Puerto Rican Tourism

Puerto Rican history

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. Inh 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 govermors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self gonernment. In plebiscited held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.

Puerto Rican Facts

Puerto Rico has many natural resources such as copper, nickel, and has a potential for onshore and offshore oil. Some of our exports that will be offered to other countries are chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, and medical equipment. Our Puerto Rican industries are pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, and tourism. In Puerto Rico, 85% of the citizens are Roman Catholic and 15% are either Protestant or other. We celebrate the US Independence Day and the Puerto Rican Constitution Day which is July 25, 1952.