Puerto Rico is the easternmost and smallest of the Better Antilles, bordered via the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Basin to the south.
Neither a state nor independent, the island has been a US territory in view that 1898.
Everyone born on the island is an American citizen and holds a US passport. On The Other Hand, citizens can not vote in US presidential elections, until they’re registered to vote in one of the 50 states.
Puerto Rican culture is a blend of Amerindian Taino, Spanish and African influences with Spanish being the island’s first language.
Tourism is crucial cash-earner and the island attracts thousands and thousands of visitors every year. But crippling public debt, poverty and high unemployment have seen a lot of the islanders go away for the us mainland.
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Ricardo Rossello was once sworn in in January 2017 after winning the governor’s race, promising to push for statehood as the territory faced a deep economic challenge.
He proposed a number of measures geared toward alleviating the trouble, including a proposal to hold a referendum that might ask electorate whether or not they want statehood or independence.
Many have argued that Puerto Rico’s political standing has contributed to its decade-long challenge that has brought about more than 200,000 other people to flee to the us mainland in latest years.
Mr Rossello is a scientist and the son of a former governor who also sought statehood for Puerto Rico.
The commonwealth constitution is modelled on that of the U.s. with a governor elected for a four-year time period and a bicameral legislature.
MEDIA
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Broadcasting is regulated via the united states Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Home-grown comedies, communicate displays and Spanish-language soaps are staple fare on native TELEVISION stations. The multichannel services of cable TV are extensively available.
News and talk and Spanish-language pop song are a few of the most popular radio formats.
There were 2.6 million internet users through June 2014 Internetworldstats.com).
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TIMELINE
Some key dates in the historical past of Puerto Rico:
Symbol copyright Getty Images Symbol caption The San Felipe del Morro fort in San Juan is a UN World Background Web Page
1493 – Christopher Colombus claims the island for Spain on his second voyage to the Americas. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon establishes the first cost in 1508.
1500s – Indigenous Amerindian Taino inhabitants is virtually burnt up through disease and new settlers. African slave labour is imported.
1868 – a well-liked rebellion towards Spanish rule is suppressed however becomes an emblem of the independence combat.
1898 – Spain cedes Puerto Rico to the united states at the end of the Spanish-American War.
1900 – US Congress establishes a civil executive below the Foraker Act however continues strict keep watch over over island affairs. Puerto Ricans are granted US citizenship in 1917 below the Jones Act.
1940s – Puerto Rico profits partial self-rule with popularly elected governors.
1952 – Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing commonwealth of the U.s.a.. Below US management, it reports growth but nationalist sentiment is still present.
1960–70s – Violent separatism – a series of bombings and killings in the nineteen seventies and 1980s are blamed on pro-independence team, the Macheteros, or Cane Cutters.
1998 – Puerto Ricans back persisted commonwealth standing in a referendum.
2003 – the united states executive stops army coaching on the offshore island of Vieques after protests.
2006 – The expiry of a federal tax holiday for US companies in position since 1976 triggers financial recession.
2012 – Puerto Ricans vote for US statehood for the primary time in a non-binding referendum on the island’s status.
2017 – The territory publicizes chapter – the largest ever for a US native govt. In a non-binding referendum in a while, it votes once more to grow to be a US state despite the fact that simplest 23 % of citizens take part.
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Image copyright Getty Photographs Symbol caption The Vieques goal range was once utilized by the united states military till its closure following protests
