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| Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
PUERTO RICO
Official name:
Digraph: PR/QR
Type:
Commonwealth associated with the US. The island`s inhabitants
possess[1] all the rights and obligations of
United States citizens, except for the right to vote in presidential elections
and the obligation[2] to pay federal taxes.
Interesting Fact:
The term "United States" when used in a geographical sense on official
documents, acts and/or laws; includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.
The U.S. has twelve unincorporated
territories, also known as possessions, and two commonwealths. The major
possessions are American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virigin Islands. All of these
have a non-voting representative in the US Congress. The major commonwealths are
Puerto Rico and the Northern Marianas. Commonwealths have their own
constitutions and greater autonomy than possessions, and Guam is currently in
the process of moving from the status of unincorporated territory to
commonwealth. The residents of all of these places are full U.S. citizens, with
the exception of those on American Samoa who are U.S.nationals, but not
citizens.
Total Area: 3,515 sq mi (9,104 sq km or 100 by 35 miles).
Land
Area: 8,959 sq km
Borders: Puerto Rico is under the U.S. customs
jurisdiction[3]. Borders are open between P.R.
and the U.S., allowing for free movement of people and merchandise.
Capital: San Juan (founded in 1508, by Juan Ponce de León).
Major Cities:
Ponce, Caguas,
Mayagüez,
Bayamón,
Carolina,
Arecibo,
Guaynabo, Cayey,
Aguadilla, and
Fajardo.
Most Popular City Destinations: San Juan, Ponce, Mayagüez,
Bayamón, Fajardo, San Germán Cayey, and Caguas.
Native language: Spanish and English are the official languages.
English is spoken for about 1/4 of the population-with limited
capabilities[4]. English is required in all
federal matters. English is spoken in all major tourist areas (%80 Spanish, %20
other).
Interesting Facts:
Language has been a central issue in Puerto Rican education and culture
since 1898. Until 1930 U.S. authorities
insisted [5] upon making English the language of
instruction in the schools, the intent being to produce English-speaking persons
of American culture in the same way this is done in the United States public
schools. But strong resistance to the policy finally brought a change to the use
of Spanish as the basic school language, English becoming a second language
studied by all. In 1991 the Puerto Rican legislature, following the lead of the
pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party and the governor, Rafael
Hernández Colon, endorsed [6] a bill that
made Spanish the island`s official language, thus reversing a 1902 law that gave
both Spanish and English official recognition [7].
In 1993 the pro-statehood governor, Pedro J. Rossello, signed legislation
restoring [8] equal status to Spanish and
English.
Note:
Puerto Rico is a territory (Commonwealth) of the United States of America and
they have common citizenship, currency and defense. Although Puerto Ricans are
U.S. citizens, residents of Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax (but neither
can they vote in presidential elections). Over 2 million Puerto Ricans live in
the United States, primarily in the northeast.
Interesting Fact:
Puerto Ricans consider themselves American but are
fiercely [9] proud of their island and their
culture.
Flag :
Five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a
blue isosceles triangle based on the
hoist[1]0 side bears a large white
five-pointed star in the center; design based on the Cuban flag.
Population: 3,828,506 (July 1997 est.) Interesting
Fact:
Puerto Rico`s population
density [1]1 of 1,100 people per
square miles is among the world`s highest - only Bangladesh, The Maldives,
Barbados, Taiwan, South Korea and the city-states of Hong Kong and Singapore are
more crowded.
People:
The 3.580 million people that inhabit the island of Puerto Rico make it one
of the most densely [1]2 populated
islands in the world. There are about 1,000 people per square mile, a
ratio [1]3 higher than within any of
the 50 states in the United States. It is
estimated [1]4 that some 2 million
Puerto Ricans have migrated to the United States. Had these people remained in
Puerto Rico, the island would be so densely populated that there would be
virtually [1]5 no room for people to
live. Because of the massive migration to the mainland, more Puerto Ricans are
said to live in New York City than in San Juan. In recent years, many Puerto
Ricans have returned to their island home, in large part because of
inadequate [1]6 economic opportunity
in the United States.
On the island, one-third of the population is concentrated in the San
Juan/Carolina/Bayamón metropolitan area. When the United States
acquired[1]7 the island in 1898,
most Puerto Ricans worked in agriculture, but today, most jobs are industrial
and are situated in the metropolitan areas.
The people of Puerto Rico represent a cultural and racial mix. When the Spanish
forced the Taíno people into slavery, the entire
indigenous[1]8 population was
virtually decimated, except for a few Amerindians who escaped into the
remote[1]9 mountains. Eventually
they inter-married with the poor Spanish farmers and became known as
jíbaros. Because of industrialization and migration to the cities, few
jíbaros remain.
Besides the slaves imported from Africa (Sudan, Kongo, Senegal, Guinea, Sierra
Leona, and the Gold, Ivory, and Grain coasts), other ethnic groups brought to
work on the plantations joined the island`s racial mix. Fleeing Simón
Bolívar`s independence movements in South America, Spanish loyalists fled
to Puerto Rico - a fiercely conservative Spanish colony during the early 1800s.
French families also flocked[2]0
here from both Louisiana and Haiti. As changing governments or violent
revolutions depressed the economies of Scotland and Ireland, many farmers from
those countries also journeyed to Puerto Rico in search of a better life.
During the mid-19th century, labor was needed to build roads.
Initially[2]1, Chinese workers were
imported for this task, followed by workers from such countries as Italy,
France, Germany, and even Lebanon. American
expatriates[2]2 came to the island
after 1898. Long after Spain had lost control of Puerto Rico, Spanish immigrants
continued to arrive on the island. The most significant new immigrant population
arrived in the 1960s, when thousands of Cubans fled from Fidel Castro`s
Communist state. The latest arrivals to Puerto Rico have come from the
economically depressed Dominican Republic.
Education:
Education is a matter of high priority for Puerto Rico, it is evident in the
island`s overall literacy rate of 90 percent and its budget for education,
approximately 40 percent. Education is
obligatory[2]3 between 6 to 17 years
old. Primary school consists of six grades; the secondary levels is divided into
2 cycles of 3 years each.
The school system is administered by the Department of Education and has several
levels of learning. The language used in the schools is Spanish, however,
English is taught from kindergarten to high school as part of the school
curriculum[2]4.
Puerto Rico has more than 50 institutions of higher education. Puerto Rico has
achieved one of the highest college education rates in the world (6th) with 56%
of its college-age students attending institutions of higher learning,
according[2]5 to World Bank data.
Religion: The Constitution guarantees freedom for all
faiths. The major religions are: Catholic (85%), Protestants (8%), non religious
(2.3%), and others (3%). Some islanders ascribe to spiritualism (espiritismo),
and others practice Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean belief system brought to Puerto
Rico from Cuba. There is also a small Jewish community.
History:
|
XV
century
|
Taino Indians who inhabited the territory, called the island Boriken or
Borinquen which means: "the great land of the valiant and noble Lord. Today this
word -used in various modifications- is still popularly used to
designate [2]6 the people and island
of Puerto Rico. The Taino Indians , who came
from South America, inhabited the major portion of the island when the Spaniards
arrived. |
|
1493
|
Christopher Columbus discovered the island in his second voyage to the New
World (Nov. 19). He found the island populated by as many as 60,000 Taino or
Arawak Indians. The Taíno Indians who greeted Columbus made a big mistake
when they showed him gold nuggets in the river and told him to take all he
wanted. Originally the newcomers called the island "San Juan", for St.
John the Baptist and the town Puerto Rico. It was not until later that
the two names were switched. Thanks in part to the enthusiasm of ambitious Juan
Ponce de León, a lieutenant to Columbus, the city of Puerto Rico
("rich port") quickly became Spain`s most important military outpost in
the Caribbean.
|
|
1508
|
Spanish colonization begins.
|
|
1511
|
The Taíno Indians revolt against Spaniards with no success. Ponce de
León orders 6,000 shot; survivors flee to mountains or leave island.
|
|
1512
|
The Burgos Law was issued on Dec 27, by Ferdinand II, the Catholic, of
Aragon, regulated relations between Spaniards and the conquered Indians,
particularly to ensure the spiritual and material welfare of the
latter [2]7, who were often severely
treated. (December 27) |
|
1513
|
African Slaves were introduced into the island. (January 27)
Caribe
Indians attacked San Juan.
|
|
1517
|
King Carlos V authorized the importation of 4,000 slaves to the Caribbean.
|
|
1521
|
Concerned about potential
threats [2]8 from European enemies,
Spain began constructing massive defenses around San Juan. El Morro Castle
featured 18-foot-thick walls; San Cristóbal and San Geronimo Forts also
garrisoned troops. Next the Spaniards constructed a wall, parts of which still
survive, around the entire city. Government Center was moved to the isle of San
Juan. The ever arriving Spaniards settlers, many of them gold-seekers, brought
no women on their ships. To populate the country, the Spaniard took Indian
woman. With the arrival of African slaves, other elements were added. This
historic intermingling has resulted in a
contemporary [2]9 Puerto Rico without
racial problems. |
|
1530
|
Sugar became the most important agricultural product.
|
|
1803
|
In 1803, Denmark abolished the slave trade, and Britain followed in 1807,
France in 1817, Holland in 1818, Spain in 1820, and Sweden in 1824. Slavery
itself was finally abolished in the British colonies in 1833, in the French
colonies in 1848, and in the Dutch colonies in 1863; it was abolished in the
Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico in 1873 and Cuba in 1880.
|
|
1867
|
Puerto Rico reachs a population of 656,328; its population recorded as
346,437 whites and 309,891 "of color" (this category included blacks, mulattos
and mestizos). The majority of Puerto Ricans lived in extreme poverty.
Agriculture, the main source of income, was limited by
lack [3]0 of roads,
rudimentary [3]1 tools and equipment,
and natural disasters, such as hurricanes and periods of
drought [3]2. While
illiteracy [3]3 was 83.7 percent, the
intellectual minority remained [3]4
relatively active within the limitations
imposed [3]5 by local Spanish
authorities. |
|
1868
|
Several hundred women and men revolted against Spain for Puerto Rican
independence, the event took place in Lares and is better known as the Cry of
Lares ("Grito de Lares"). The most important figures in the uprising were Manuel
Rojas, Mathias Bruckman, Joaquín Parilla, and Francisco Ramírez.
The main leader was Ramón Betances but he was not given permission to
enter the island. Manuel Rojas plantation in the town of Lares became the
headquarters for like-minded revolutionaries who would push for a split from
Spain. (September 23) The rebellion was planned by a group, led by Dr.
Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who in January 6, 1868
founded the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary
Committee of Puerto Rico) from their exile in the Dominican Republic.
|
|
1897
|
The "Carta Autonómica" was approved in which Spain
concedes [3]6 political and
administrative autonomy to the island. It allowed the island to
retain [3]7 its representation in the
Spanish Cortes, and provided for a bicameral legislature. This legislature
consisted of a Council of Administration with eight elected and seven
appointed [3]8 members, and a Chamber
of Representatives with one member for every 25,000 inhabitants. (November)
|
|
1898
|
On July 18, General Nelson A. Miles, commander of the invading forces,
received orders to sail for Puerto Rico. On July, 25 General Nelson Miles
came ashore [3]9 with the first
contingent of 16,000 American troops, landed
unopposed [4]0 at the town of
Guánica in the South of Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, the ship met with
Spanish resistance the morning of August 26. By August, the whole island was
practically invaded. Spanish-American War, conflict between the United
States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted
in U.S. acquisition [4]1 of
territories in the western Pacific and Latin American. (August 8) Peace
protocols were signed in Washington, D.C. on August 12, 1898. The island was
turned over to the U.S forces, and General John R. Brooke became military
governor. (October 18) On December 10, Treary of Paris was signed (ratified
by the U.S. Senate Feb. 6, 1899),
treaty [4]2 concluding the
Spanish-American War. The American peace commission consisted of William R. Day,
Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and the Honorable
Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission was headed by Don Eugenio Montero Rios,
the President of the Senate. Jules Cambon, a French diplomat, also
negotiated [4]3 on Spain`s
behalf [4]4. Spain
renounced [4]5 all
claim [4]6 to Cuba,
ceded [4]7 Guam and Puerto Rico to
United States, and transferred
sovereignty [4]8 over the Phillipines
to the United States for $20,000,000 |
|
1906
|
President Theodore Roosevelt leaves Washington D.C. for a 17 day trip to
Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official visit
outside of the U.S. (Nov. 6)
During a visit to Puerto Rico, U.S. President
Theodore Roosevelt addressed the Puerto Rican Congress and recommended that
Puerto Ricans become United States citizens.
|
|
1915
|
A delegation from Puerto Rico, accompanied by the Gov. Arthur Yager,
traveled to Washington in order to ask Congress to
grant [4]9 the island more autonomy.
|
|
1916
|
The Jones Act was approved [5]0,
with this law: (Dec. 5)
- Puerto Rico becomes U.S. territory.
- U.S. nationalizes all Puerto Ricans as a citizens and allows Puerto Ricans
to elect their legislature. (300 rejected the citizenship and many others
refused to join the army.) Amended in 1921, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1935, 1938, 1940,
1947.
|
|
1917
|
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones Act. Puerto Rico became a
territory of the United States "organized but unincorporated," and it gave
Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship and a bill of rights and also
established [5]1 a locally elected
Senate and House of Representatives. However, the Foraker Act still
determined [5]2 economic and
fiscal [5]3 aspects of government.
(March 2) The first elections under Jones Act were celebrated. (July 6)
20,000 islanders are drafted into World War I. The Organic Act was
approved. This gave the island a legislature (19 senators, 39 representatives)
elected freely by the Puerto Rican people. |
|
1932
|
The Congress of United States approved a law to change back the name of the
island Porto Rico, to its original name, Puerto Rico. (May 17)
|
|
1935
|
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
launched [5]4 the Puerto Rican
Reconstruction Administration, which provided for agricultural development,
public works, and electrification of the island. |
|
1940
|
The United States Congress grants U.S. Citizenship to Puerto Rican Natives.
|
|
1941
|
United States began to establishes military bases in the islands of Culebra
and Vieques.
|
|
1945
|
Puerto Ricans began to emigrate to United States. Looking for job and
better economic situation.
|
|
1948
|
The first governor is elected by the Puerto Ricans. Luis Muñoz Marin
is elected.
|
|
1952
|
The New Constitution is approved by voters, and Puerto Rico is
proclaimed [5]5 as Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico. (July 25) |
|
1993
|
Law Number 1 of 1993 declares English and Spanish as the official languages
of Puerto Rico. In the Referendum, Commonwealth status was
reaffirmed [5]6 by voters.
- Statehood.......... 788,296 (46.3%)
- Commonwealth.......826,326 (48.6%)
- Independence..........75,620 (04.4%)
- Nulls............... 10,748 (00.7%)
|
Culture:
Puerto Rican culture is somewhat complex, colorful. Culture is a series of
visual manifestations and interactions with the
environment[5]7 that make a region
and/or a group of people different from the rest of the world. Puerto Rico,
without a doubt has several unique characteristics that
distinguish[5]8 their culture from
any other. Lets consider that the people of Puerto Rico
represent a cultural and racial mix. During the early 18-century, the Spaniard
in order to populate the country took Taino Indian woman as
brides [5]9. Later on as labor was
needed to maintain [6]0 crops, and
build roads. African slaves were initially imported, shortly followed by the
importation of Chinese immigrants, then continued with the arrival of Italians,
French, German, and even Lebanonize people. American expatriates came to the
island after 1898. Long after Spain had lost control of Puerto Rico, Spanish
immigrants continued to arrive on the island. The most significant new immigrant
population arrived in the 1960s, when thousands of Cubans fled from Fidel
Castro`s Communist state. The latest arrivals to Puerto Rico have come from the
economically depressed Dominican Republic. This historic intermingling has
resulted in a contemporary Puerto Rico without racial problems.
Economy:
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region.
Industry has surpassed[6]1
agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income. Encouraged by
duty free access to the U.S. and by tax
incentives[6]2, U.S. firms have
invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s (U.S. minimum wage laws apply).
Recently the economy has suffered budget cuts from U.S.
The economy depends heavily on the tax incentives (known as Section 936) given
to US mainland companies and on federal transfers. In 1993, President Clinton
aimed to cut the Section 936 tax exemption for U.S. companies and introduced
legislation to Congress to replace it with a more
modest[6]3 tax credit linked to
wages paid by those companies in Puerto Rico rather than to profits. It is
estimated that 100,000 Puerto Ricans are employed by companies operating under
Section 936 (of which 23,000 are in pharmaceuticals) and another 200,000 are
indirectly employed. On the other hand, the agreement between the USA, Canada
and Mexico for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) also has
implications[6]4 for Puerto Rico
because of competition for jobs and investment. Although wage levels are lower
in Mexico, Section 936 gives companies in Puerto Rico an advantage in
pharmaceuticals and hi-tec industries. In low-skill labour-intensive
manufacturing, such as clothing and footwear, Mexico has the advantage. Puerto
Rico currently employs 30,000 in the clothing industry.
Important industries include pharmaceuticals, electronics,
textiles, petrochemical, and processed foods. Sugar production has lost out to
dairy production and other
livestock [6]5 products as the main
source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an
important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9
million tourists in 1993. The main government
expenditures [6]6 are on health,
education, and welfare.
Industries: Manufacturing accounts for 55.5% of GDP:
manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, electronics,
apparel [6]7, food products,
instrument, textiles, clothing, and tourism.
Tourism: Receipts from visitors: U.S.$1,826,100,000
(1995)
Expenditures by national abroad: U.S.$833,000,000 (1995)
Agriculture:
Accounts for only 3% of labor force and less than 1% of GDP - crops - sugar
cane [6]8, coffee, milk, eggs, fruits
(pineapples, plantains, bananas), vegetables; livestock - cattle, chickens,
pork; imports a large share of food needs (1993).
Interesting Facts:
Migration has played a large role in social and economic changes since the
1950s. In the 1950s and 1960s, the government encouraged a massive migration of
poor agricultural workers to the east coast of the US to help create a
predominantly[6]9 industrial
economy. The number of Puerto Ricans is now about equal to the island`s
population.
Puerto Ricans are another immigrant group that has had a significant
impact[7]0 on the economy and
culture of New York since World War II. Several hundred thousand
reside[7]1 in the state, mostly in
New York City. After a heavy immigration of Puerto Ricans during the 1950s and
early 60`s, the growing economic strength of Puerto Rico led to a considerable
reduction[7]2, with those entering
the state being largely offset by those returning to Puerto Rico.
Some of the best-educated young people leave because of better opportunities and
labor conditions on the mainland. Statistics show that it has
some of the most favorable economic conditions in the Caribbean and Latin
American, but in comparison with the United States, Puerto Rico is still below
that of the poorest state in the mainland, Mississippi.
Government:
Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United
States. Puerto Rico has authority over its internal affairs. United States
controls: interstate trade, foreign relations and commerce, customs
administration, control of air, land and sea, immigration and emigration,
nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service, military
bases, army navy and air force, declaration of war, constitutionality of laws,
jurisdictions and legal procedures, treaties, radio and
television--communications, agriculture, mining and minerals, highways, postal
system; social security, and other areas generally controlled by the federal
government in the United States. Puerto Rican institutions control internal
affairs unless U.S. law is involved, as in matters of public health and
pollution. The major differences between Puerto Rico and the 50 states are its
local taxation system and
exemption[7]3 from Internal Revenue
Code, its lack of voting representation in either house of the U.S. Congress,
the ineligibility of Puerto Ricans to vote in presidential elections, and its
lack of assignation of some revenues reserved for the states.
The Executive Power is exercised by the Governor, who leads a cabinet conformed
by 15 ministers. The Governor is elected by statewide elections every four
years. The secretary of state succeeds the governor should the latter resign,
die, or be removed from office. The governor, with the consent of the
legislature, appoints the heads of the commonwealth`s executive departments. The
Legislative Power resides in the Senate and in the Chamber of Representatives.
The Senate consists of 27 members, 2 per electoral district, and 11 elected
according to the different districts proportion of population. The Chamber of
Representatives consists of 53 members, one per electoral district and 11
elected proportionally. Legislators are popularly elected to four-year terms.
The bicameral legislature determines how to
spends the island`s tax revenue. Unless specifically stated, Puerto Rico is also
subject to all laws and most regulations of the U.S. government, which sometimes
cause jurisdictional problems. Most U.S. agencies are represented on the island.
The Judicial System is directed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is
formed by 7 judges (a chief justice and six associate justices) named by the
Governor. The structure of the Judicial System includes a Court of Appeals,
Superior Court, a District Court(civil & criminal), and Municipal Court.
There are 12 judicial districts
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico also has a district court comparable to
those of the states of US. Each district court has at least one district judge
and can have more than a score of district judges, as well as a clerk, a United
States Attorney, a United States Marshall, one or more United States
Magistrates, bankruptcy judges, probation officers, court reporters, and their
staffs [7]4.
President: Bill Clinton
Vice President: Al Gore
Governor: Pedro Rosello
Government Form: Republican; executive, legislative, and judicial
branches.
Ruling Party: New Progressive Party (NPP).
Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by U.S. Congress 3 July
1952; effective 25 July 1952.
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal.
Voter Participation: over 80% (1996 general elections)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June.
Legal system: Puerto Rican civil and commercial codes are fashioned after
Spanish models; penal[7]5,
procedural[7]6, and public
(including constitutional) law are fashioned after U.S. models.
[3] Zuständigkeitsbereich
[9] Steigerung: besonders...
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