Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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 not to alter the existing political status.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`18 15 N, 66 30 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 13,790 sq km country comparison to the world: 162 land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`501 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`400 sq km (2003)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`periodic droughts; hurricanes`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages`
Geography - note: |  |
`important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north`

People

Population: |  |
`3,989,133 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 128`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 18.8% (male 383,748/female 367,484) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,270,557/female 1,366,417) 65 years and over: 15.1% (male 258,570/female 342,357) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 37.3 years male: 35.5 years female: 39 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`0.254% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 172`
Birth rate: |  |
`11.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 172`
Death rate: |  |
`7.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 148`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 99% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`SAN JUAN (capital) 2.73 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 161 male: 8.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 78.92 years country comparison to the world: 43 male: 75.31 years female: 82.71 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.62 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 176`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`7,397 (1997) country comparison to the world: 111`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)`
Religions: |  |
`Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%`
Languages: |  |
`Spanish, English`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.1% male: 93.9% female: 94.4% (2002 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`NA`
Education expenditures: |  |
`NA`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico`
Dependency status: |  |
`unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President`
Government type: |  |
`commonwealth`
Capital: |  |
`name: San Juan geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |

`
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco
`

Independence: |  |
`none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)`
National holiday: |  |
`US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)`
Constitution: |  |
`ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law system based on the Spanish civil code and within the framework of the US federal system`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14
note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution`
International organization participation: |  |
`Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UNWTO (associate), UPU`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)`
Flag description: |  |

`
five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace
note: design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed
`

National anthem: |  |

`
name: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)
lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES
note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$64.84 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $68.84 billion (2009 est.) $71.51 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$93.52 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`-5.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 -3.7% (2009 est.) -2.8% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$16,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $17,400 (2009 est.) $18,100 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (2005 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`1.479 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 133`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 2.1% industry: 19% services: 79% (2005)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`12% (2002) country comparison to the world: 127`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion (FY99/00)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`6.5% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 167`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens`
Industries: |  |
`pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`23.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`22.06 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`1,783 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`164,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62`
Oil - exports: |  |
`16,520 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91`
Oil - imports: |  |
`225,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`806.6 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181`
Exports: |  |
`$46.9 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 56`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment`
Imports: |  |
`$29.1 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 61`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products`
Debt - external: |  |
`$NA`
Exchange rates: |  |
`the US dollar is used`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`870,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 84`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`2.716 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 118`
Telephone system: |  |
`general assessment: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services international: country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat`
Broadcast media: |  |
`more than 30 television stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations operating (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.pr`
Internet hosts: |  |
`482 (2010) country comparison to the world: 182`
Internet users: |  |
`1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 98`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`29 (2010) country comparison to the world: 116`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 26,670 km country comparison to the world: 101 paved: 25,337 km (includes 427 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,333 km (2008)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 3 country comparison to the world: 139 by type: roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: 3 (US 3) registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 700,443 females age 16-49: 786,035 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 30,517 female: 29,010 (2010 est.)`
Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of the US`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011