Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

Introduction

Background

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following 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.

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total: 13,790 sq km
country comparison to the world: 163 land:8,870 sq km
water:4,921 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

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

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: 3.69%
permanent crops:5.59%
other:90.72% (2005)

Irrigated land

220 sq km (2008)

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 (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)

Languages

Spanish, English

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Population

3,989,133 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 383,748/female 367,484)
15-64 years:66.1% (male 1,270,557/female 1,366,417)
65 years and over:15.1% (male 258,570/female 342,357) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 37.3 years
male:35.5 years
female:39 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.254% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Birth rate

11.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Death rate

7.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Net migration rate

-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Urbanization

urban population: 99% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.73 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.75 male(s)/female
total population:0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

18 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 129

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 161 male:8.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female:7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.92 years
country comparison to the world: 43 male:75.31 years
female:82.71 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.62 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

7,397 (1997)
country comparison to the world: 110

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:94.1%
male:93.9%
female:94.4% (2002 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 25.5%
country comparison to the world: 26 male:28.6%
female:22% (2009)

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

ratified 3 March 1952

approved by US Congress 3 July 1952

effective 25 July 1952

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

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 Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results:Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% 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 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

House of Representatives – last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%

seats by party – PNP 22, PPD 5

House of Representatives – percent of vote by party – PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%

seats by party – PNP 37, PPD 14
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 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

results – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – PNP 1

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Appellate Court

Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)

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 with commonwealth status)

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. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$64.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84 $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.)
country comparison to the world: 213 -3.7% (2009 est.)
-2.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$16,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69 $17,400 (2009 est.)
$18,100 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 1%
industry:45%
services:54% (2005 est.)

Labor force

1.479 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 132

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 2.1%
industry:19%
services:79% (2005)

Unemployment rate

12% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 127

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

14.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Budget

revenues: $6.7 billion
expenditures:$9.6 billion (FY99/00 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

7.2% of GDP (FY99/00)
country comparison to the world: 208

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (FY99/00)
country comparison to the world: 99

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84 0.3% (2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178 3.25% (31 December 2009 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

NA%

Electricity – production

20.92 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity – consumption

19.46 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

1,075 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Oil – consumption

150,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Oil – exports

19,230 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Oil – imports

164,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Natural gas – consumption

756.7 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas – imports

756.7 million cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Current account balance

$NA (2010)
$978.8 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$68.86 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44 $60.81 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment

Imports

$41.43 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53 $40.65 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products

Debt – external

$56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 $52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Transportation

Airports

29 (2010)
country comparison to the world:115

Airports – with paved runways

total: 17
over 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:7
under 914 m:5 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:10 (2010)

Roadways

total: 26,670 km
country comparison to the world: 102 paved:25,337 km (includes 427 km of expressways)
unpaved:1,333 km (2008)

Merchant marine

total: 3
country comparison to the world: 139 by type:roll on/roll off 3
foreign-owned:3 (US 3)
registered in other countries:1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

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