世界各国

Puerto Rico

Introduction to Puerto Rico

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose to retain commonwealth status.

Government

Capital:

San Juan 

National holiday:

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) 

Economy

Economy overview:

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-03, largely due to the slowdown in the US economy. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $65.21 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1%
industry: 45%
services: 54% (2002 est.)

Agriculture products:

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, chickens 

Industries:

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products, tourism 

Transportation

Ports and harbors:

Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

Merchant marine:

total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 36,728 GRT/37,048 DWT
foreign-owned: United States 2
registered in other countries: 5 (2003 est.)
by type: container 1, roll on/roll off 1

Airports:

30 (2003 est.)