NationMaster - Statistics on Puerto Rico. facts and figures, stats and information on Puerto Rican economy, crime, people, government, health and education. 7 maps and 265 flags

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.

Population:

3,958,128

GDP per capita:

$16,815.88 per capita

Alternative names:

Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Top Rankings

Bottom Rankings

More Top Rankings »

More Bottom Rankings »

Maps of Puerto Rico

United States [lower 48 states with Hawaii and Puerto Rico insets]	Porto Rico [Puerto Rico], 1920	Puerto Rico (Political) U.S. Central Intelligence Agency 1976	Land Use: U.S. Naval Installations Vieques Island, Puerto Rico
(View 3 more maps)

Lists and articles

COMMENTARY

Suchita Vemuri
Staff Editor
25th March 2005

Hi May, though Tony Colon ran for the Puerto Rican Olympic team in 1972 and 1976, he was a citizen of the USA and is better known as an All-American miler in 1973 and 1974. He also won the IC4A mile championship in 1975.

There are 14 more (non-authoritative) comments on this page

Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

Central America and the Caribbean > Puerto Rico

Facts and figures

Background: