Background: Discovered by Columbus in 1493 the island was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held in 1967 and 1993 voters chose to retain commonwealth status.

Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N 66 30 W

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 501 km

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

Natural resources: some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Irrigated land: 390 km² (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes

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

Population: 3,915,798 (July 2000 est.)
Growth rate: 0.56% (2000 est.)
Below poverty line: NA%

Ethnic groups: NA

Languages: Spanish English

Religions: Roman Catholic 85% Protestant and other 15%

Population growth rate: 0.56% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 15.47 births/1000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 7.74 deaths/1000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.14 migrant(s)/1000 population (2000 est.)

Environment
Current issues: erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Infant mortality rate: 9.71 deaths/1000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Government type: commonwealth

Capital: San Juan

Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the US); 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 (commonwealth associated with the US)

National holiday: US Independence Day 4 July (1776)

Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952

Legal system: based on Spanish civil code

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Superior Courts justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Municipal Courts justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate

Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party [William MIRANDA]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVIDA Vila]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]

International organization participation: Caricom (observer) ECLAC (associate) FAO (associate) ICFTU Interpol (subbureau) IOC WCL WFTU WHO (associate)

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (commonwealth associated with the US)
From the us: none (commonwealth associated with the US)

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; design based on the US flag

Economy overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has 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 for the island with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Prospects for 2000 are good assuming continued strength in the tourism and construction sectors and continuation of the US boom.

Real gdp growth rate: 4.2% (1999 est.)

Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,800 (1999 est.)

Agriculture products: sugarcane coffee pineapples plantains bananas; livestock products chickens

Industries: pharmaceuticals electronics apparel food products; tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 1.3 million (1996)
By occupation agriculture: 3%
By occupation industry: 20%
By occupation services: 77% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate: 13% (FY97/98 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Inflation rate consumer prices: 5.2% (1999 est.)

Exports: $34.9 billion (f.o.b. 1999)
Commodities: pharmaceuticals electronics apparel canned tuna rum beverage concentrates medical equipment
Partners: US 88% (1999)

Imports: $25.3 billion (c.i.f. 1999)
Commodities: chemicals machinery and equipment clothing food fish petroleum products
Partners: US 60% (1999)

Debt external: $N/A

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Electricity
Production: 17.765 billion kWh (1998)
Consumption: 16.521 billion kWh (1998)
Exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Imports: 0 kWh (1998)

Telephones
Main lines in use: 1.196 million (1995)
Mobile cellular: 171,000 (1995)

Telephone system: modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability

Internet
Service providers isps: 18 (1999)

Airports: 30 (1999 est.)

Disputes international: none