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Puerto Rico Country Guide
Explore Puerto Rico in North America
Puerto Rico with the capital city San Juan is located in North America (Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean). It covers some 9,104 square kilometres (slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island) with 3,916,632 citizens.
The topography includes mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north with mountains precipitous to sea on west coast and sandy beaches along most coastal areas. The average density of population is approximately 430 per km². The notable climate conditions in Puerto Rico can be described as tropical marine, mild with little seasonal temperature variation. Possible natural disasters include periodic droughts or hurricanes.
To reach someone in Puerto Rico dial +1-787 and +1-93 prior to a number. There are 870,100 installed telephones. And there are 2,716,000 registered mobile phones. The cellular networks commonly support frequencies of 850/1900 MHz. Websites registered in this country end with the top level domain ".pr". If you want to bring electric equipment on your trip (e.g. laptop power supply), note the local power outlet of 120V - 60Hz.
About the flag and history of Puerto Rico
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.
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.
National administrative regions of Puerto Rico
- 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
- Juana Diaz
- Lajas
- Lares
- Las Marias
- Las Piedras
- Loiza
- Luquillo
- Manati
- Maricao
- Maunabo
- Mayaguez
- Moca
- Morovis
- Municipio de Jayuya
- Municipio de Juncos
- Naguabo
- Naranjito
- Orocovis
- Patillas
- Penuelas
- Ponce
- Puerto Rico (general)
- Quebradillas
- Rincon
- Rio Grande
- Sabana Grande
- Salinas
- San German
- San Juan
- San Lorenzo
- San Sebastian
- Santa Isabel Municipio
- Toa Alta
- Toa Baja
- Trujillo Alto
- Utuado
- Vega Alta
- Vega Baja
- Vieques
- Villalba
- Yabucoa
- Yauco
Geography Quick-Facts
| Summary | Continent: North America Neighbours: Capital: San Juan |
| Size | 9,104 square kilometers (km² or sqkm) or 3,515 square miles (mi² or sqmi) slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island |
| Population | 3,916,632 |
| Currency | Name Dollar, Currency Code:USD |
| Country Top Level Domain (cTLD) | .pr |
| Telephone Country Prefix | +1-787 and +1-93 |
| Mobile Phone Connections | 2,716,000 |
| Landline Phone Connections | 870,100 |
Country Position in World Rankings
Information about single country attributes and how these compare against the rest of the world. The information below is compiled with data from 2013. As such, it may differ a bit to the Information above in the text (which is from 2010).
Geography
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 13,790 (sq km) | 163 |
People and Society
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,674,209 | 129 |
| Population growth rate | -0.47 (%) | 223 |
| Birth rate | 11.28 (births/1,000 population) | 172 |
| Death rate | 8.23 (deaths/1,000 population) | 90 |
| Net migration rate | -7.73 (migrant(s)/1,000 population) | 201 |
| Maternal mortality rate | 20.00 (deaths/100,000 live births) | 138 |
| Infant mortality rate | 8.00 (deaths/1,000 live births) | 158 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 79.07 (years) | 45 |
| Total fertility rate | 1.64 (children born/woman) | 177 |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 7,397 | 110 |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | 29.90 (%) | 25 |
Economy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | 64,840,000,000 | 87 |
| GDP - real growth rate | -5.80 (%) | 217 |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | 16,300 | 82 |
| Labor force | 1,286,000 | 137 |
| Unemployment rate | 16.00 (%) | 151 |
| Taxes and other revenues | 7.20 (% of GDP) | 214 |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -3.10 (% of GDP) | 114 |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 1.20 (%) | 18 |
| Exports | 58,910,000,000 | 56 |
| Imports | 46,580,000,000 | 57 |
| Debt - external | 56,820,000,000 | 57 |
Energy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 20,710,000,000 (kWh) | 71 |
| Electricity - consumption | 19,260,000,000 (kWh) | 70 |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 5,515,000 (kW) | 73 |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 97.20 (% of total installed capacity) | 63 |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 2.80 (% of total installed capacity) | 132 |
| Crude oil - imports | 40,000 (bbl/day) | 61 |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 37,450 (bbl/day) | 88 |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 151,600 (bbl/day) | 66 |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 8,440 (bbl/day) | 90 |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 149,100 (bbl/day) | 37 |
| Natural gas - consumption | 768,900,000 (cu m) | 94 |
| Natural gas - imports | 768,900,000 (cu m) | 64 |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy | 30,860,000 (Mt) | 76 |
Communications
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | 826,100 | 87 |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 3,108,000 | 125 |
| Internet hosts | 469 | 185 |
| Internet users | 1,000,000 | 98 |
Transportation
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 29 | 119 |
| Roadways | 26,670 (km) | 100 |
Data based on CIA facts book 2010 & 2013, wikipedia, national statistical offices and their census releases