Interesting Puerto Rico Facts.
Puerto Rico facts compiled in one place for your reading pleasure is the aim of this article.
Have you ever heard couples name Puerto Rico as their dream honeymoon destination? That is because Puerto Rico is an island country that is located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. It is directly east of the Dominican Republic, and west of the British and the United States Virgin Islands. The country is comprised of one large island, where most of the inhabitants live, and many smaller islands. The country is home to 3.6 million people, while its capital city of San Juan is home to almost 400,000 people. The primary languages are both Spanish and English. An interesting fun fact about Puerto Rico is that the country is one of few in the world that is officially bilingual. Puerto Rico does not have an official religion, and their constitution states that all citizens have freedom of religion. The most popular religions that are practiced in the country are Catholicism and Protestantism. Let’s be clear before you read further, Puerto Rico is actually not a country, it has no president of it’s own, the current president of the US at any time is the de facto president of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Facts
- The country’s flag is comprised of a blue triangle with a white star located on the left side, with red and white stripes filling the rest of the flag’s background.
- The currency in Puerto Rico is United States dollar; however it is often referred to as the peso or dollar in the country.
- The country’s total nominal GDP is $98.76 billion, which is the 98th highest in the world. Its per capita GDP is $26,588, which is the 35th highest in the world. This means that Puerto Ricans have a very high standard of living.
- Puerto Rico’s economy thrives from tourism, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and technology.
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- Their main exports today include chemicals, electronics, tuna, rum and medical equipment. Their main imports include oil, food, clothing and machinery.
- Puerto Rico’s main trading partner is the United States. They also trade heavily with the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom.
- Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493, one year after he discovered the Americas. He named it San Juan Bautista, after John the Baptist.
- The United States gained Puerto Rico as a territory after the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Treaty of Paris that was signed to end the war allotted the island country to the United States in 1917.
- Spanish and English are the two main languages spoken throughout the island.
- Throughout the entire year, the temperatures in Puerto Rico vary between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Basketball, volleyball and boxing are the most popular sports in Puerto Rico.
- The tasty and spicy food of Puerto Rico comes from a mixture of Spanish, America, British and African inspirations.
- In Puerto Rico, it is very well-mannered to kiss someone on the cheek when greeting them. During your conversation, it is also appropriate to stand very close to the person who you are talking to.
- Many of the words that Puerto Ricans use for building names, household items and food products originated from the Taino Indians, who lived in Puerto Rico before Christopher Columbus founded the island.
- Spanglish can be heard in parts of the country, due to the influence of the English language.
- Bomba, plena and trova music can be heard throughout the streets of Puerto Rico during parties and celebrations. Merengue music and dancing is also popular.
- In the late 1960s, many Cubans fled to Puerto Rico in order to leave Fidel Castro’s ruling. Due to this, many traditional Cubans meals and traditions have been incorporated into Puerto Rico’s culture. See some fun facts about Cuba.
- Women from Puerto Rico have won the Miss Universe pageant five times. Even though the country is a territory of the United States, it competes as an individual.
- Puerto Rico also competes individually in the Olympics each year, and they have won six medals total.
- The country isn’t home to any indigenous large wildlife. Most of their animals are exotic birds and fish.
- The largest telescope in the world is located in Puerto Rico. It is used to look at asteroids in space, and determine if any ever get too close to the Earth’s surface.
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- The widest part of the island is 65 kilometers.
- Rum has contributed greatly to the widely to the country’s economy and history. It has been apart of the island’s history for over 400 years.
- Puerto Rican grants its people the freedom of religion in its constitution. The major religion practiced is Catholicism, with 85% of the population following this faith.
- Because Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, Americans do not need a passport to travel there. However, it’s always a good idea to bring a photo I.D. card.
- The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18.
- The formal name of Puerto Rico is Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, which translates to mean Free Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rico has a total of 78 municipalities. These are similar to counties found in U.S. states.
- Puerto Rico is very famous for its beaches, and it is no wonder. The area has 270 miles of beaches to explore.
- Puerto Rico’s flag was officially adopted in 1922. The red stripes represent the “blood” that nourishes the three branches of government.
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The Puerto Rico facts above isn’t complete without the next section dedicated to answering some of the most frequently asked questions asked about these fun facts about Puerto Rico as well as other important information about the beautiful country called Puerto Rico.
FAQ About Puerto Rico
What are 5 interesting facts about Puerto Rico?
The following are 5 interesting facts about Puerto Rico that you need to know:
- Puerto Rico is not a country.
- Puerto Rico is officially a bilingual ‘country’.
- The oldest churches found in the Americas(North and South America) are both located in Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rico has no president of it’s own.
- All Puerto Ricans are US citizens.
What are 3 interesting facts about Puerto Rico?
The following are 3 interesting facts about Puerto Rico you might want to know:
- The largest rum distillery in the world is located in Puerto Rico.
- A tropical rainforest without bears and snakes can only be found in Puerto Rico.
- Male chicken Fighting is not only a popular sport but also a legal sport in Puerto Rico.
What are some fun facts about Puerto Rico?
Some fun facts about Puerto Rico are:
- Male chicken Fighting is a popular and legal sport in Puerto Rico.
- All Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States.
- Puerto Rico’s national flower is the hibiscus flower.
- Citizens of Puerto Rico do not pay income tax.
What is Puerto Rico known as?
Puerto Rico is officially known as Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico in Spanish or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in English.
What is Puerto Rico known for food?
These are some popular food Puerto Rico is known for:
- Mofongo.
- Pernil.
- Rellenos de Papa.
- Pasteles.
- Tostones. PIN IT.
- Arroz Con Gandules.
- Alcapurrias.
- Empanadillas. PIN IT.
- Mofongo.
- Pernil.
- Rellenos de Papa.
- Pasteles.
What animals live in Puerto Rico?
All mammals found in Puerto Rico were introduced to the area by man, except bats. Basically, naturally only bats are found in Puerto Rico.
How many beaches does Puerto Rico have?
There are varying numbers of beaches in Puerto Rico according to different reports. The number of beaches in Puerto Rico are estimated to be at most 1200 beaches but only 248 of these beaches are recognized officially by the government of Costa Rica.
Who is the most famous Puerto Rican?
The following are some of the most popular Puerto Ricans:
- Ricky Martin.
- Roberto Clemente
- 6ix9ine.
- Luis Fonsi
- Daddy Yankee
