Puerto Rico Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location..: Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean region.
Cities: The capital and largest city of Puerto Rico is San Juan.
Behind the Name: Puerto Rico is commonly nicknamed the “Island of Enchantment.” The territory is also regularly referred to as “Borinquen,” a derivative of its indigenous Taino name.
A Closer Look: Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1898, and Puerto Ricans were granted full U.S. citizenship in 1917.
Did You Know? Today Puerto Rico elects a resident commissioner to serve four-years terms as non-voting members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Puerto Rico, however, has no representation in the U.S. Senate.
Puerto Rico Careers and Employment:
Population: 3,971,020 (0.34% estimated increase since 2008) - 54% Female, 46% Male. (2009 CIA World Factbook)
Business Environment: Ranked 9th of 181 countries in a 2009 “Best Country to Start a Business” ranking. (DoingBusiness.org)
Top Industries: In terms of job opportunities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: (1) services; (2) government; (3) trade; (4) manufacturing; and (5) construction and mining.
Taxes: Most citizens do not pay U.S. Federal Income Taxes; Sales Tax, 7% (CIA World Factbook)
Quality of Life: San Juan received the highest ranking of any city in Central and South America in a 2009 Mercer Quality of Life Global City Ranking.
Weather: Average Temperature (in °F.) – Jan: 77; Apr: 79; July: 82; Oct: 82. (Weather.com)
Puerto Rico Economics:
In General: Puerto Rico maintains one of the more distinguished economies in the Caribbean region. Historically focused in the agriculture sector, the territory now boasts a diversified industrial sector founded in investments from large U.S. companies.
Service Industry: A vast majority of Puerto Rico’s labor force is employed in the service industry, with over three-fourths of workers found in service related occupations.
Agriculture: Agriculture accounts for less than 1% of Puerto Rico’s gross domestic product; however the territory is a key international producer of sugarcane, coffee, livestock products and tropical fruits including bananas and pineapple.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and electronics lead Puerto Rico’s diverse industrial sector, which also yields significant clothing production and food processing.
Mining: Puerto Rico’s major mined product is oil, which represents an extremely profitable export.
A Closer Look: Typically a billion dollar industry, tourism is one of the most important contributors to Puerto Rico’s economic success.
Did You Know? Many people in Puerto Rico already use solar power to heat water in their houses, and in 2002 the University of Puerto Rico was awarded an international award for the design of an entirely solar-powered home.
Puerto Rico Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in Puerto Rico, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the CIA World Factbook; World Info Zone; Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources; and Wikipedia.com
