Puerto Rico:
Geography

Pages for other countries and territories

Other pages in this profile of Puerto Rico:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition 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 not to alter the existing political status.

Location	Definition Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates	Definition 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references	Definition Central America and the Caribbean
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 13,790 sq km land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 501 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate	Definition tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain	Definition mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,339 m
Natural resources	Definition some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 3.69% permanent crops: 5.59% other: 90.72% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 400 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards	Definition periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issues	Definition erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Geography - note	Definition important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

Puerto Rico: Geography

Puerto Rico:
Geography