Puerto Rico

Environment/ Location/Region/Climate

Location & Enviroment:

Puerto Rico is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Over 60% of the island is mountainous terrain. It is also home to "El Yunque" which is the Caribbean National Forest. Moreover "More than 100 billion gallons (yes, billion) of rain fall here each year, creating a lush forest with plants of incredible proportions and variety. A moist hike or horseback ride take you past 240 species of trees, some thousands of years old, 50 species of ferns, 20 varieties of wild orchids and riotous multitude of flowers." The island is also home to the coqui frog, which is known for the distinct sound that it makes.

One of Puerto Rico's island's, Mona, is home to species not found anywhere else in the world. Overall Puerto Rico is very diverse in flora and fauna.

Region:

Within the overall context Puerto Rico's region is considered "formally" to the United States. However, taking a cultural perspective, in comparision to the United States the island is very homogenous within itself.

Climate:

The tropical climate on the island remains relatively high during the year at around 82 degrees F. Hurricanes are more likely to occur between June to November. Moreover, the central mountain region is known for having cooler spring-like temperatures.

Sources:

http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Puerto+Rico/Climate

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/geogra.shtml

Economy/Imports/Exports

Puerto Rico is said to have an economy that is largely dependent on that of the United States. Up until the middle of the 20th century its economy included money earned from sugarcane plantations. Despite a decline, there is still an agricultural economy, but it only makes up 1% of the GDP. Tourism makes up a significant portion of the economy.

"Export Partners: US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002 est.)"

"Imports Partners: US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4% (2002 est.)"

Puerto Rico's GDP is actually only $17,200 per capita. This ranks it 70th in the world, which is lower than Croatia, Poland, and Estonia. It is also less than half of the United States GDP.

Sources :

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html?countryName=Puerto%20Rico&countryCode=rq&regionCode=ca&rank=70#rq

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/economy.shtml

Politics/World Systems

Politically, Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since Spain lost its posessions during the Spanish-American War (1898). It is now "self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States. " They are permitted to elect a governor, however the President of the U.S is their Chief of State. Moreover, the government of Puerto Rico only has control of internal affairs on the island. In other words the "United States controls: interstate trade, foreign relations and commerce, customs administration, control of air, land and sea, immigration and emigration, nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service, military bases, army, navy and air force, declaration of war, constitutionality of laws, jurisdictions and legal procedures, treaties, radio and television--communications, agriculture, mining and minerals, highways, postal system; Social Security, and other areas generally controlled by the federal government in the United States (Welcome to P.R)." Therefore, Puerto Rico is also included in NAFTA.

Puerto Rico is separated into 78 municipalties

Internally the Island has three major parties:

Popular Democratic Party (PPD)- Status Quo

New Progressive Party (PNP) Pro-Statehood

Independence Party (PIP) Independence

Source:

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/history.shtml

People and Population

Puerto Rico's population is approximently 3.9 Million. the population is currently growing at a rate of .279%. Most of the residents of the island reside in urban areas. According to the census Puerto Ricans identified themselves as: "white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)." Culturally, Puerto Rico is very diverse. Historically it has recieved influences from Spain, Tainos, Africans, and the U.S.

Puerto Rican Diaspora:

Causes: Political & Economic

Since the late 1800's islanders began to migrate to the United States. By the mid 1960's almost ten percent of New York City's population was Puerto Rico. However, migration was not limited to just New York, but it expanded to major cities such as Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. Today it continues to other states, such as Florida. The stateside Puerto Rican population is estimated to be at about 3 million.

Sources:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rq.html

http://palante.org/History.htm

Religion

Due to Puerto Rico's historical ties to Spanish colonialism, most of its population (85%) is Roman Catholic. The second most popular is Protestant (8%). The rise in the Protestant population came as a resulted of influences from the United States. Despite those being the two major religions on the island, minor ones do exist. Two of these are Santeria (influence from nearby Cuba) and Judaism. Overall, religion has been and still remains a major influence in festivities and traditions on the island.

Puerto Rico’s Religion Practices. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2010. http://www.puertorico.com/‌culture/‌religion/

Me

On February 27, 1990 I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At a very young age I moved to California and have lived here since. Most of my relatives still reside on the island and I maintain contact with them.