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Puerto Rico
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Puerto Rico is a commonwealth associated with the United States in the Caribbean. The main religion is Christianity. The main language is Spanish. The Spanish colony of Puerto Rico became American in 1899. The country is a presidential (gubernatorial) democratic dependency.
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 and 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.
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| Official Name: |
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico |
| Area: |
9,104 square km (3,515 sq. miles) |
| Capital: |
San Juan |
| Nationality: |
Puerto Rican (US Citizen) |
| Official Language: |
Spanish and English |
| Population: |
3,857,000 |
| Currency: |
U.S. Dollar |
| Exchange Rate: |
1 U.S. $ = 1 U.S. $ |
| Time Zone: |
EST + 1; GMT -4 |
| Phone Code: |
Area code 787 plus local number |
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