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|  | PUERTO RICO COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Puerto Rico is an island east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands. The island is comparatively small, 8959 sq km (3459 sq miles), with a central mountain range reaching an altitude of 1338m (4390ft) at Cerro de Punta, and surrounded by low coastal plains. The capital city of San Juan is divided into an old and a new quarter. The old part was founded in 1521 and is now officially declared a National Historic Zone. It contains many 16th and 17th-century buildings, which have been fully restored and refurbished in the original Spanish style. The city also boasts several museums including one devoted to the legendary cellist, Pablo Casals. Its famous San Juan Cathedral, originally built in the 1520s, was completely restored in 1977. San Jose Church is reputed to be the second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere. The modern architecture of New San Juan has flourished in recent years. The Botanical Gardens are worth a visit, and bay cruises are available offering views back to the city. The Phosphorescent Bay, near La Parguera in the southwest of the island, is a major attraction. Here, marine life lights up when disturbed by fish, boats or any movement. The island cuisine includes paella, sancocho (beef stew), jueyes (land crabs) and pan de agua (Puerto Rican bread). Nightlife is abundant, ranging from spectacular shows in large hotels to dancing, jazz recitals, classical concerts and discos. 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. None (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco. 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, and has recovered in 2004. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | San Juan
The capital city of San Juan is divided into the old and the new. The old part was founded in 1521 and is now officially declared a National Historic Zone, and many 16th- and 17th-century buildings have been restored and refurbished in the original Spanish style. This part of the city boasts many shops, restaurants, art galleries and museums. The Pablo Casals Museum has manuscripts and photographs relating to the work of the famous cellist. Videotapes of performances from past Casals festivals (held every June) can be viewed on request. Casa de los Contrafuertes houses the Latin American Graphic Arts Museum and the Pharmacy Museum, with its recreated apothecary shop. Casa del Callejon is a traditional Spanish-style home, which holds the Museum of Colonial Architecture and the Museum of the Puerto Rican Family. Casa del Libro holds a rare collection of early manuscripts and books, some dating back to the 15th century. The San Juan Museum of Art and History was built in 1855 as a market and restored in 1979 as a cultural centre where the patio is often used for concerts. Plaza de San José, at the 'top' of old San Juan and marked by a statue of Juan Ponce de León, is a picturesque area of small museums and pleasant cafés. Other places of interest in Old San Juan include El Morro (a 16th-century Spanish fortress) and the 18th-century fort of San Cristobal, built in 1771. Both buildings are perched on clifftops at the tip of a peninsula. El Morro, in particular, has many exhibits documenting Puerto Rico's role in the discovery of the New World and was instrumental in the defence of San Juan in the 16th century and its continuing survival.
Casa Blanca, dating from 1523, was built as a home for Ponce de León, and the Dominican Convent (also started in 1523) now houses the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena. La Fortaleza, completed in 1540, is now the Governor's residence - the oldest of its kind in the Western hemisphere. The old San Juan City Wall, dating from the 1630s, was built by the Spanish and it follows the peninsula contour, providing picturesque vantage points for viewing Old San Juan and the sea. San Juan Cathedral, originally built in the 1520s, was completely restored in 1977. San José Church is the second-oldest church in the Western hemisphere - Ponce de León's body was interred here until the early 20th century. The Alcaldia, or City Hall, was built between 1604-1789. The Casino (not to be confused with gambling clubs) is a beautiful building dating from 1917. Recently refurbished, the rich interior boasts marble floors, exquisite plasterwork and 4.7m (12ft) chandeliers.
Excursions
New San Juan is connected to the old town by a narrow neck of land, and modern architecture has flourished in recent years. There are Botanical Gardens and a Museum of Anthropology for the leisurely visitor. Bay cruises are also available, which offer excellent views of the city.
El Yunque, east of the capital, is a 27,000-acre rainforest (with over 240 species of trees) and bird sanctuary. It is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System and is located in the Luquillo Mountains.
Beyond the Capital
Ponce
The beautiful town of Ponce, on the southern side of the island and connected to the capital by a toll road, is situated near many excellent beaches. It hosts an Indian Ceremonial Park and also has several buildings of interest, including a sugar mill and rum museum. The Museum of Art there contains more than 1000 paintings and 400 sculptures, ranging from ancient classical to contemporary art. Its collection of 19th-century Pre-Raphaelite paintings is among the best in the Americas.
Excursions
The Arroyo to Ponce train stops at Guayama, where the station has been restored as a crafts centre.
The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Centre, a short drive from Ponce, is an ancient Indian burial ground. A replica of a Taino Indian village has been built near the small museum, reception area and exhibition hall.
La Parguera
The Phosphorescent Bay, near La Parguera in the southwest of the island, is a major attraction. Here, marine life, microscopic in size, lights up when disturbed by fish, boats or any movement. The phenomenon - especially vivid on moonless nights - is rarely found elsewhere. Boat trips are available at night. There is another phosphorescent bay in Vieques.
Arecibo
The Camuy Caves, near Arecibo on the north coast, is the third-largest cave system in the world. There are well-paved access roads, a reception area, and electric trains to the entrance of the caves. The Arecibo Observatory is the site of the largest radar/radio telescope in the world. Located in the unusual karst country of Puerto Rico, the 20-acre dish is best seen from a small airplane flight between San Juan and Mayagüez.
The Caguana Indian Ceremonial Park, south of the Arecibo Observatory, was built by Taino Indians as a site for recreation and worship 800 years ago. There is another Ceremonial Park in Ponce.
Elsewhere
There are old colonial towns at San German and Mayagüez and a Tropical Agricultural Research Station near the Mayagüez division of the University of Puerto Rico, with cuttings of hundreds of tropical plants.
Many of the drives through the centre of the island take in spectacular scenery and are to be recommended. The Espirito Santo is a navigable river that flows from the Luquillo Mountains to the Atlantic, and has 24-passenger launches available for river tours along 8km (5 miles) of the route. Special arrangements can be made for groups and the boat ride usually takes about two hours. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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