The island of Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean just east of the Dominican
Republic. Puerto Rico is about the same size as the states of Delaware and Rhode
Island in the United States. The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan and is a very
important port.
The island is characterized by a high central mountain range, a dry southern coast, a
fertile northern coast, and El Yunque rain forest. Puerto Rico's climate is mildly
tropical. Rain falls mainly between May and December. The average temperature is
between 70° F and 80° F. Hurricanes often cause havoc in Puerto Rico.
Since World War II, industrialization and duty-free trade with the United States have done a great deal to strengthen the economy in Puerto Rico. Besides manufacturing, the government, services, and tourism are the largest sources of work.
Exports include sugar, coffee, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and electronic equipment. The U.S. dollar is the official currency.
Spanish and English share status as the official language in Puerto Rico. This
seems to change in accordance with the relation that Puerto Rico has with the
United States. Spanish is the language used in schools, but English is a required
course and most Puerto Ricans are able to speak that language.
Since Spanish and English are both so widely used locally, Spanglish (the combination of Spanish and English words) is used in informal communication.
There are approximately 3.8 million people in Puerto Rico, about 450,000 live in
the capital of San Juan. It is interesting to note that the largest single community
of Puerto Ricans is found in New York, where nearly 1 million Puerto Ricans are found.
Common phrases used to say good-bye include Hasta luego (Until later), Nos vemos (We'll see you), and Chau (Good-bye).
Here is a recipe for:
Black Bean Soup
Ingredients:
Directions:
1 cup dried black beans 2 quarts beef stock (from beef boullion cubes) 1 cup canned puréed pumpkin Salt and pepper, to taste 1 onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup tomato sauce 3 teaspoons tapioca 2 tablespoons butter Garnish: 2 hard-cooked eggs, cut in wedges
Pick over and wash beans. Soak overnight in 3 cups water.When ready to cook, discard the water and cover beans with 2 quarts of beef stock. Cook in covered saucepan over medium heat about 50 minutes, or until beans are tender, adding small quantities of water as necessary.
When beans are done, add pumpkin purée and cook about 15 minutes, uncovered. Add salt, pepper, sliced onion, and tomato sauce; cook until onion is tender and soup is of desired consistency.
Strain, add tapioca and butter, and reheat for about 2 minutes, until butter is melted. Do not boil.
The most popular forms of music include salsa, plena, bomba, and danza puertorriqueña. Puerto Ricans have a long tradition of literature, arts, and music.
Puerto Rico celebrates both local and U.S. holidays. Some important holidays include: Abolition of Slavery (March 22) and Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (November 19). The carnaval season just before Lent is also celebrated.
For more information on Puerto Rico, please visit:
Photos courtsey of the U.N.