Puerto Rico is a beautiful archipelago nation in the north eastern region of the Caribbean, approximately 1,280 kilometers off the coast of Florida, USA. The main island of Puerto Rico is surrounded by a multitude of islands and keys that make up the smallest country, by land area, in the Greater Antilles. The northern and southern most regions of Puerto Rico present a splendid coastline, while the interior of the country consists mainly of mountainous terrain and rainforests.

Being an island nation, Puerto Rico of course has no territorial borders. The closest neighboring countries are the Dominican Republic and Haiti to the west, Virgin Islands to the east. Among the islands of the Greater Antilles, which consists also of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Cuba and Jamaica, Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area but ranks third in population.

Puerto Rico got it's name from the Spanish, meaning "Rich Port". The archipelago was originally named "Borikén", or "Borinquen", by the Taino natives who inhabited the island before Christopher Columbus arrived on his second voyage in 1943. At this time, Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista, honoring Saint John the Baptist. A few years later, the name Puerto Rico was established, taking the name San Juan for it's capital city.

There is very little known about the history of Puerto Rico before the arrival of Columbus. In the Archaic Age, the island was inhabited by an indigenous tribe known as the Ortoiroi. In 1990, an archeological dig on the island of Vieques uncovered the remains of Puerto Ferro man, believed to be an Archaic man dating back to around 2000 B.C. Sometime between the 7th and 11th century, the Tainos are believed to have populated the island. The Tainos rule lasted until the arrival of Spaniards in 1493.

In modern days, Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States, self-ruled in regards to internal affairs and administration, but subject to the laws of the United States Constitution. Puerto Rico has established its own constitution for internal affairs and local matters, but in regards to matters of currency, defense, external relations, interstate commerce, mining activities and minerals, the postal system, social security, and other issues that relate to outside of the country, the US Federal Government maintains jurisdiction.

Puerto Rico is made up of the main island and a group of smaller islands and keys. Some of the islands, such as Mona, are not inhabited for most of the year, except by employees of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources. In terms of territory, Puerto Rico claims 13,790 square kilometers, including surface land of 8,870 square kilometers and water of 4,920 square kilometers. The capital city of San Juan is located on the northern coast of the main island.

Much of the mainland is made up of mountainous landscape, the largest range being La Cordillera Central, or The Central Range in English. The highest peak, Cerro de Punta, rises 4,390 feet above sea level. The El Yunque National Forest (pictured left) is home to another important peak, El Yunque, with an elevation of 3,494 feet, making it one of the highest mountains in the Sierra de Luquillo.

There are 17 man-made lakes in Puerto Rico and over 50 rivers, most flowing from the Cordillera Central. The southern lakes, with lower annual precipitation, are generally smaller with a slower water flow than those found in the northern regions.

The archipelago enjoys beautiful weather all throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, Puerto Rico presents a consistently warm climate, averaging 82.4°F (28°C). There is no drastic change in the seasons. In the central mountain region of the island, temperatures are always a bit cooler due to the elevation. The northern coast is typically a few degrees warmer than the southern coast. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Puerto Rico was 40°F (4°C) in Aibonito. On the northern coast, San Juan's lowest recorded temperature is 60°F (16°C).

Puerto Rico 's conservation efforts are very important to the wildlife of the area, many species of which are endemic (unique to the area). The Guanica Dry Forest Reserve spans 10,000 acres in southwestern Puerto Rico, home to more than 600 rare species of plants and animals, including 48 endangered species, 16 of them being endemic to Puerto Rico. One of these endemic species, found on the top ten list of the world's most endangered species, is the Puerto Rican Amazon. The Coquí is also endemic of Puerto Rico, a small frog easily recognized by it's vocals, for which it was named, and a great symbol of Puerto Rican pride.

Puerto Rico has maintained a thriving economy since the Great Depression. In the 1940's, the government initiated Operation Bootstrap, which encouraged the construction of tax-free factories. Previously, agriculture was the main economical source, but factories quickly took over the top position. External investments have helped the economy to grow significantly for many decades now, as well as the introduction of capital-intensive industries, including technology, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The tourism industry in Puerto Rico is a key component to its successful economy. In 1999, it was estimated that 5 million people visited the islands, nearly a third of them coming aboard cruise liners. The strength of Puerto Rico's tourism industry can be defined by the steady growth and construction of new hotels and projects related to tourism, going back as far as 1998.

Puerto Rico's tourism industry relies on diverse landscape and natural wonders, culture and historical structures, as well as sporting events and concerts. US residents vacationing or traveling to Puerto Rico are further encouraged by the fact that they do not require a passport to enter the country. Puerto Rico attracts more than US residents, however, with a large portion of their tourists coming from Mexico, France, Spain, Asia, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

Popular tourist destinations in Puerto Rico include the Science Park in Bayamón, the magnificent beaches of Cabo Rojo, Bacardi (the largest rum facility in the world) in Cataño, the island of Culebra, known for it's amazing beaches, the Ponce Museum of Art in Ponce, a coffee plantation museum and old Firehouse in the main square of Juanita and the El Yunque National Rain Forest. The capital city of San Juan has much to offer, from museums and historical landmarks to El Morro Castle (pictured left). The island of Vieques is especially popular, offering magnificent beaches and majestic mountains laced with centuries old Spanish castles.

Vacationing In Puerto Rico
The rich cultural heritage, natural wonders of the diverse landscape and spectacular beaches of the mainland coast and a multitude of islands around Puerto Rico, conjoin to create one of the most splendid vacation destinations in the Caribbean. The consistently warm, tropical weather makes for excellent year-round vacationing. Whether enjoying the sandy beaches, fishing, surfing and scuba diving of Puerto Rico's vast coastal waters, or trekking through the mountainous terrain and rainforests of the central mainland, there is something for everyone in Puerto Rico. Historical enthusiasts will greatly enjoy the many landmarks, castles and other structures of old, found predominantly in San Juan, but also scattered throughout the entire archipelago of Puerto Rico.

For those interested in planning a Puerto Rico vacation, you will find Puerto Rico.Rica24 is the perfect starting point. We provide in-depth resources regarding every aspect of a Puerto Rico vacation. From travel agencies, accommodations, dining and tourist attractions to public and private transportation - anything you may need to know before and during your stay in the phenomenally diverse regions of Puerto Rico can be found right here.

Moving to Puerto Rico
Moving to or even retiring in Puerto Rico presents a wondrous opportunity. US residents especially are drawn to the island nation. As a commonwealth of the US, citizens do not need a passport to enter the country, and the laws are generally the same as the United States, making for an easier transition into a new cultural lifestyle. Investment opportunities are also found in abundance as Puerto Rico has been attracting tourists at a steadily growing rate for more than a decade, with no foreseeable decline.

Puerto Rico.Rica24 provides Puerto Rico Real Estate listings, along with a complete Guide to Purchasing Real Estate in Puerto Rico, which includes in-depth descriptions of property rights and type, purchasing procedures and methods, taxes and fees and most importantly, how to protect your investment. You'll also find detailed materials describing how to buy a car, how to obtain a driver's license, a temporary or permanent residency visa, educational and employment opportunities - virtually everything you could possibly need to know before moving to Puerto Rico.

At Puerto Rico.Rica24, our number-one goal is to shepherd you towards, and assist in the completion, of a spectacular vacation or successful real estate acquisition in Puerto Rico. With a little help and expertise from Rica24, you can make your dreams a reality, whether they be investing your way to a wealthy future, or retiring in the wonderfully diverse landscapes of Puerto Rico.