Is Puerto Rico a Country?

Before Christopher Columbus came to Puerto Rico in 1493 during his second trip to the Americas, the island was home to the Taíno people. After Columbus’s arrival, Puerto Rico became a Spanish colony and stayed under Spanish control for more than 400 years. But, in 1898, after the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was given to the United States under the Treaty of Paris. In this article, we will explore “Is Puerto Rice a Country?”, “why this question is asked” and more.

Puerto Rico- A Country?

Puerto Rico is not a country. It is a small Caribbean island (3,515 square miles) and is an unincorporated territory of the United States. All Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections and do not have voting representation in Congress. The U.S. has four other unincorporated territories: Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

According to the Law of the United States, an unincorporated territory is an area under the jurisdiction of the United States government. Still, it is not fully part of the United States. In these territories, the U.S. Constitution applies only partially. Puerto Rico has its own government and laws, but it still follows many rules set by the U.S. government.

Why is this Question Asked?

People ask this question whether Puerto Rico is a country or not because of the following reasons:

• People question Puerto Rico’s status because it has a unique political setup, it is linked to the United States in a complicated way. And people have been discussing and debating its status for many years.
• Some people may ask whether Puerto Rico is a country because they are interested in the broader issues of sovereignty and self-determination.
• Additionally, confusion can arise because Puerto Rico has a distinct culture and identity, leading some to wonder if it functions as an independent country.

Where is Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is an island located in the northeastern part of the Caribbean Sea, southeast of the mainland United States. It is part of the Greater Antilles archipelago, which includes other islands such as Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola (home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The main island coordinates around 18.2° N latitude and 66.5° W longitude.

Interesting Facts about Puerto Rico

• Puerto Rico has a lively blend of influences from its native Taino people, Spanish settlers, African heritage, and American connections. You can see these influences in the music, dances, foods, and celebrations all around the island.
• Puerto Rico has more than 270 miles of coastline, which means it has many beautiful beaches. One of the most famous is Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island.
• The Piña Colada, a popular tropical drink, is believed to have originated in Puerto Rico. A bartender named Ramón Marrero created it at the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan in 1954.
• The old part of San Juan, which is Puerto Rico’s capital city, is famous for its bright Spanish-style buildings, streets made of old stones, and strong forts like El Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal.
• Puerto Rico has a high literacy rate and is home to the University of Puerto Rico, the island’s largest and oldest university system.

Related Links

• What are the US territories?
• Is the Virgin Islands in the US?