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| Independence Year : Population : 3869000 Life Expectancy : 75.6 Capital : 2919 GNP : 34100.00 GNP Old : 32100.00 Local Name : Puerto Rico Government Form :Commonwealth of the US Location : Caribbean islandbetween the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. Terrain : Mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Climate : Tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation, south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt innorth. Ethnic Group : white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% Religions : Roman Catholic 85%,Protestant and other 15% Official Website :www.gobierno.pr | 
Genral Information - Puerto Rico
Background
Before colonization the Caribbean island was inhabited by Arawak Indians known as Taínos. The group of islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean was discovered by Columbus in 1493 who, common practice, claimed San Juan Bautista, how he named the island, immediately for the Spanish Empire. After four centuries of Spanish colonial rule, in the year 1898, following the Spanish-American War, the island was ceded by Spain to the United States. Today the island state is a self-governing unincorporated organized territory of the United States. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held in 1967 and 1993, voters chose to retain commonwealth status. (Various Sources) |
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