Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an island in the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean Sea having a local government with full powers. San Juan (St John's in English) is its capital city. It was one of the earliest Spanish settlements in the New World. In 1898, it was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War. However, in 1952, it became a commonwealth in voluntary association with the United States.

The island was discovered by Columbus, who called it Hispaniola, in 1493. Colonised by Spain in 1510, it attempted unsuccessfully to gain independence in 1820-23. The abolition of slavery in 1873, and the growth of population, marked the remainder of its history as a Spanish colony. It was seized by the United States in the war of 1898.

This West Indian island, 75 miles East of Haiti, is well watered and very fertile. Ranges of hills run from East to West, and are covered with valuable timber. Sugar, coffee, and rice are the principal crops. Tobacco and tropical fruits are grown. Cattle and horses are reared. Textile goods, hardware, and provisions are imported. The exports are sugar, coffee, tobacco, and cattle. Important cities are Mayaguez, and Ponce, apart form the capital city San Juan.