1. Puerto Rico
By Jenny Hong
Puerto Rico flag
San Juan, Puerto Rico

2. What does “Puerto Rico” mean?
Officially called the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or PR abbreviation
Puerto Rico is Spanish for “Rich Port”
Spanish is Puerto Rico’s primary language.
Capital: San Juan
San Juan

3. History Unincorporated territory of the United States U.S. acquired:
Spain had originally owned Puerto Rico for over 400 years, until the Spanish-American War. In the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S.

4. Geography and Climate Northeastern Caribbean
Group of islands, main one is Puerto Rico.
Climate: tropical and many hurricanes
Area 13,790 sq. km (5,320 sq. mi.)
Land area 8,870 sq. km (3,420 sq. mi.)
Water area 4,920 sq. km (1,900 sq. mi)
Max length 180 km (110 mi)
Max width 65 km (40 mi)

5. Geography and Climate
Mountains. Main mountain range is La Cordillera Central.
17 lakes all man made and over 50 rivers
Lies at the border between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates, and this movement causes earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.
La Cordillera Central mountain range, Puerto Rico

6. Geography and Climate Average year temp.: 82.4°F Record low: 39°F
Temperature does not change drastically throughout the seasons.
Average yearly precipitation: 1678 mm

7. Government and Citizenship
Republican government
House of Representatives, judicial system, and “Resident Commissioner”, who is a non-voting representative in Congress
May not vote in U.S. presidential elections.

8. Government and Citizenship
Since 1947, islanders were able to elect their own governor.
Current Governor: Luis Fortuno
Since the Jones Act in 1917, Puerto Ricans: U.S. citizens.
PR has no embassies since it is not an independent country.
Luis Fortuno

9. Ethnic Groups

10. Population 3,989,133 total population as of 2011 0-14 yrs: 18.8%
65 yrs and over: 15.1%
Most White citizens are from Spanish origin.

11. Population 99% of the population is Hispanic/Latino.
Originally populated by natives known as Tainos. Most forced into slavery or died from diseases and harsh conditions from Spanish settlers
Taino people dwellings

12. Economy and Culture Economy: manufacturing, mainly tourism
Popular sports are baseball, boxing, basketball, volleyball
The main religion is Roman Catholic (85%), with minorities of Protestant and other religions.

13. Thank you for watching!