history, blending indigenous Taíno, Spanish, African, and American influences... More
  • Food and Recipes: Mealtime in Puerto Rico is often lively and social, reflecting the island's rich culinary traditions and a strong sense of... More
  • Visiting: Visiting someone in Puerto Rico typically involves warmth, hospitality, and a strong sense of community. Warm Welcome: Visitors are usually... More
  • Dating: Dating customs in Puerto Rico may vary depending on individual preferences and cultural backgrounds, but there are some common practices... More

Puerto Rico Facts

What is the capital of Puerto Rico?

Capital San Juan
Government Type unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950
Currency US Dollar (USD)
Total Area 5,324 Square Miles
13,790 Square Kilometers
Location Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Language Spanish
GDP - real growth rate -0.6%
GDP - per capita (PPP) $28,500.00 (USD)

Puerto Rico Demographics

What is the population of Puerto Rico?

Ethnic Groups white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%
Nationality Noun Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
Population 3,189,068
Population Growth Rate -0.47%
Population in Major Urban Areas SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million
Urban Population 98.900000

Puerto Rico Government

What type of government does Puerto Rico have?

Executive Branch chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Pedro PIERLUISI (since 2 January 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of Puerto Rico do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)

election results:

2020: Pedro PIERLUISI elected governor; percent of vote - Pedro PIERLUISI (PNP) 32.9%, Carlos DELGADO (PPD) 31.6%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 14.2%, Juan DALMAU (PIP) 13.7%, other 7.6%

2016: Ricardo ROSSELLO elected governor; percent of vote - Ricardo ROSSELLO (PNP) 41.8%, David BERNIER (PPD) 38.9%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 11.1%, Manuel CIDRE (independent) 5.7%
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Citizenship see United States
National Holiday US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
Constitution history: previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified by referendum 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952

amendments: proposed by a concurrent resolution of at least two-thirds majority by the total Legislative Assembly membership; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and approval by a majority of voters in a special referendum; if passed by at least three-fourths Assembly vote, the referendum can be held concurrently with the next general election; constitutional articles such as the republican form of government or the bill of rights cannot be amended; amended 1952
Independence none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Puerto Rico Video

YouTube: CountryReports Puerto Rico - A Cultural History

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Puerto Rico Geography

What environmental issues does Puerto Rico have?

Climate tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Environment - Current Issues erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Terrain mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Puerto Rico Economy

How big is the Puerto Rico economy?

Economic Overview 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. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity.

Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.

The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.

Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland.
Industries pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism
Currency Name and Code US Dollar (USD)
Export Partners US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4%
Import Partners US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4%

Puerto Rico News and Current Events

What current events are happening in Puerto Rico?
Source: Google News

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