Puerto Rico is not a US state, but it is a US protectorate. Under the jurisdiction of the United States Customs Service, people and goods are allowed to move freely between the small Caribbean Island and the mainland of America. The island itself is a tropical marine island that is located between the Caribbean sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south of Florida. The climate is enjoyable year round, and temperatures remain a nice eighty degrees Fahrenheit near the sea. Higher elevations on the island see only a ten degree, on average, deviation.
Considered part of the Atlantic Standard time zone, this small island is often considered a nice place to visit if you don’t want to go through the trouble of getting a passport to travel to the Caribbean. Because it is officially considered a US Commonwealth, Puerto Ricans enjoy the benefits of American citizenship, though they are not able to vote in federal elections. Currently, the island is led by a governor by the name of Luis Fortuno, who was voted into office in 2009.
Thinking about a move to the island of Puerto Rico? Learn more about your destination first!
- Though it is considered one of the most densely populated islands in the world, the entire island is only about the size of Connecticut. For the number of people living there, it’s a really small place.
- The unofficial ‘state’ animal is a tree frog that can only be found on the island itself. The frog, called the coqui, is only an inch long but it has a ‘voice’ that far exceeds its size. The locals often refer to this song as a lullaby.
- Over 70% of the rum that is in America comes from this tiny island. In fact, rum accounts for more than any other exports of the island and as such, the island economy relies on it.
- The small island was discovered by Christopher Columbus before he arrived in the America’s. It is said that he was not that impressed with the place, and once he claimed it for his home country of Spain, he never returned.
- Though the island is not much of a hub for science, the worlds largest single-dish radio telescope is located deep within the lush rain forest.
Moving to Puerto Rico is definitely a new and different experience for anyone who is looking for something extra in their lives. From the only rain forest to be considered a part of the United States, to the second busiest cruise port in the world, this tiny island really has something to offer everyone.
