Facts on puerto rico: 20 Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico

20 Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico

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Are you the type of traveler who wants to learn everything you can about your destination? If you love to learn about history, culture, and culinary traditions, Puerto Rico is the ideal spot to visit. Get to know the Isle of Enchantment’s rich traditions, natural wonders, and culinary treasures before your trip! Check out these 20 interesting facts about Puerto Rico.

General Travel Facts

• The official languages of the island are Spanish and English, although Spanish is the most widely spoken by residents.
• The official currency is the U.S. dollar, referred to as “peso” or “dolar” by locals.
• American citizens don’t need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.
• Approximately 5 million visitors flock to San Juan each year to explore the island’s history, landscapes, and beaches.
• Puerto Rico has warm, tropical weather year-round, with the temperature generally staying between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most of the island. (Wondering what the weather will be like during your trip? Check out our guide to the best times of year to visit.)

History & Geography

• The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as it’s officially named, is located in the Caribbean Sea, west of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and east of the Dominican Republic. It consists of the main island of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and several smaller islands.
• The island is densely populated, with approximately 3.2 million inhabitants in its 5,515 square miles. For context, Puerto Rico is around the size of Connecticut and has the third-highest population density in the U.S.
• The first inhabitants on the island were the Taínos, a indigenous group of people who lived on the island for centuries before the arrival of European colonists. The Taínos named the island “Boriquen.”
• The name “Puerto Rico” (rich port) refers to the abundance of gold that Spanish colonists found on the island.
• The Catedral de San Juan is the final resting place of Juan Ponce de León, known for leading the first European expedition to Florida and being the first governor of Puerto Rico.
• Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the U.S. under the 1898 Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico officially became an unincorporated territory of the United States in 1917 with the Jones Shafroth Act, which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship.
• Puerto Ricans can have dual citizenship — U.S. citizenship and Puerto Rico citizenship — if they were born on the island or have one parent born on the island.

Culture & Sightseeing

• For more than 50 years, Puerto Rico was home to the Arecibo Observatory, the largest single-aperture telescope in the world. You may have seen it in films like “GoldenEye.” For decades, it was used to explore our atmosphere, study distant planets and asteroids, and more. It could detect faint pulses and radio waves emitted from objects in space. Sadly, the telescope suffered a collapse in 2020 and was decommissioned due to safety concerns.
• The capital city of San Juan is full of historic landmarks to explore, like Castillo San Felipe del Morro, one of the largest fortifications built in the Caribbean in the 16th century; Castillo San Cristóbal, a 27-acre fortress; and Casa Blanca, the oldest residence in San Juan, which was originally built for Juan Ponce de León and is now a museum.

BOOK OLD SAN JUAN TOUR
BOOK OLD SAN JUAN TOUR

Nature

• One of the most famous natural attractions on the island is El Yunque National Forest, the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. It’s full of wonders around every corner, including striking waterfalls, natural pools, hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife.
• You’ve probably already heard of Puerto Rico’s most popular native animal, the coquí. These tiny frogs (typically measuring 1.3 to 1.6 inches in length) are known for their distinctive call, which can be heard throughout Puerto Rico at night as they search for insects in the trees.
• The island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, like Playa Flamenco, which is consistently ranked among the best in the Caribbean and the world.

BOOK EL YUNQUE TOUR
BOOK EL YUNQUE TOUR

Food & Drink

• The piña colada is the national drink of Puerto Rico, and it was invented right here on the island. While the exact origin is hotly debated, most accounts agree on the fact that it was created in San Juan.
• Casa Bacardi, located in Cataño, is the largest rum distillery in the world, producing more than 100,000 liters of rum daily.
• The national dish is arroz con gandules, rice with pigeon peas. While it’s typically consumed on Christmas Eve, you can find it at restaurants year-round. Pigeon peas give the dish a distinctive crunch, and the flavor is elevated by sofrito and salted pork.

BOOK FOOD TOUR
BOOK FOOD TOUR

Now that you know all the places to visit and culinary treats you have to try, start planning all the fun experiences you want to enjoy during your trip! Find all the best tours and activities in Puerto Rico.

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25 Interesting Facts About Puerto Rico

Did you know that Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is an unincorporated territory of the United States? And did you also know that it’s home to some pretty amazing scenery, including rain forests and bioluminescent bays? If you didn’t, then now you do! In addition to its natural beauty, there are many interesting facts about Puerto Rico that may surprise you.

For example, did you know that…

Puerto Ricans have their own designated seat in the United States Congress?

The official languages of Puerto Rico are Spanish and English?

And San Juan is the oldest city in the Americas?

There’s so much more to learn about this fascinating island. So read on for more fun facts!

Related: 10 Amazing Reasons to Travel to Puerto Rico

1. What’s In a Name?

In 1493, Christopher Columbus arrived on the Island of Enchantment and called it San Juan Bautista. The island’s name then became Puerto Rico, meaning “rich port”, because its rivers and streams had gold. The capital city was then named San Juan.

2. Size Matters

Located east of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico is only 3,515 square miles or 9,104 square kilometers.

3. Highest and Lowest Points

The highest point is Cerro de Punta which is said to have “the best view in all of Puerto Rico.” It stands at 1,338 meters or 4,390 feet above sea level.

The lowest point is the Caribbean Sea at sea level.

4. U.S. Citizenship

Yes, Puerto Ricans are American citizens! This is made possible through the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, which passed almost two decades after the Spanish-American War. Still, the island’s inhabitants also have Puerto Rican citizenship.

5. Not Just an Island

Believe it or not, there are 143 smaller islands, islets, and cays in Puerto Rico. Plus, these islands have the most beautiful beaches in the world!

6. Government and Sovereignty

Despite being a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has its own government and sovereignty. This also means that they can’t vote in the U.S. Presidential Elections. However, the head of state is still the POTUS. The governor, who is the head of government, and legislators serve four-year terms.

7. Passport or Visa Requirements?

Interestingly, US citizens don’t need a passport or visa to travel to PR. In fact, the territory is a perfect destination for lawyers and attorneys to complete their CLE requirements thanks to Destination CLEs and the ease of travel to this island. With the Eduvacation℠ of Destination CLEs, you can relax on your well-earned vacation on top of receiving 14 CLE credit hours in beautiful Puerto Rico! Click here to learn more.

8. USD All the Way!

There’s no need to worry about having to exchange your U.S. dollars in Puerto Rico. Talk about convenience!

9. Taínos History

Did you know the Taíno or Taino Indians were the Arawak indigenous people who lived in the Caribbean and Florida? The Classic Taíno population was the group of people who inhabited the islands of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. However, when the Spaniards came, the Taíno became nearly extinct because they didn’t have immunity to the infectious diseases brought over during colonization.

Related: 10 Best Things To Do in Carolina, Puerto Rico

10. The Only Tropical Rainforest in the U.S.

El Yunque National Forest is home to an impressive 183 animal species and 240 plant species, respectively. If you enjoy natural wonders, you’ll definitely love the hiking trails and waterfalls in this magnificent rainforest.

11. Weather

Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with a dry and rainy season. From late June to November, you can expect natural hazards like hurricanes, while December to May typically has the dry season.

12. Beach, Please!

Of course, the island is filled with beautiful sandy beaches, including an iconic beach that hosts heavily-graffitied military tanks. Flamenco Beach houses these tanks right alongside its turquoise waters and fine white sands.

13. Extremely Tall

You can find the tallest statue in the Americas in PR. Called “Birth of the New World,” it’s more than twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty in New York City. It stands at 360 feet, or 110 meters. The statue was a tribute to Columbus.

14. A Trip to the Caverns

Puerto Rico also has the biggest cave system in the Western Hemisphere. The Caverns of Rio Camuy is an impressive cave network stretching for 268 acres. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll love covering the mapped trails, subterranean waterfalls, and deep canyons here.

15. Going Into the Deep

The Puerto Rico Trench found in the north Atlantic Ocean is the deepest point of the ocean. The depths reach over 8,400 meters, or over 27,500 feet!

16. Bright Lights

For one of the most spectacular sights you’ll ever see, we suggest venturing to Lajas, Fajardo, or Vieques Island to find three of the world’s four bioluminescent bays. Plus, Mosquito Bay in Vieques Island is a Guinness Record holder for being the brightest bio bay in the world. La Parguera in Lajas allows you to swim in the waters, while Laguna Grande in Fajardo has night kayaking tours.

17. First Nuclear Plant

The Caribbean’s first nuclear plant can be found in Puerto Rico. However, it only serves as a museum today.

18. Forbidden Island

The small uninhabited island called Desecheo Island is forbidden because it was used as a testing field by the U.S. Navy during World War II until 1952, and today it still has explosive equipment present. It’s located northeast of Mona Island, and it became a tropical marine reserve in 2000.

This strange island also has an endangered cacti species called higo chumbo (Harrisia portoricensis).

19. More Uninhabited Islands

Caja de Muertos, Gilligans Island, Isla Palomino, and Cayo Caracoles are just a few of the other uninhabited islands in Puerto Rico. Visitors can stroll along the shore, but there might be other restrictions.

20. Rum!

The Cathedral of Rum which houses Casa BACARDÍ, Bacardí Family Museum, Bacardí Distillery, and Bacardí Pavilion, is the largest rum distillery in the world. Plus, Casa BACARDÍ Special Reserve is an exclusive blend found only in Puerto Rico.

Related: The Best Places to Go for a Weekend Trip in the U.S.

21. If You Like Piña Coladas…

Although coconuts aren’t indigenous to the island, this tree was introduced in 1542 during the Spanish colonization and have grown in Puerto Rico since. The locals quickly incorporated coconuts into their diet and even invented piña colada in the process! Today, this PR national drink is a favorite all over the world!

22. Old San Juan’s Grandest

Catedral de San Juan Bautista is the second oldest structure in the Americas. It also houses the remains of Juan Ponce de León, who’s known to be the first governor of Puerto Rico and led the first European expedition to Florida. He died in Havana in 1521.

23. Cobblestone Streets

Old San Juan also has the original cobblestones that date back to when PR was still a colony of Spain. These are not your typical cobblestones, though. Instead, these stones have a greyish-blue tinge because of iron slag.

24. Pirate Robin Hood

Roberto Cofresí is a well-known pirate from this island. He used to attack ships and distribute the loot to the poor while he was actively pirating in the early 1800’s. The name Mosquito Bay also came from a small ship owned by this pirate Robin Hood.

25. Livin’ la Vida Loca

Who doesn’t love Ricky Martin? Maybe the younger generation wouldn’t know him right away, but even Gen Z would be able to recognize his iconic Latin pop songs. This singer-songwriter is just one of the many famous Puerto Ricans who dominated the world of celebrities. Other notable people with Puerto Rican ancestry include Rita Moreno, Michelle Rodriguez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, José Ferrer, Carmelo Anthony, Bruno Mars, and Benicio del Toro, among others.

Conclusion

All in all, Puerto Rico is an amazing place with a rich culture and history. If you’re looking for a vacation destination that offers something unique and exciting, look no further than Puerto Rico!

Whether you want to relax on the beach or explore the jungle, there’s something for everyone in Puerto Rico.

And don’t forget, with the Eduvacation℠ of Destination CLEs, you can earn your required CLE credits while enjoying all of the fun activities PR has to offer.

So, what are you waiting for? Click here to start planning your dream vacation to Puerto Rico today!

Related:

• 10 Amazing Reasons to Travel to Puerto Rico
• 10 Best Things To Do in Carolina, Puerto Rico
• The Best Places to Go for a Weekend Trip in the U. S.

Curious facts about Jews in Puerto Rico

Curious facts about Jews in Puerto Rico

Curious facts about the Jews in Puerto Rico

Image:

pixabay

Puerto Rico is a small Caribbean island nation that is part of the United States Commonwealth. Its population, which consists mainly of the descendants of the Spanish colonialists, is approximately 3.5 million people. For a long time, the world community knew little about the history of the country, and only the strongest natural disaster of 2017, which was the most powerful tropical hurricane Maria, which caused widespread floods and destruction, contributed to the fact that certain materials began to appear about Puerto Rico. In particular, some details of the appearance of the Jewish community on the island became known. The life of the Jews in Puerto Rico cannot be called smooth, but over time the situation has gradually changed, and now it has a constant positive trend.

The first Jews of Puerto Rico

The first Europeans came to the island as part of the expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1493. Interestingly, some researchers of the biography of the famous navigator consider Columbus to be a secret Jew. In favor of this they give some facts. Firstly, the expedition was funded by the Jews of the Spanish kingdom. Secondly, at least one member of the expedition named Louis de Torres was indeed a secret Jew. And one more, albeit indirect connection. The expedition of Columbus began on the day when, according to the royal order, all Spanish Jews were ordered to leave the country.

But even if this island was discovered by a Jew, the subsequent events closed the road to the New Lands for the Jewish community. In 1508, the island territories were officially included in the lands subordinate to the Spanish crown, which automatically excluded the presence of potential Jewish settlers here. Even the fact that a person accepted the Catholic faith did not change the situation. Confirmation that the system of prohibitions, introduced by the Inquisitors, acted rigorously, is the execution in 1723 of a certain Jew, Judah Cohen. The reason for it was that he dared to settle on the island of Curacao, which is part of the Caribbean archipelago.

Nevertheless, the Jews still penetrated the island. Having adopted Christian names and entered into Catholicism, they secretly settled on the island, settling in remote mountainous regions. Subsequently, the researchers found a number of Jews who settled in Puerto Rico under the name Mercado. The literal translation of this word means “merchant”, which is quite consistent with one of the main specialties of people of this nationality. According to documents, a certain number of Jews lived on the island in the 1800s, and in the city of Aguadilla there was even a small Jewish community, and in the city of Mayages, the doctor Isaac de Lima openly practiced.

The arrival of the Americans

In the late 1890s, as a result of the Spanish-American war, in which the Spaniards received a crushing defeat, the island was separated from the metropolis. Spanish laws ceased to apply here, and Jews were officially allowed to live on the island. The first to openly settle in Puerto Rico were former American soldiers from among the soldiers left on the island as a guard garrison. They formed the core of a single Jewish community. Its unofficial leader was Noah Shepard. Subsequently, many former military personnel worked in the island administration, creating a new legal code, judicial and health systems.

A new wave of Jews arrived in Puerto Rico after the US entered World War II. A landing force landed on the island, which included 4 hundreds of Jews. They organized a communal Seder for local Jewish residents. Since the end of the war, Puerto Rico’s development has attracted significant investment. Enterprises began to open on the island, in which some of the specialists were American Jews.

Island as a refuge for fugitives

After a wave of coup d’état swept through Latin America, Jewish settlers again went to Puerto Rico. The first group came from neighboring Cuba, where at the time dictator Batista had been replaced by the pro-communist Castro regime. Interestingly, some Cuban Jews were Holocaust survivors. They, having endured troubles, decided to find a safer home. Another group of Jews moved to Puerto Rico after the military junta came to power in Argentina. The coup in this country caused a mass exodus of people, among whom there was a significant number of Jews. The latest wave came to Puerto Rico from Venezuela, a state where an economic crisis erupted, causing sharp political confrontation.

Creation of a Garden of Eden on the island

In the 1980s, Israel was one of the state’s investors. He proposed an advanced program for the development of agriculture. The result of this initiative was the appearance on the island of about 200 Israeli Jews who worked on the construction of irrigation systems and the organization of modern agricultural farms. It is thanks to their efforts that Puerto Rico received a modern 2,000-acre educational farm in the southern region of Santa Isabel. Subsequently, this innovative enterprise became known as “Gan Eden”, literally translated “Garden of Eden”.

Its specialists have developed and implemented a number of commercial projects, such as a vegetable farm with the latest technology and a mango garden. By joint efforts, mangoes, papaya, cucumbers and squash crops, as well as peppers began to be grown and supplied to foreign markets. Confirmation of the gratitude of the Puerto Rican people to the Israelis is the resolution of 2005, which officially recognized the friendship between Puerto Rico and Israel.

At the moment, the island is home to the largest Jewish community in the entire Caribbean archipelago, numbering about 1.5 thousand people. Most of them live in the administrative center of Puerto Rico – the city of San Juan. The needs of the Jewish community are met by 3 synagogues, a Jewish community center and a kosher grocery store. There is also a Jewish school and a Zionist youth club on the island, and the Chabad center operating here has a kosher restaurant that serves over 30,000 meals a year to its customers.

The quantitative composition of the local community is unstable and constantly changing. If until the 1990s the diaspora was constantly increasing its number, then its decline began. The reason for this phenomenon was that 9 out of 10 young Jews leave to study in the United States, after which most of them do not return back. To some extent, this negative trend is reduced by the investment policy, which brings entrepreneurs with fresh ideas to the island, organizes new enterprises, and contributes to the return of literate Jewish specialists to the island.

The role of Jews in eliminating the consequences of Hurricane Maria

In 2017, namely during the Rosh Hashanah period, the most powerful hurricane Maria swept through Puerto Rico, causing enormous damage to the economy and infrastructure of the island. Overflowing the banks of the river, fallen trees and electrical poles, a huge number of cars that have become unusable – this is not a complete list of the damage caused. Even a week after the passage of the hurricane, 97% of the island’s territory still had no electricity, and people had to get at least some food and drinking water with great difficulty.

In the humanitarian crisis that broke out, the Jewish community showed its best side. She tried to alleviate the suffering of both her co-religionists and the rest of the inhabitants of the island as much as possible. A special Fund was created at the Chabad Jewish Center, the most heavily affected by the disaster, to coordinate the receipt and distribution of humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the island. One of the first states to come to the aid of Puerto Rico was Israel. The Jewish organization Isra AID immediately formed and sent groups of qualified specialists to the affected island, designed to provide comprehensive assistance to the local population.

We invite you to our telegram: My Israel.

Author:

Anna Bok, for IsraLove

Commonwealth of Dominica Facts – Corporate Solutions Ltd

Introduction to

Commonwealth of Dominica

Commonwealth of Dominica is deservedly called the Caribbean Wildlife Sanctuary. Primordial rainforests cover two-thirds of the island and are home to 1,200 plant species. Rivers, lakes, streams and waterfalls abound due to generous rainfall. The island has 365 rivers.

Although Dominica currently has no active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and the world’s second largest boiling lake can be seen as an echo of volcanic activity.

Currently, the government of Dominica is actively investing in the development of the tourism industry, relying on lovers of virgin tropical nature, diving and walking eco-tours.

Facts about the Islands

Location

• The island is located in the east of the Caribbean, just a few miles from Martinique and Guadeloupe.
• The official name of the state is the Commonwealth of Dominica, although it is often confused with its northern sister, the Dominican Republic.

Geography

• Dominica is a mountainous island of volcanic origin. The island’s highest peak, Diabloten (1447 m), is also the highest point in the Caribbean archipelago.
• The island is sparsely populated – only 70,000 people inhabit its territory of 462 square meters. km. A significant part of the population lives in the vicinity of the capital Roseau.

Language

• While English is the official language spoken with melodious French undertones, the majority of the population speaks Kwèyòl, a Creole.

Climate

• Humid tropical. There is a relatively dry and more humid season with heavy rainfall.
• Average daily air temperature during the year is +28С; the sea water is only a few degrees cooler.

Government

• State system: unitary parliamentary republic, the president is elected by the parliament.
• Member of the Commonwealth of Nations, Organization of American States (OAS), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
• Permanent Member of the United Nations

Currency

• East Caribbean dollar (XCD $). The rate is pegged to the US dollar ($1.00 USD = $2.70 XCD)
• US Dollars accepted by most stores and commercial establishments with change given in East Caribbean Dollars

Economy

• No income tax on foreign income
• Main industries: tourism, agriculture, construction and light industry
• Main exports: coffee, cocoa, bananas, citrus and tropical fruits, rum, timber and soap

Culture

• Dominica is the only island that still has direct descendants of the Carib Indians who inhabited the Caribbean before the arrival of Columbus.
• Music and dance are important aspects of Dominica’s culture. There are several large-scale festivals, concerts and events throughout the year, such as the “International Festival of Creole Music”.
• Dominica rose to prominence in the international music scene thanks to the talented local artists who founded the modern Creole music movement.

How to get there

• Dominica has 2 airports: Melville Hall International Airport, which receives commercial flights from other Caribbean islands, and the small Canefield Airport for private flights.
• Flights to the USA, Canada and Europe are carried out with transfers at the airports of the islands of Antigua, Barbados, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
• Dominica welcomes cruise ships and private yachts.
• The Dominica Commonwealth Passport entitles you to visa-free or simplified entry to more than 95 countries around the world.

Historical facts

• The Commonwealth of Dominica gained its independence from the UK in 1978. Banana production, the main export commodity, provided for the prosperity of the island, however, with the loss of its preferential access to the UK market in 1992, Dominica experienced a sharp decline in exports , which led to a decrease in economic growth and many years of stagnation, which lasted until 2005, when a series of successful macroeconomic reforms were carried out.