Puerto Rico

Geographic Location

-Commonwealth of the U.S. - A political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the U.S. -There are 78 municipalities (Cities)

Major Cities: San Juan (Capital) Ponce Caguas, Mayaguez

Native People Los Tainos Tainos called the island Boriken or Borinquen which means “ land of the great lords”. Today the word Boricua is used to designate the people of Puerto Rico.

El Moro

San Juan

Old San Juan El viejo San Juan

El Yunque Rainforest

-Climate average temperature 80 degrees F -Language Spanish and English are the official languages -Demography white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2% black 6.9% mixed 4.4% -Religion 85% catholics

Interesting Fact When Puerto Ricans want to express their nationality, they say: Soy de aquí como el coquí (I'm as Puerto Rican as a coquí).

While the coqui -a tiny frog found everywhere in the island- is only an "unofficial national symbol", its image figures prominently in Puerto Rican culture and heritage.coqui The coqui

Criollo (creole) is a word used today by Puerto Ricans to describe things native to the island, such as: music, cuisine, language, arts, people, religion, and other aspects of the island culture.

Music

Olga Tuñón Mark Anthony Jennifer López Ivy Queen Daddy Yankee Don Omar

Food

Carne Guisada (Stewed Beef) Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas) Pasteles (Green Banana Mass with Pork Filling, similar to a Mexican Tamale) Pastelón (Sweet Plantain & Beef Lasagna) Alcapurria (Fried Green Banana and Beef Patty)