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| Overview | People | Geography | Economy | Government | Communications | Transport | Military | Map |
| Country | Puerto Rico |
| Flag |  |
| 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) |
| Population | 3,971,020 (July 2009 est.) |
| GMT | -4 |
| Location | Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic see map |
| Area | total: 13,790 sq km land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km |
| Ethnic groups | white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed 4.2%, other 6.7% (2000 census) |
| Religions | Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% |
| Languages | Spanish, English |
| Government type | commonwealth |
| 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 | based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice |
| 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. |
| Internet country code | .pr |
