Puerto Rico, is a United States possession in the West Indies. It consists of the island of Puerto Rico, the smallest and most easterly island of the Greater Antilles, and several smaller islands, including Vieques and Culebra. Its official name is Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico lies between Hispaniola and the Virgin Islands, about 960 miles (1,540 km) southeast of Florida. The island's northern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean, the southern coast the Caribbean Sea.
| Facts in brief about Puerto Rico | |||
| Capital: San Juan. | |||
| Government: Congress—Resident commissioner, who votes only in committees. Commonwealth legislature—senators, 27; representatives, 53. Local government—78 municipalities. | |||
| Area: 3,427 mi2 (8,875 km2), including Culebra, Mona, and Vieques islands and 56 mi2 (145 km2) of inland water. Greatest distances—east-west, 111 mi (179 km); north-south, 39 mi (63 km). Coastline—311 mi (501 km). | |||
| Elevation: Highest—Cerro de Punta, 4,389 ft (1,338 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level along the coast. | |||
| Population: Current estimate—3,959,000; density, 1,155 per mi2 (446 per km2); distribution, 29 percent rural, 71 percent urban. 2000 census—3,808,610. | |||
| Chief products: Agriculture—milk, poultry products, coffee, fruit. Fishing industry—red snapper, lobster, sierra. Manufacturing—pharmaceuticals, food products, electrical products, machinery, clothing. | |||
| Flag and seal: Puerto Rico's flag, adopted in 1952, has a white star in a blue triangle on the left side. The flag has five red and horizontal stripes. The seal has a lamb that symbolizes peace and brotherhood. The letters F and I above the lamb stand for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. | |||
| Became a commonwealth: July 25, 1952. | |||
| Commonwealth abbreviations: P.R. (traditional); PR (postal). | |||
| Commonwealth motto: Joannes est nomen ejus (John Is His Name). | |||
| Commonwealth anthem: "La Borinquena." Music by Felix Astol y Artes. | |||
