Country Profile

PR at a Glance

Coat of Arms

The figures on the Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are based on those that appeared on the Coat of Arms which the Spanish Crown granted to the Island of Puerto Rico at the beginning of the XVI Century. It was first recognized by King Ferdinand by virtue of Royal Decree on November 8, 1511. However, it wasn't until March 9, 1905 that a law establishing the official Coat of Arms was signed. It is the only one in Latin America still in official use since the Spanish Regime.

Flag

Five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle on the hoist side, bears a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the Cuban flag. Five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles

Location

Caribbean Sea, an island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic.

Population

3,934,706 (Census Population Projections 2006)

Political Division

8 senatorial districts, 40 representatives districts, 78 municipalities.

Official Name

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The island's inhabitants possess all the rights and obligations of United States citizens such as paying social security, receiving federal welfare and serving in the armed forces, except for the right to vote in presidential elections.

Language

Spanish and English

Currency

United States dollar (US$)

Trade partners

U.S.

Gross National Product (GNP)

$50.3 billion; per capita: $12,947 (2004p, Informe Económico al Gobernador)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Purchasing power parity $65.21billion (2004 est.)

Labor Force

1.3 million (2004p, Informe Económico al Gobernador)

National Hymn (Anthem)

"La Borinqueña"

National Bird

Stripe-headed tanager ("reina-mora")

National Flower

Puerto Rican hibiscus ("Flor de maga")

National Tree

Silk-cotton tree ("ceiba")

National Symbol

El coquí, a tiny frog found everywhere in the island.

Economic Sector Profiles