2014 Edition

Background

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher 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 with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood.

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

220.4 sq km (2005)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

6.76% 4.51% 88.73% (2011)

arable land

6.76%

other

88.73% (2011)

permanent crops

4.51%

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

18.1% (male 335,142/female 319,765) 14.5% (male 267,596/female 256,487) 38.5% (male 665,092/female 727,412) 12% (male 197,256/female 238,139) 16.4% (male 265,674/female 348,334) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

18.1% (male 335,142/female 319,765)

15-24 years

14.5% (male 267,596/female 256,487)

25-54 years

38.5% (male 665,092/female 727,412)

55-64 years

12% (male 197,256/female 238,139)

65 years and over

16.4% (male 265,674/female 348,334) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

10.9 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

84.1% percent of women aged 18-44 (2002)

Death rate

8.51 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

50.1 % 28.8 % 21.3 % 4.7 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

21.3 %

potential support ratio

4.7 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

50.1 %

youth dependency ratio

28.8 %

Drinking water source

urban: 93.6% of population rural: 93.6% of population total: 93.6% of population urban: 6.4% of population rural: 6.4% of population total: 6.4% of population (2001 est.)

rural

6.4% of population

total

6.4% of population (2001 est.)

urban

6.4% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

white 75.8%, black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3% 99% of the population is Latino (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

7.73 deaths/1,000 live births 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births 6.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

6.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

7.73 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish, English

Life expectancy at birth

79.09 years 75.46 years 82.8 years (2014 est.)

female

82.8 years (2014 est.)

total population

79.09 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 90.3% 89.7% 90.9% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

90.9% (2011 est.)

male

89.7%

total population

90.3%

Major urban areas - population

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

38.7 years 36.8 years 40.5 years (2014 est.)

female

40.5 years (2014 est.)

male

36.8 years

total

38.7 years

Nationality

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) Puerto Rican

adjective

Puerto Rican

noun

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-8.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Population

3,620,897 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.65% (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.3% of population rural: 99.3% of population total: 99.3% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 0.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

0.7% of population

total

0.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 14 years 17 years (2011)

female

17 years (2011)

male

14 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.64 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

26.6% 28.9% 23.1% (2012)

female

23.1% (2012)

total

26.6%

Urbanization

98.9% of total population (2011) 0.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.06% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

98.9% of total population (2011)

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

previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952; note - constitutional amendments introduced in 2012 were rejected in a referendum (2013)

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)

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla (since 2 January 2013) 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016) Alejandro GARCIA Padilla elected governor with 48.2% 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

Alejandro GARCIA Padilla elected governor with 48.2% 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)

head of government

Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla (since 2 January 2013)

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 (consists of the chief justice and 6 associate judges) note - the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Judiciary Act of 2003 reformed the judicial system justices appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 75 Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 associate judges)

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts

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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 18, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 28, PNP 23 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 18, PNP 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPD 28, PNP 23

elections

Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)

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) 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

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; note - 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)

expenditures

$9.6 billion (FY99/00)

revenues

$6.7 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (FY99/00)

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, however, growth has been negative for the past four years, and unemployment rose to nearly 16% in 2011. The industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Mainland 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. Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$69.75 billion (2013 est.) $67.3 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

88.2% 14.6% 14% 0.1% 106.9% -123.8% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

106.9%

government consumption

14.6%

household consumption

88.2%

imports of goods and services

-123.8%

investment in fixed capital

14%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.7% 48.8% 50.5% (2013 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

48.8%

services

50.5% (2013 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

$47.32 billion (2013 est.) $49 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Industrial production growth rate

0.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2013 est.) 2.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.286 million (March 2012)

Labor force - by occupation

2.1% 19% 79% (2005)

agriculture

2.1%

industry

19%

services

79% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

96.5% of GDP (2013 est.) 93.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

7.2% of GDP (FY99/00)

Unemployment rate

16% (2011 est.) 12% (2002 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

28.53 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

673.7 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

19.43 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

97.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

2.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5.571 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

20.02 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

770 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

750 million cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

151,600 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

176,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.pr

Internet hosts

469 (2012)

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 (2011)

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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

780,200 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.06 million (2012)

Airports

29 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

7

over 3,047 m

2

total

17

under 914 m

5 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

10 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

12

Ports and terminals

Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan San Juan (1,484,595)

container port(s) (TEUs)

San Juan (1,484,595)

major seaport(s)

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

Roadways

26,862 km (includes 454 km of expressways) (2012)

total

26,862 km (includes 454 km of expressways) (2012)

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