Puerto Rico
By: Monica Latham
Location
Puerto Rico is an island between the Carribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean and it is east of the Dominican Republic. The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan and the current population in 2011 is 3,706,690.
Are Puerto Ricans Americans?
Puerto Ricans are US citizens because of a US Congress law passed in 1917, and not just simply because the island of Puerto Rico is a US territory. This law is called the Jones-Shafroth Act. The freedom to live and work in the US mainland. The widely spoken language in the island is Spanish, whether at home, school or work. English is also spoken, but not widely. Regarding language fluency, the majority of Puerto Ricans speak fluent Spanish and about a quarter can also speak fluent English.
Coqui
One of Puerto Rico's favorite animal is a tiny frog found everywhere in the island- is only an "unofficial national symbol", its image figures prominently in Puerto Rican culture and heritage.The coquí is a very popular creature throughout the island and enlivens the evenings with its timid ko-kee from which it get its name.
El Loro Puertorriqueno
Another one of Puerto Rico's favorite animals is the El Loro Puertorriqueno. The bird became an endangered species in 1971, when only twenty of these parrots left. Their numbers have now increased. You might see one in El Yunque, the tropical rain forest.
Favorite Sport
Puerto Rico's favorite sport is baseball. Puerto Rico has a winter baseball team with a devoted following of fans. Some consider baseball to be the most popular sport on the island.
Currency
The currency of Puerto Rico is the United States Dollar (USD).
Music/Dance
Puerto Rico is known for there traditional and folk music/dancing. In Puerto Rico, music can always be heard and is often at the center of an event. Based on the native influences and the traditions from Spanish romantic ballads, the folk music of Puerto Rico was born. The most popular songs in this genre come from jibaros, rural islanders who live in the mountains. The use of string istruments like the cuatro, and several types of percussion set the backdrop for these lyrical performances.
El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is a forest located in northeastern Puerto Rico. It is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System.
Castillo de San Cristobal
The Castillo de San Cristóbal is a Spanish fort in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built by Spain to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of San Juan National Historical Site.
Arecibo observatory
The Arecibo Observatory is a radio telescope in the municipality of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.The observatory's radio telescope is the world's largest single-aperture telescope.
La Ceiba de Ponce
Parque de la Ceiba is a park in barrio San Aton, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Its centerpiece is the historic Ceiba tree, a tree associated with the founding of the city.
El Morro
Castillo San Felipe del Morro also known as Fort San Felipe del Morro or Morro Castle, is a 16th-century citadel located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin was born on December 24, 1971 in Puerto Rico. Ricky is famous for his singing and was most widely known and successful for his hit song, "Livin' La Vida Loca."
Joseline Hernandez
Joseline Hernandez was born on November 11, 1986 in Puerto Rico. Joseline is famous for her rapping and her appearance on the reality TV show "Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta."
Miguel Cotto
Miguel Cotto was born on October 29. 1980 in Puerto Rico. Miguel Cotto is famous for his boxing who won world championship titles in three different weight divisions.
Puerto Rico's famous plates
The aroma that wafts from kitchens throughout Puerto Rico comes from adobo and sofrito -blends of herbs and spices that give many of the native foods their distinctive taste and color. Adobo, made by crushing together peppercorns, oregano, garlic, salt, olive oil, and lime juice or vinegar, is rubbed into meats before they are roasted. Sofrito, a potpourri of onions, garlic, coriander, and peppers browned in either olive oil or land and colored with achiote (annatoo seeds), imparts the bright-yellow color to the island's rice, soups, and stews.