Chapter 2 Culture Puerto Rico

Population: 3,937,316 Capital: San Juan Official Language: Spanish and English Government: Free State Associated with the United States Monetary: U.S. Dollar Internet Code: National Sport: Baseball (or Softball for women)

San Juan Puerto Rico was first named San Juan Bautista and the capital was named Puerto Rico (meaning Rich Port). The two names were switched by the Puerto Rico’s first governor, Juan Ponce de León.

History Indigenous cultures thrived for centuries in Puerto Rico, until Columbus claimed the land for Spain in The island remained under colonial Spanish rule for more than 400 years.

History Continued After their defeat in the Spanish- American War in 1898, Spain ceded the islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines to the United States. In 1917, Puerto Ricans received United States citizenships, although in elections since then, they have chosen to retain their status as a commonwealth.

51 st State??? Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the U.S. The U.S. and Puerto Rico share citizenship, currency, customs borders, and defense. However, Puerto Ricans are not required to pay federal income tax. Puerto Ricans have rejected the prospect of United States statehood in three different elections.

English or Spanish Since becoming a U.S territory in 1898, language has been a central issue for the people of Puerto Rico. For 90 years, Spanish and English were the official languages. But in 1991, Governor Rafael Hernandez Colon, a supporter of Puerto Rican independence, abolished English as an official language. In 1993, a pro-statehood governor restored equal official status to English and Spanish, and it remains so today. English is spoken by approximately ¼ of the population, and is spoken in nearly all areas frequented by tourists.

Geography La Cordillera Central runs nearly the length of the island from east to west, with mountains covering 60% of the island’s terrain. Fed from rains in the interior mountains, short rivers drain into the Atlantic and the Caribbean. These rivers assure that the land is well watered and contribute to the fertility of the coastal lowlands.

Geography El flamboyán is a tree with beautiful red flowers that grows in La Cordillera Central.

El Yunque El Yunque or the Caribbean National Forest is the rainforest of Puerto Rico It receives more than 100 billion gallons of rainfall each year. Puerto Rican parrots are only found in a few hidden areas of the Caribbean National Forest.

El Yunque

El coquí is the most famous amphibian in Puerto Rico. El coquí was named because of the sound it makes.

La Comida Puerto Rican cuisine is a reflection of the island’s history and the various cultures. The cocina criolla, or native cooking, is a blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, Mexican, and North American influences.

La Comida continued Pollo Frito (Fried Chicken) con tostones is a typical dish of Puerto Rico. Tostones are deep fried plantains. Las habichuelas are another typical Puerto Rican dish of beans served with rice and chicken on meat.

Las celebraciones La fiesta de Santiago, held in the small town of Loiza Aldea, reenacts the Spanish conquest over the Moors. In the third week of July, this town of mostly African descent honors the town’s patron Saint James (Santiago) and his role in the unification of Spain.

Las celebraciones El festival Casals is a 40+ year old festival dedicated to Classical music. It was created by Pablo Casals. The festival is held every year in San Juan.

Música Salsa The most widely heard and influential form of music from Puerto Rico. The term translates to English as "sauce" to denote music that spices and enlivens things. It is a complex musical genre that evolved from many roots into a uniquely Puerto Rican product.

Música Salsa music was made famous my instruments like the güiro and maracas. Famous Puerto musicians who are noted for making salsa music popular world- wide are: Willie Colón Tito Puente Marc Anthony