Puerto Rico. CultureGrams. Commonwealth of. Flag. National Image. Land and Climate. Kids Edition

TM CultureGrams Kids Edition Commonwealth of 2014 Puerto Rico The closest Columbus ever came to standing on U.S. soil was when he landed on Puer...
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Commonwealth of

2014

Puerto Rico

The closest Columbus ever came to standing on U.S. soil was when he landed on Puerto Rico in 1493. The island has many unique animals such as the coquí (a tiny frog) and the Puerto Rican parrot. The coquí grows no longer than an inch and a half and has nearly translucent (see through) skin, so it blends in well with its surroundings. Its high-pitched voice can be heard for miles. But one type of animal Puerto Rico doesn’t have is any kind of poisonous snake! Each year, more than one hundred billion gallons of rain fall on Puerto Rico’s El Yunque rain forest! When Puerto Ricans are born, they get both their father’s and their mother’s last names. A Puerto Rican woman doesn’t change her last name when she gets married. The majority of the rum sold in the United States comes from Puerto Rico. The capital city of San Juan is one of the largest and best natural harbors in the Western Hemisphere. Isla Mona is home to a colony of iguanas. These Mona iguanas are found nowhere else on the planet. The Arecibo Observatory houses one of the largest radio telescopes in the world. Scientists from across the globe use it to gather and study data on the atmosphere and solar system. Even though it is a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico sends its own teams to the Olympics and other international competitions.

Flag The flag of Puerto Rico was influenced by the flag of the United States but is also similar to the Cuban flag. The red and white stripes stand for the blood and victory of those who fought for the country. The star and triangle represent Puerto Rico surrounded by water. The three sides of the triangle symbolize the three branches of government.

National Image Puerto Rico’s coat of arms dates back all the way to the 1500s! The Latin phrase on it means “John is its name,” since the island used to be called San Juan (meaning “St. John”), after John the Baptist.

Land and Climate Area (sq. mi.): 5,324 Area (sq. km.): 13,790

Puerto Rico is part of a chain of islands called the Greater Antilles, which were formed long ago by volcanoes. Puerto Rico is the smallest island in the Greater Antilles, which also includes Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. Being an island, it is surrounded by beautiful beaches. But the island is made up of much more than just sand. A large mountain range called the Cordillera Central is the backbone of the island. El Yunque rain forest provides a home to tropical animals like the coquí, a tiny tree frog often no bigger than 1 inch (2.5 cm). There are also deserts, canyons, and caves. The northern 1

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plain is a strip of land 5 miles (8 km) wide and 100 miles (161 km) long. This is where most of the population lives. Puerto Rico’s territory includes smaller islands as well, such as Culebra, Vieques, and Mona. Puerto Rico is just smaller than the Bahamas, or three times the size of the state of Rhode Island. Puerto Rico’s climate is mild and tropical. It is usually warm and sunny. The south tends to be a few degrees warmer than the north. Although it never snows in Puerto Rico, it often rains between the months of June and November. Sometimes, hurricanes come along with the rains. The temperature usually stays between 70 and 80°F (21–27°C) year-round, even in January.

Population Population: 3,674,209

About 80 percent of the population is of Hispanic origin, and another 8 percent is black. Others have a mixed Spanish, African, and Taíno (the native population) heritage. Around one-third of the population lives in or near the capital, San Juan. Many Puerto Ricans have moved to the United States, often in the hope of finding better jobs. So more than one million Puerto Ricans live in New York City, and another one million live in other parts of the United States.

Language Both Spanish and English are official languages. Most Puerto Ricans speak Spanish at home, but kids are taught English as a second language in school, and it is sometimes used in business, too. So many Puerto Ricans speak some English. Sometimes people use both languages in the same sentence! This unique combination of mixing English words with Spanish is called Spanglish.

Can You Say It in Spanish? Hello

Hola

(OH-la)

Good-bye

Adiós

(ah-dee-OHS)

Please

Por favor

(POHR fa-VOHR)

Thank you

Gracias

(GRAH-see-ahs)

Yes



(see)

No

No

(noh)

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Religion

Roman Catholicism is the major religion in Puerto Rico. About 85 percent of Puerto Ricans are Catholics. The rest of the population belongs to various other Christian churches. Puerto Ricans consider themselves religious and often believe God is the reason they have good fortune.

Time Line 2000 BC 2000 BC

The first inhabitants of what is now Puerto Rico settle the island

AD 200 AD 200

Arawak Indians from South America, called Taíno, arrive

1400

Warlike Caribs invade Puerto Rico and clash with the Taíno

1493

Christopher Columbus lands on Puerto Rico, names the island San Juan Bautista, and claims the island for Spain

1508

The Spanish begin building settlements; explorer Ponce de Léon arrives and founds Caparra

1519

The center of government moves to San Juan

1539

Construction begins on San Felipe de Morro castle to defend the island against invaders

1595

British forces under the command of Sir Francis Drake attack the island but are fought off by the Spanish

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The Dutch burn San Juan to the ground and unsuccessfully try to gain control of the island

1700 1760

The city of Mayagüez is founded

1765

Puerto Rico’s population reaches almost 50,000

1797

British forces invade again and are fought off once more

1800 1868

The Lares Uprising marks the first major revolt against Spanish rule

1873

Slavery is abolished (outlawed)

1895

The Puerto Rican flag flies over the island for the first time

1898

As part of the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico is given to the United States at the end of the Spanish-American War

1899

Hurricane San Ciriaco hits the island, killing more than three thousand people and destroying plantations

1900 1917

Puerto Rico becomes a U.S. territory, and the people are made U.S. citizens through the Jones Act

1941

The U.S. navy sets up military bases on the islands of Vieques and Culebra

1946

President Truman appoints Jesús Piñero as the first native Puerto Rican governor

1948

Puerto Rico is allowed to elect its own governor for the first time; the people choose Luis Muñoz Marín to represent them

1950

U.S. Congress passes a new law called the Constitution Act; this makes it possible for Puerto Rico to become a commonwealth (part of the United States but with the power to govern itself)

1952

Puerto Rico becomes a commonwealth and writes its own constitution

1967

In the first vote of its kind, Puerto Rico votes to remain a commonwealth rather than become a U.S. state

1973

Roberto Clemente is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

1993

Puerto Rico again votes to remain a commonwealth; Spanish and English are both declared official languages

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1998

Puerto Rican voters reject U.S. statehood once again

1999

An accident on the island of Vieques kills a civilian (non-soldier) during the U.S. navy’s training

2000 2000

Sila Calderón is elected the first female governor of Puerto Rico; more than 100,000 protestors call for an end to U.S. military exercises on the island of Vieques

2003

The U.S. navy withdraws from Vieques and closes its last remaining military base in Puerto Rico

2006

The U.S. Supreme Court turns down an appeal asking that Puerto Ricans be allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections; schools and government agencies are temporarily closed because of a budget shortage; thousands of Puerto Ricans protest

2011

Barack Obama is the first president since John F. Kennedy to make an official visit to Puerto Rico

2012

Puerto Ricans vote in favor of statehood; the results are questioned by some

PRESENT

The Taíno Some of Puerto Rico’s earliest settlers were an Arawak people. They called themselves Taíno. These friendly people fished, traded with other islanders, and hunted. The Taíno also farmed, made red-and-white pottery and jewelry, and built houses out of wood. They grew cotton, corn, tobacco, and sweet potatoes. They lived in villages led by chieftains known as caciques. The rest of the villagers were divided into different social classes, including medicine men, nobles, and workers. They called their island Boriquen, which means “land of the brave lord.” Eventually, all Puerto Ricans became known as boricua. When Europeans finally came to the island, there were around 30,000 Taíno living there.

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Spanish Rule When Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493, the Taíno welcomed him. However, the Spanish explorers took advantage of the Taíno and eventually enslaved them. In 1508, Juan Ponce de León led a group of conquistadors (conquerors) to the island in search of gold. They made the Taíno work in gold mines, and many died from this work and from the diseases the Europeans brought with them. Ponce de León became governor of the island, which he renamed Puerto Rico. The first Spanish settlement was named San Juan, and many ships traveling between Spain and its colonies stopped there. When most of the Taíno had died or run away, the Spanish brought Africans to work as slaves for them. The Spanish also built forts on the island so Puerto Rico could protect the rest of Spain’s territories. The largest and most famous fort was El Morro, located on a cliff high above San Juan Bay. El Morro was the site of many fierce battles between Spanish forces and their rival colonial powers. Spain would go on to rule Puerto Rico for close to four hundred years.

U.S. Rule After a violent uprising by Puerto Ricans who longed for independence, Spain granted Puerto Rico a few rights, such as the right to elect its own government and send representatives to Spain. At the same time, however, Spain fought and lost a war with the United States. Because of this, Spain gave Puerto Rico to the United States in 1898. Over time, the United States gave the island more freedom, like the right to elect its own governor. Luis Muñoz Marín became the island’s first directly elected governor in 1948. In 1917, Puerto Ricans were made U.S. citizens, and later the island became a commonwealth (part of the United States but with the power to govern itself).

The Question of Statehood Some Puerto Ricans were happy about the changes. Others wanted the island to be independent. Independence movements, some of them violent, have continued throughout Puerto Rico’s time as a U.S. territory. Pro-independence protesters have clashed with police, and bombs exploded in the 1920s. In 1954, Puerto Rican militants shot several congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., during a session of the House of Representatives. Most Puerto Ricans, however, want to remain a part of the United States. The people voted in 1967 to stay a commonwealth, but they have continued to debate the issue. Many even want Puerto Rico to become the 51st state. In 1993, and again in 1998, Puerto Ricans once more voted to remain a commonwealth, but it was a very close vote each time. In 2012, for the first time in the island's history, a majority of voters supported the idea of statehood. However, the U.S. Congress would have to approve Puerto Rican statehood for it to become a reality.

Vieques Island For about 60 years, the U.S. navy used the island of Vieques for military training, including aerial bombing exercises. Vieques is located east of the main island. Some Puerto Ricans felt that the navy’s bombing exercises hurt the environment and the people’s health. They wanted the navy to stop its training. Others wanted the navy to stay, because it helped Puerto Rico's economy. In 2000, more than 100,000 protesters gathered to demonstrate against the navy’s presence. The navy finally stopped its bombing exercises on Vieques in 2003. The land was later set aside for a wildlife refuge, as the island’s forests, coral reefs, and beaches are home to many endangered plants and animals, including sea turtles.

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Games and Sports Puerto Ricans have been playing baseball for almost as long as Americans have. The island has many different teams and competes in the Caribbean League. Everyone watches their favorite Caribbean and American teams on television. Some great Puerto Rican players, like Hall of Fame player Roberto Clemente, have played for U.S. teams. Others include Roberto Alomar, Sandy Alomar Jr., Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez, and Carlos Delgado. Puerto Ricans also like basketball, volleyball, boxing, surfing, and kayaking. Cockfighting is popular. Cockfighting is when two roosters fight each other, usually to the death. Those watching bet on which rooster will win.

Holidays Puerto Ricans celebrate many of the same holidays that Americans do. One of their favorite holiday seasons is Christmas. During this time, groups of people go singing door-to-door. Those who answer the door are supposed to give the carolers food and drinks. They call this tradition Parrandas. Puerto Ricans’ Christmas season doesn’t end with Christmas Day; they celebrate into January! On 6 January, or Day of the Three Kings, Puerto Ricans celebrate the day that the Wise Men gave gifts to the Christ child. On the eve of this holiday, children put some grass or hay in a shoebox, which they then place under their bed. This grass or hay is to feed the kings' camels. When the children wake up in the morning, the grass is gone and a present is in its place. Another favorite holiday season is Carnaval, which is usually during February or March. Some individuals dress up as “monsters,” called vejigantes, in papier-mâché masks with horns. Their costumes also have bells on them. These monsters roam the streets and try to hit people on the head with a dried pig’s bladder! Kids run around and try to steal the monsters’ bells.

Food Like many people in Latin America, Puerto Ricans eat a lot of beans and rice. However, unlike their neighbors, their food is not very spicy. Dishes with plantains are popular. Plantains are like bananas, except they have to be cooked to be eaten. Also, since Puerto Rico is surrounded by water, Puerto Ricans often eat seafood such as fish, shrimp, clams, and even octopus. A favorite seafood dish is bacalao con viandas, which is boiled cod with cassava and potatoes. Pasta and fast food are increasingly popular, especially with younger Puerto Ricans.

Schools Adult Literacy: 94.1%

Puerto Rican kids start school at age five or six. Besides public schools, there are many private schools—some of them are Catholic schools taught by priests and nuns. After primary (elementary) school, kids go to a middle school and high school. Getting a good education is important to people in Puerto Rico, so many also go on to college.

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Life as a Kid When kids in Puerto Rico aren’t in school, they might be playing baseball or spending time with their friends or family. They also like to watch television, play video games, or surf the internet. During summer vacation, kids like to go with their family or friends to the beach. And there are a lot of great beaches to be found, because Puerto Rico is an island. At the beach, kids can swim, have water fights, and just hang out with their friends. If their extended families (like aunts, uncles, and grandparents) don’t live near them, Puerto Ricans might take vacations to visit them. Puerto Ricans love to go visiting.

Government Capital: San Juan Head of State: Pres. Barack Obama (U.S.) Head of Government: Gov. García Padilla

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth. That means it is part of the United States, although it has power to govern itself. The island is run similarly to a state, with a governor and a legislature (lawmaking body). The Legislative Assembly, which has a 27-member Senate and a 51-member House of Representatives, makes Puerto Rico’s laws. The people living in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, but they don’t have to pay federal income tax. However, they also don’t get to vote for the president. They send a high commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives. He or she can talk with the other representatives but can’t vote on laws. The voting age is 18, and Puerto Rico usually has a very high rate of voter turnout. Elections are held on the same schedule as in the United States.

Money and Economy Currency: U.S. dollar If you were to buy a candy bar in Puerto Rico, you could use the same money you do in the States. Puerto Ricans use the U.S. dollar as their currency. The country’s economy used to depend a lot on agriculture, but industry is now much more important. Puerto Ricans make medications, electronics, clothing, and food. Tourism also provides money and jobs. The people have access to better education and jobs than most others who live in the Caribbean. Being part of the United States has helped the economy. However, some Puerto Ricans still struggle to make ends meet.

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Getting Around Most families own at least one car, but with so many cars on the island, traffic can be bad, especially in larger cities. So people tend to drive their cars only when needed. They carpool whenever they can. People also use public transportation to get around. They take buses or, in the capital city of San Juan, the tren urbano (urban train). People also can take a público, which is bigger than a taxi and smaller than a bus. A público takes its riders from one station to another, with no stops in between.

Music and Dance Puerto Ricans love to dance and listen to music. One of their favorite kinds of music and dance is called salsa. This has a strong, fast beat. Meringue is also popular. Music is encouraged in the home, so most Puerto Ricans learn to play a musical instrument. They use many different kinds of instruments to make music, including drums and rattles made from gourds. Parties often have some kind of music playing, along with dancing. Many popular singers you might know are Puerto Rican, like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez.

Learn More Contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, 666 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10103; phone (800) 866-7827; web site www.seepuertorico.com.

© 2014 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. It is against the law to copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by any means without strict written permission from ProQuest.

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