Puerto Rico Country & Tourist Information

Location
Caribbean.

Area
8,870 sq km (3,459 sq miles).

Population
3.94 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
444.2 per sq km.

Capital
San Juan.
Population: 442,447 (2004).

Government
Self-governing US Commonwealth Territory (incorporated). Gained internal autonomy in 1951.

Language
Spanish and English are the official languages.

Religion
Roman Catholic 85%; the remainder are other Christian denominations and Jews.

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Head of Government
Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila since 2005.

Head of State
President George W Bush since 2001.

Recent History
In 1998, the third referendum in 30 years asked Puerto Ricans to decide between becoming the USA’s 51st state, becoming independent, entering a compact of free association or retaining the status quo. They narrowly voted for the status quo. Independence remains a sensitive issue, however, and its advocates received a boost in 2003 when the US military ended its use of the island of Vieques for military exercises after 60 years.

At the end of 2004, Sila Maria Calderón of the PPD was opposed by Anibal Acevedo Vila. It was an extremely close race. After two months of wrangling and recounts, Acevedo Vila, leader of the pro-Commonwealth Popular Democratic Party, scraped through and was confirmed as the new head of government.

In 2006, an appeal was taken to the US Supreme Court requesting that Puerto Ricans be given the right to vote in US presidential elections; however the appeal was rejected.

Telephone
Country code: 1787.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators.

Internet
Internet access is available in all cities and large towns; terminals can also be found in hotels and business centers.

Media
Broadcasting is regulated by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).


Post
Puerto Rico post is part of the US postal system. Airmail to Western Europe takes up to one week.

Press
• The English-language newspaper published in Puerto Rico is The San Juan Star.
• Others include El Nuevo Día, El Vocero de Puerto Rico and Primera Hora.

Radio
• WIAC Radio Puerto Rico is a commercial station (news and talk), as is WPRM Cadena Salsoul (salsa and tropical music).
• WIPR Radio 940 is a public radio station.

Below are Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
12 Jan Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos.
19 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 
16 Feb President's Day.
22 Mar Emancipation of the Slaves. 
10 Apr Good Friday.
20 Apr José de Diego Day.
25 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul US Independence Day. 
20 Jul Luis Muñoz Rivera's Birthday.
25 Jul Constitution Day.
27 Jul José Celso Barbosa's Birthday. 
7 Sep Labor Day. 
12 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
19 Nov Discovery of Puerto Rico Day. 
26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
14 Jan Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos. 
18 Jan Martin Luther King Day.
15 Feb President's Day.
22 Mar Emancipation of the Slaves. 
2 Apr Good Friday.
21 Apr José de Diego Day.
24 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul US Independence Day. 
19 Jul Luis Muñoz Rivera's Birthday.
25 Jul Constitution Day.
27 Jul José Celso Barbosa's Birthday. 
6 Sep Labor Day. 
11 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
19 Nov Discovery of Puerto Rico Day.
25 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Each town celebrates a festival or fiesta in honor of a local patron saint. These can last up to 10 days.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic Representation
As an estado libre asociado (commonwealth state) of the USA, Puerto Rico manages its own affairs, but is represented abroad by USA embassies and consulates. Addresses of these and of USA tourist offices may be found in the United States of America section.

Puerto Rico Tourism Company in Spain
Calle Serrano 1, 2A, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (91) 431 2128.
Website: www.gotopuertorico.com
Takes enquiries from the UK.

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com

Puerto Rico Tourism Company in the USA
666 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10103, USA
Tel: (212) 586 6262 or 1 800 866 7827.
Website: www.gotopuertorico.com


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