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A Bit of History

Puerto Rico - The Basics

Written by Grant Draper
Puerto Rico is officially known as the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, which of course is Spanish for the "Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico". Puerto Rico is also a popular destination for worldwide travels, offering relatively inexpensive travelling costs, first class accomadation and attractions, such as golden sandy beaches, which are second to none.
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San Juan, a settlement of the Spanish Empire

In 1508, Juan Ponce de León founded the original settlement Caparra (named after the province Caceres, Spain, the birthplace of then-governor of Spain's Caribbean territories Nicolas de Ovando), which today is known as the Pueblo Viejo sector of Guaynabo, just to the west of the present San Juan metropolitan area.

San Juan is the capital and largest municipality in Puerto Rico. As of the 2000 census, it has a population of 433,733, making it the 42nd-largest city under the jurisdiction of the United States. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, who called it Ciudad de Puerto Rico ("Rich Port City").

Some City of Aguadilla historic facts

The present territory of the City of Aguadilla, was originally part of the territory of Aguada, which segregated around 1780 to form an independent party.

Yauco, City of Coffee

Yauco is a city (ciudad) and municipality in southwestern Puerto Rico located in the southern coast of the island by the Caribbean Sea, south of Maricao, Lares and Adjuntas; east of Sabana Grandeand Guánica; and west of Guayanilla. Yauco is spread over 20 wards and Yauco Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

Vieques, Little Girl Island

Vieques in full Isla de Vieques, is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico in the northeastern Caribbean. Although Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth, Vieques, like the rest of Puerto Rico, retains strong Spanish influences from 400 years of Spanish ownership.

Mayagüez, City of Pure Waters

Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" (The Sultaness of the West) or "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" (City of Pure Waters), the Spanish crown gave it the formal title of "Excelente ciudad de Mayagüez", Mayagüez is located in the center of the western coast on the island of Puerto Rico.

Mayagüez's contributions to Puerto Rican gastronomy have been many, and a few of these are known outside Puerto Rico. Besides being host to one of the largest concentrations of mango (spelled locally as "mangó") trees in the island, the city has been a host to various food enterprises whose products are popular in Puerto Rico (and some elsewhere):

Visitors to Puerto Rico save big this winter

San Juan, Puerto Rico The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) is helping travelers escape the cold weather for fun in the sun this winter by offering travelers $200 off a 4 night / 5 day air and hotel package to the island.

Dorado, a small and friendly tourist town

Dorado is a small tourist town in the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles (24 km) west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Toa Alta, east of Vega Alta, and west of Toa Baja.

Cabo Rojo tourism flourished with hotels and marinas

Cabo Rojo tourism industry has flourished with the development of hotels and marinas. Cabo Rojo is also well-known for its fishing, particularly the Puerto Real fishing village, and its many seafood restaurants, most of which are found in the village of Joyuda.

Puerto Rico tourism company reports highest increase in cruise traffic to the island in twenty years

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO As peak travel season draws near, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) and the Puerto Rico Port Authority expect close to 20,000 visitors to descend upon the shores of the Island of Enchantment in the coming months, with a spending power of up to 15 million dollars. Read more...

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