2011 Edition

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.

Area

13,790 sq km 8,870 sq km 4,921 sq km

total

13,790 sq km

water

4,921 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Climate

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

501 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

highest point

Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 66 30 W

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

Irrigated land

220 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

3.69% 5.59% 90.72% (2005)

arable land

3.69%

other

90.72% (2005)

permanent crops

5.59%

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Natural resources

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Terrain

mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Age structure

18.8% (male 383,748/female 367,484) 66.1% (male 1,270,557/female 1,366,417) 15.1% (male 258,570/female 342,357) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

18.8% (male 383,748/female 367,484)

15-64 years

66.1% (male 1,270,557/female 1,366,417)

65 years and over

15.1% (male 258,570/female 342,357) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

11.35 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

7.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,397 (1997)

Infant mortality rate

8.07 deaths/1,000 live births 8.83 deaths/1,000 live births 7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

7.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

8.07 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish, English

Life expectancy at birth

78.92 years 75.31 years 82.71 years (2011 est.)

female

82.71 years (2011 est.)

total population

78.92 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.1% 93.9% 94.4% (2002 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.4% (2002 est.)

male

93.9%

total population

94.1%

Major cities - population

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.73 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

18 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

37.3 years 35.5 years 39 years (2011 est.)

female

39 years (2011 est.)

male

35.5 years

total

37.3 years

Nationality

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) Puerto Rican

adjective

Puerto Rican

noun

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Population

3,989,133 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.254% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.62 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

25.5% 28.6% 22% (2009)

female

22% (2009)

total

25.5%

Urbanization

99% of total population (2010) 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

99% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); 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

Capital

San Juan 18 28 N, 66 07 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 28 N, 66 07 W

name

San Juan

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

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

Country name

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

conventional long form

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form

Puerto Rico

Dependency status

unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009) Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature

chief of state

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

election results

Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote

elections

under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

head of government

Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)

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; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace design initially influenced by the US flag, but similar to the Cuban flag, with the colors of the bands and triangle reversed

Government type

commonwealth

Independence

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections: a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)

Supreme Court; Appellate Court; Court of First Instance composed of two sections

a Superior Court and a Municipal Court (justices for all these courts appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code and within the framework of the US federal system

Legislative branch

bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14 Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14

elections

Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

National anthem

"La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican) Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

lyrics/music

Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES

name

"La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)

National holiday

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

National symbol(s)

Puerto Rican spindalis (bird); coqui (frog)

Political parties and leaders

National Democratic Party [Roberto PRATS]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Dr. Tiody FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood); Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA] (pro-commonwealth); Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement: Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

Boricua Popular Army or EPB (a revolutionary group also known as Los Macheteros); note - the following radical groups are considered dormant by Federal law enforcement

Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN, Armed Forces of Popular Resistance, Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens

Budget

$6.7 billion $9.6 billion (FY99/00 est.)

expenditures

$9.6 billion (FY99/00 est.)

revenues

$6.7 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (FY99/00)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 3.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

$NA (2010) $978.8 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$56.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $52.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far 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 with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008.

Electricity - consumption

19.46 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

20.92 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$68.86 billion (2010 est.) $60.81 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment

GDP - composition by sector

1% 45% 54% (2005 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

45%

services

54% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,300 (2010 est.) $17,400 (2009 est.) $18,100 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-5.8% (2010 est.) -3.7% (2009 est.) -2.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$93.52 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$64.84 billion (2010 est.) $68.84 billion (2009 est.) $71.51 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$41.43 billion (2010 est.) $40.65 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2010 est.) 0.3% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

14.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.479 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

2.1% 19% 79% (2005)

agriculture

2.1%

industry

19%

services

79% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

756.7 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

756.7 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

150,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

19,230 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

164,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

1,075 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

7.2% of GDP (FY99/00)

Unemployment rate

12% (2002)

Broadcast media

more than 30 television stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations operating (2007)

Internet country code

.pr

Internet hosts

482 (2010)

Internet users

1 million (2009)

Telephone system

modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

domestic

digital telephone system; mobile-cellular services

general assessment

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

international

country code - 1-787, 939; submarine cables provide connectivity to the US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

Telephones - main lines in use

891,900 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.934 million (2010)

Airports

29 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

7

over 3,047 m

3

total

17

under 914 m

5 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

10 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

12

under 914 m

10 (2010)

Merchant marine

roll on/roll off 3 3 (US 3) 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)

foreign-owned

3 (US 3)

registered in other countries

1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008)

total

3

Ports and terminals

Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

Roadways

26,670 km 25,337 km (includes 427 km of expressways) 1,333 km (2008)

total

26,670 km

unpaved

1,333 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

700,443 786,035 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

786,035 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

700,443

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

30,517 29,010 (2010 est.)

female

29,010 (2010 est.)

male

30,517

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military branches

no regular indigenous military forces; paramilitary National Guard, Police Force

Disputes - international

increasing numbers of illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico each year looking for work