Vital Statistics of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, Spanish for rich port is officially known as The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, island (1994 pop. 3,802,000), 3,425 sq mi (8,871 sq km), West Indies, c.1,000 m (1,610 km) SE of Miami. It is a self-governing entity in association with the U.S. The capital is SAN JUAN; other urban centers include BAYAMóN, PONCE (second largest city), Carolina, and Caguas.

Its west coast is dominated by the city of MAYAGüEZ (third largest city). Christopher Columbus' first landing in 1493 occurred at the shores of the island's northwestern coast. Two governing districts manage the courts, law enforcement, permits, and public works. The district offices are located in Aguadilla and Mayaguez. Aguadilla coordinates the municipalities of Aguadilla, Aguada, Rincón, Isabela, Moca, and San Sebastian. The district offices in Mayagüez coordinate the municipalities of Añasco, Mayagüez, Cabo Rojo, Guanica, San German, Maricao, and Las Maria's

Easternmost of the Greater Antilles, it is bounded by the Atlantic (N), the Caribbean (S), the Dominican Republic (W), and the Virgin Islands (E). Puerto Rico is crossed by mountain ranges, notably the Cordillera Central, which rises to 4,389 ft (1,388 m). The climate is tropical. Sugarcane was long the chief agricultural product, but livestock and dairy production have surpassed it in importance. Coffee, tobacco, and fruits are other leading crops. The population, however, depends chiefly on industrial employment; the manufacture of machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronic equipment, and plastics, as well as oil refining, are important. Tourism is also a major source of revenue.

Puerto Ricans share the rights and duties of U.S. citizens, except that they do not pay federal income taxes and do not vote in national elections (unless living on the mainland). The Puerto Ricans are descended from Spanish colonists, with admixed aboriginal native and African strains. Spanish and English are the official languages, but Spanish is predominant.