| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Central America and the Caribbean |
| Geographical Location |
18° 15' North Latitude
66° 30' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
9,104 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation |
| Natural Resources |
Some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil |
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| Political Information |
 |
|
| Country Name |
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico |
| Capital City |
San Juan |
| Government Type |
Commonwealth |
| Administrative Divisions |
none (commonwealth associated with the US) |
| Independence Day |
none (commonwealth associated with the US) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
3,916,632 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Puerto Rican |
| Ethnic Groups |
White (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% |
| Languages |
Spanish, English |
| Population Growth Rate |
0.47% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
US dollar (USD) |
| Industries |
Pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism |
| Labor Force |
1.3 million (2000) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (2000 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, chickens |
| Export Commodities |
Chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment |
| Export Partners |
US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002 est.) |
| Import Commodities |
Chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products |
| Import Partners |
US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4% (2002 est.) |
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| Transportation |
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|
| Railways |
96 km |
| Highways |
25,328 km |
| Pipelines |
- |
| Airports |
30 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+1787 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.pr |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas.
In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was
ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948.
In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose to retain commonwealth status. |
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