Introduction
Background
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher 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 with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood.
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
Area (sq km)
total: 13,790 sq km
land: 8,870 sq km
water: 4,921 sq km
Area - comparative (sq km)
slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries (km)
0 km
Coastline (km)
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 (m)
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: 6.76%
permanent crops: 4.51%
other: 88.73% (2011)
Irrigated land (sq km)
220.4 sq km (2005)
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 and Society
Nationality
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican
Ethnic groups (%)
white 75.8%, black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3%
note: 99% of the population is Latino (2010 est.)
Languages (%)
Spanish, English
Religions (%)
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Population
3,620,897 (July 2014 est.) evolution and prospects (1950-2100)
Age structure (%)
0-14 years: 18.1% (male 335,142/female 319,765)
15-24 years: 14.5% (male 267,596/female 256,487)
25-54 years: 38.5% (male 665,092/female 727,412)
55-64 years: 12% (male 197,256/female 238,139)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 265,674/female 348,334) (2014 est.)
Median age (years)
total: 38.7 years
male: 36.8 years
female: 40.5 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate (%)
-0.65% (2014 est.)
Birth rate (births/1,000 population)
10.9 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)
8.51 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
-8.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization (%)
urban population: 98.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million (2011)
Sex ratio (male(s)/female)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Maternal mortality rate (deaths/100,000 live births)
20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)
total: 7.73 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
total population: 79.09 years
male: 75.46 years
female: 82.8 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)
1.64 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Drinking water source (% of population)
improved: urban: 93.6% of population
rural: 93.6% of population
total: 93.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population
rural: 6.4% of population
total: 6.4% of population (2001 est.)
Sanitation facility access (% of population)
improved: urban: 99.3% of population
rural: 99.3% of population
total: 99.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population
rural: 0.7% of population
total: 0.7% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
Education expenditures (% of GDP)
NA
Literacy (%)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.3%
male: 89.7%
female: 90.9% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) (years)
total: 16 years
male: 14 years
female: 17 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 (%)
total: 26.6%
male: 28.9%
female: 23.1% (2012)
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
previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952; note - constitutional amendments introduced in 2012 were rejected in a referendum (2013)
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; note - 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 Alejandro GARCIA Padilla (since 2 January 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature
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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: Alejandro GARCIA Padilla elected governor with 48.2% 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 18, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 28, PNP 23
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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 associate judges)
note - the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Judiciary Act of 2003 reformed the judicial system
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts
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, UNWTO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
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 symbol(s)
Puerto Rican spindalis (bird); coqui (frog)
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, however, growth has been negative for the past four years, and unemployment rose to nearly 16% in 2011. The industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Mainland 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. Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$64.84 billion (2010 est.)
$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.)
-3.7% (2009 est.)
-2.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$16,300 (2010 est.)
$17,400 (2009 est.)
$18,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (%)
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 48.8%
services: 50.5% (2013 est.)
Labor force
1.286 million (March 2012)
Labor force - by occupation (%)
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 19%
services: 79% (2005)
Unemployment rate (%)
16% (2011 est.)
12% (2002 est.)
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)
Taxes and other revenues (% of GDP)
7.2% of GDP (FY99/00)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) (% of GDP)
-3.1% of GDP (FY99/00)
Public debt (% of GDP)
96.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
93.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)
0.9% (2013 est.)
2.6% (2012 est.)
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 (%)
0.5% (2013 est.)
Exports
$69.75 billion (2013 est.)
$67.3 billion (2012 est.)
Exports - commodities (%)
chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment
Imports
$47.32 billion (2013 est.)
$49 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities (%)
chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
External debt ($)
$56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
$52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency converter
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year
1 July - 30 June
Energy
Electricity - production (kWh)
20.02 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - consumption (kWh)
19.43 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports (kWh)
0 kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - imports (kWh)
0 kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity (kW)
5.571 million kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels (% of total installed capacity)
97.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants (% of total installed capacity)
2.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production (bbl/day)
673.7 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves (bbl)
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption (bbl/day)
151,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports (bbl/day)
176,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption (cu m)
770 million cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports (cu m)
750 million cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m)
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy (Mt)
28.53 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use
780,200 (2012)
Telephones - mobile cellular
3.06 million (2012)
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 (2011)
Broadcast media
more than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations (2007)
Internet country code
.pr
Internet hosts
469 (2012)
Internet users
1 million (2009)
Transportation
Airports
29 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 17
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 10 (2013)
Roadways (km)
total: 26,862 km (includes 454 km of expressways) (2012)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan
container port(s) (TEUs): San Juan (1,484,595)
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
Largest cities of Puerto Rico
These are the 50 largest cities of Puerto Rico ordered based on their number of inhabitants.
| # | City | Population |
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