Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic.
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, Puerto Rico was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 after Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the A ...
Longitude: -66.5
Your Location
Latitude: 39.04372
Longitude: -77.48749
Home country: United States
Distance to Puerto Rico:
2,543.773 km
Terrain:
Mostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas.
Natural Resources:
Some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil.
Industries:
Pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism.
Population: 3,019,450
Population clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low.
Area: 8,870 km2
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
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.
| Code | Language |
|---|---|
| eng | English |
| spa | Spanish |
Spanish, English
| Code | Currency | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| USD | United States dollar | $ |
Capital City: San Juan
Local time: Thursday, December 11 at 11:39 am (GMT-04:00)
The flag of Puerto Rico has five horizontal stripes (red and white) with a blue triangle and a white star.
Bordering Countries
Puerto Rico has no bordering countries.
Visiting Puerto Rico
You're in for a treat! Puerto Rico is a fascinating place to explore, especially from December to April. Here's what you could encounter:
- Beautiful beaches and clear waters
- Rich cultural heritage and history
- Vibrant cities and nightlife
- High levels of crime in certain areas
- Hurricane season from June to November
- Occasional political protests
- 4HIGH RISK
Travel is risky, prepare well and consider avoiding
- Puerto Rican cuisine features rice, beans, and pork.
- Popular dishes include mofongo, arroz con gandules, and tostones.
- Fresh tropical fruits and local rum are widely enjoyed.
- Relax on the beaches of San Juan
- Explore the El Yunque National Forest
- Visit the historic forts of Old San Juan
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