Puerto Rico, Discover a Magnificent and Unique Island, Full of Adventures and Experiences
Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide, making it the smallest island of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico (Spanish for "rich port") consists of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and several islands: Vieques, Culebra, Mona and numerous islets.
Find More Information About
Puerto Rico is a vibrant and culturally rich island with a diverse range of attractions and features. To learn more about what makes the island magnificent and unique, consider exploring the following topics:
Attractions
Explore hundreds of activities and attractions for all ages and budgets. Puerto Rico is a great place to explore, the possibilities are endless.
History
Discover Puerto Rico's rich history, detailed in a timeline that spans over the last 500 years.
People
The people of Puerto Rico is characterized by a rich blend of cultural and racial diversity, shaped by centuries of historical influences, immigration, and cultural assimilation.
Cuisine
Puerto Rican cuisine is rich and flavorful, reflecting a blend of indigenous, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences. Dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Puerto Rico at a Glance
Puerto Rico pronunciation: por • tuh ree • kow
Capital: San Juan, located on the north east of the island.
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic.
Coordinates: 18°15'N, 66°30'W
Climate: Tropical Marine, average temperatures year round between 80 °F (26.7 °C) and 70 °F (21.1 °C).
Seasons in Puerto Rico
Rainy Season - April through November
Dry Season - December through March
Hurricane Season - June to November
Time zone: Atlantic Standard (UTC - 4:00)
Currency: United States Dollar (USD) $
Population: 3,057,311 (2023 est.)
Nationality: Puerto Rican
Primary ethnicity: Hispanic
Ethnic composition: white (mostly Spanish origin) 75.8%, black 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3% (2010 est.)
National anthem: La Borinqueña
Language: Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.
Government: Democracy, Republic
Total area: 9,104 sq km (3,515 sq mi)
Explore the Cities of Puerto Rico
San Juan
San Juan is the capital and most populous city in Puerto Rico. It is also the oldest city on US territory.Coamo
Coamo is the third-oldest town in Puerto Rico, established by Spanish settlers and founded on July 15, 1570. Highlights of the town's include the historical 18th-century Church of San Blas de Illescas located on the center plaza, considered one of the most important works of religious architecture in Puerto Rico.Vieques
Beauty and history merge on this 21 by 4 mile island. Arawak Indians once lived here and it was an infamous heaven for pirates during the 17th century. Vieques is famous for its amazing beaches and there is a lot of them, ranging from pure white to soft black.Recommendations
A monthly selection of our favorites articles or websites, highlighting a wide variety of topics and companies about or in Puerto Rico. Don't hesitate to share your own discoveries and finds.
- Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico
- Michelle M. Irrizarry, Artist
- La Casa del Libro
- Vieques.com
Articles on the Web
How Puerto Rican Baseball Icon Roberto Clemente Left a Legacy Off the Field By Christopher KleinThe Pittsburgh Pirates' star-the first Latino Hall of Famer in baseball-was a hero for his charity work and social activism prior to his death in a 1972 plane crash.
News
'The last thing I wanted': cesarean rates in Puerto Rico soar amid health crisis
By Coral Murphy Marcos
January 16, 2024
Puerto Rico's luxury tourism on the rise
By Vahely Varela
December 20, 2023
Can Puerto Rican words such as 'perreo' and 'jurutungo' make it into the 'official' Spanish-language dictionary?
By Nicole Acevedo
November 22, 2023
Coqui Quiz
Want to see how much you know about Puerto Rico? Test your knowledge by answering our monthly quiz.
- Fill the blanks.
In 1948 the Puerto Rican government established _________, a program of governmental support for industry through tax breaks.
- Who led the U.S. forces that occupied Puerto Rico in 1898?
- Who is considered the most important figure in Puerto Rican music of the 19th century?
- What was the first book published in the island?
- Where is the largest radio telescope in the world located at?