Puerto Rico marks the eastern end of the chain known as The Great Antilles, starting in the west with Cuba, Jamaica, the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the DR). While under the flag of the United States, Puerto Rico has its own constitution and government, thus making it a popular vacation spot - and cruise destination - for U.S. mainlanders. This also explains the many first-class hotels, gambling casinos and glitzy nightlife found in San Juan, the major capital city of approx 1.5 million which provides all the amenities for the tourist crowds. While a lush mountainous interior, the island's 275-mile coastline sports some terrific beaches; some crowded tourist spots as well as little deserted coves. A little historical note: the explorer Ponce de Leon originally named the island San Juan and the city Puerto Rico, or "rich port". For whatever reason, the names were later switched over.
