Puerto Rico

By Anni Kristen Watson

History Of Puerto Rico

Life Before Discovery

• Before the discovery of Puerto Rico by the explorer Christopher Columbus, the Tanio Natives lived on an Island known as Broinquen (the land of the great lords)

• The Tanio’s lived in small villages that were divided into clans with the power being held by their own chief.

• They were very peaceful people with very little practice with weapons.

Tribal Land of the Tanio’s

After… THEY Came…

• This small island was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. He claimed it to be the island of San Juan Bautista for Spain.

• A lieutenant by the name of Juan Ponce Bautista, travelled with Columbus took over Puerto Rico and slaved those native to the land.

• After bloody battles and the toll of the small pox many Tanio natives were killed. Causing a loss of free labor. To fix this problem the Ponce brought in African Slaves.

• After the American- Spanish war Puerto Rico became a property of the United Sates and later a common wealth.

Name Change

• Christopher Columbus named Puerto Rico San Juan Bautista.

• When Juan Ponce took over he named a city Puerto Rico, meaning rich port.

• Years later with much talk of the successful trade of sugar cane from Puerto Rico (the city) people confused it to be what the island was actually called. The names were confused somewhere in the 1520s and as a result the names were switched.

Traditional Food

Spice it up!Many distinct flavors used from practices of Africa, Amerindian Taino, United States and Spain makes Puerto Rican food Unique… • Herbs and spices are used

habitually• Many dishes include

tomatoes, red peppers, garlic, rice, beans and a wide variety of vegetables.

• Coconut is a very common ingredient in desert dishes.

What’s Cookn’?

• Stuffed turkey is popular from November to January as a Thanksgiving turkey.

• Pork is essential to holiday cooking • Soups are a popular start to most meals • Arroz con Pollo is the most popular

chicken dish. • Asopao is the most traditional dish

made with shellfish and chicken. • Aromatic coffee is served with meals.

Argos con gandules a yellow-rice and pigenon-pea-dish with capers and olives stuffed with

red peppers. It is part of Puerto Rico’s national dish.

Piraguas shaved ice cones covered with different syrups of fruit flavors.

Asopao is the most traditional dish made with shellfish and chicken.

Government Of Puerto Rico

Common Wealth?

• As a result of the American- Spanish War the United States gained control over Puerto Rico.

• Instead of becoming a state, Puerto Rico is self governing with only some dependence on the United States.

• Although the main body of power lies within the United States Puerto Rico does have its own governor.

• Although Puerto Rico has a voice in congress it is not eligible to vote in the United States federal elections.

Political Parties

The PPD or Popular Democratic Party • Bases its political power and opinions on the

positive common wealth view. They are supporters of Puerto Rico’s current commonwealth status. The governor Alejandro Javier Garcia Padilla is the leader of the PPD.

The PNP or the New Progressive Party • Supports becoming one of the states with views

and ideals based on the dependence of the states.The Independence party (PIP)• Supports total independence from the states for

Puerto Rico to become its own Country.

Sports In Puerto Rico

Play Ball!

• Cockfights are incredibly popular in Puerto Rico as the “Gentleman’s Sport” is band in most states in the US.

• Baseball was one of the first sports to gain a large popularity in Puerto Rico.

• Basketball is also a well organized amateur league with 16 teams.

• The Women’s national soft ball team has won many international events and even participated in the Olympics.

• Other popular sports include boxing, track and field, volleyball and horse racing.

Demographics of Puerto Rico

The facts

• Puerto Rico has a population of 3 690 923 as of July 2012

• 79.07 years of age is the life expectancy for those living in Puerto Rico.

• 94.1% Literacy rate. • The nationality of Puerto Rico is a Puerto

Rican, whom are US citizens. • Puerto Rico is known for its easy

communication as its two main languages are Spanish and English.

Interesting Facts of Puerto Rico

Huh? How about that? • Puerto Rico is one of the most populated islands in

the world.• Puerto Rico could fit almost 48 times into Alberta. • Puerto Rico’s official and much loved mascot is a

small tree frog only found on the island. Tree frogs sing all night long until dawn.

• Puerto Rico has over 270 beaches. • Puerto Rico has the worlds single largest radio

telescope, you may have seen it in the James Bond movie Golden Eye.

• Puerto Rico has one of the oldest churches in the United States. The San Jose Church founded in 1522.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvOLT7fjQ3Q