Puerto Rico Research Paper

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and independent United States region that is embellished with a countryside of green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and tropical forests. However, it is best known for its white sandy beaches. Here one can snorkel, surf, and sail. San Juan is the capital and often visited as a tourist location. One can find bars located beachside, fabulous nightspots, and casinos. The reason for choosing Puerto Rico is because it is similar to the United States in many ways. There has always been a desire to travel there to teach English in this country. Having meet some citizens from the country and had friends that experienced life there as an exchange student has only heightened the desire to move there.

Puerto Rico is one of the prettiest and bluest places on Earth. The absolute location is 18.2208N, 66.5901 W. It is an island, so it is surrounded by water, specifically the Atlantic Ocean. Strange enough, with so much water around, you would think that Puerto Rico’s fishing industry would be outrageous, but its falling fruits beat the title. The people of Puerto Rico are called bordiqua and are very proud of their Latin heritage. They are also extremely proud of their flag with the lonesome star representing common wealth of Puerto Rico. Each three points of the blue triangle represent its 3 branches of Republican government (executive, legislative, and judicial). The three stripes of red stand for the blood shed on the island and the two white stripes represent freedom of man. The Puerto Rican Rock frog (AKA- coquito) is a very large part of their culture. It is called a “robber frog” because of the loud noises it makes leaving sounds like blazing sirens.

“I know what's enchanting about my beautiful Puerto Rico. That's why I love her so, and I'll always call her Precious”. This verse is part of a song called “Preciosa,” which is cataloged as another anthem of Puerto Rico. I was born and grew up knowing the island of Puerto Rico as Borikén, the island of charm. I had the opportunity to know the rural paths of my blessed island, its culture, and its history. Every year in school, I learned about my roots, the “Indio Taino,” the African slaves, and the Spanish colonizers. As I was part of a folkloric dance group, I was able not only to learn of the Puerto Rican culture and history, but to represent it as well. Along with the Puerto Rican history, I always knew Puerto Rico was a territory of the United States, but I

If there was one place in the world I could visit, it would be PuertoRico. Puerto Rico is a very beautiful place. It may seem like an unusual place since most people wanna visit Florida, Hawaii, or any beach. But here is why I want to visit Puerto Rico.

There has been a question that has been asked by hundreds of people. Should America have a 51st state, if yes what should the 51st state be? This logical question makes it clear that there should be a vote on whether Washington D.C. and/or Puerto Rico should become a state or not.

All of Puerto Rico's northern and eastern coast is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches for more than 30 million square miles and tends to be the saltiest ocean on Earth. Like the Caribbean Sea, the waters of the North Atlantic surrounding Puerto Rico tend to be warm year-round due to equatorial water flows and the Gulf Stream that forms north of the island. Cities in Puerto Rico's northern coastline include the island's capital, San Juan, as well as Isabella, Arecibo and

as the searcher for the fountain of youth and discoveror of the state of Florida).

Although Puerto Rico is part of the United States, its culture varies. Many of the holidays celebrated in Puerto Rico are like the United States; however, they have their own special holidays. The period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday is called the Holy Week, and most of the schools during this week are closed. Just like the United States, the most popular religion is Christianity. The traditions of Catholicism are also largely worshiped. Like the United States, the citizens of Puerto Rico are guaranteed religious freedom. The Commonwealth Constitution permits the Puerto Ricans to worship freely. Their music is heavily influenced by their location in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico's music is known broadly for its Caribbean sound. One of

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth island that it is under the United States government. However, this island counts with their own culture and history. In the website "Countries and their Cultures" I found an article called "Puerto Rican-American" by Derek Green. I chose this article because I found it very interesting. The article states that Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea and was discovered by Christopher Columbus 1493 and between 1460–152 Juan Ponce de Leon was the first colonial governor. In 1898 Spain ceded the island to the United States because of the Spanish-American War. In 1925 the United Sates government declared all Puerto Rican as a citizen of the United States.

In 1493 Christopher Columbus found Puerto Rico and claimed it for Spain. While under the Spanish rule Puerto Rico and Cuba were the only two colonies that stayed loyal to Spain by not going against them to gain their independence. The Spanish imported slaves to Puerto Rico in 1517. The slaves were forced to work in the mines and on the field growing ginger and sugar. Ginger and Sugar were raw material that Puerto Rico was best known for. During the Spanish-American war Cuba tried to rebel against Spain to gain their independence. The Cuban revolt failed but the Cubans forced Spain to abolish slavery in 1886. In 1896 President McKinley had the U.S.S. Marine to go to Cuba and get American citizens from there who are in danger. The Marine ship blew up on February

In the 1930, Puerto Rican women were fighting for childcare, maternal care, birth control and control over their reproductive rights (Colon & Ortega, 1998). To make matters worse, Puerto Rican women were used like lab rats. They were blamed for the poverty that existed, In 1937, the government passed Law 116, which allowed permanent sterilization, here in the United States and Puerto Rico as well. It was intended to control the rapid growth in population and unemployment. They called this, “la operacion” (Colon & Ortega, 1998). Many women were deceived in getting tubal ligation, hysterectomy, birth control pill, EMKO, IUD and Depo Shots, not knowing the procedures, side effects or that the changes could be permanent (Colon & Ortega, 1998).

The definition of history according to NAF is, the important events that have happened at the destination, the people it has brought and why, and how the destination has changed over time. Puerto Rico has had a rich history that has affected its development, culture, and population. Puerto Rico's history has shaped the country into the beautiful tourist destination that it now is.

My home town is Añasco Puerto Rico is small and humble but has special sights, sounds and smells that it interesting. Añasco id s very rural town that is filled with beautiful nature sights including mountains and trees. It is home to a friendly community of people as well as horses, chickens and dogs. Añasco is a small town that knows how to party. A very popular festival is held in January that brings people from all different towns to Añasco. Famous artists and rollercoasters are brought to this festival creating a fun atmosphere. Furthermore, it usually rains at least once a day in Añasco which creates a unique scent that I love. Another common smell that is found in Añasco the delicious smell of freshly baked goods. This town is

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States since 1898 and in order to change that status citizens of the territory must vote in a plebiscite, a special referendum. The three options available to choose from were to become a state, to remain a territory, or to become an independent nation (Martin). In the November 6, 2012 plebiscite held in Puerto Rico, 54% of the population said that do not like the current commonwealth status of the island (Alexandrino). The next question offered to the population were three solutions following those of the United Nations guidelines. Of the three options, statehood received the highest vote reigning in 61% of the votes. However, over 480,000 people did not answer the second question (Alexandrino).

Just before noon on a blustery January morning, on a shore of Lagos Dos Bocas, a lake between the towns of Arecibo and Utuado in Central Puerto Rico, fourteen-year old Consuela Flores, skinny legs and knobby knees slashing through thick, green foliage, ran as fast as she could through the lush undergrowth of a Caribbean rain forest. Avoiding the walking trails, the angular teen could hear her pursuer's footsteps gaining on her. Glancing over her shoulder, Consuela stumbled across an above-ground root of a young kapok tree. Trying to regain her balance, she leaned backwards, just before a hand on her shoulder jerked her off her feet. Wrapping his arms around her before wrestling her to the ground, Consuela's fifteen year old cousin, Enrique Maturin straddled her waist, then pinned her arms above her head before leaning toward her with a sweaty, heavy breathing smirk. Half-screaming, half-laughing in gasping fits, Consuela continued struggling to get away before gasping in a mixed dialect of Puerto Rican Spanish, "Okay, I'm caught, let mi go!"