Over the years numerous unsuccessful attempts were made by the French, Dutch, and English to conquer the island. To guard against these incursions, the Spanish constructed the many forts and ramparts still found on the island. As a result, the turn of the century saw Puerto Rico under United States sovereignty.
At that time, Puerto Rico's economy relied on its sugar crop, but by the middle of the century, an ambitious industrialization effort, called Operation Bootstrap, was underway. Cheap labor and attractive tax laws attracted American companies, and soon the Puerto Rican economy was firmly grounded in manufacturing and tourism.
Today, Puerto Rico is a leading tourist destination and manufacturing center; the island produces high-tech equipment and many top-selling American pharmaceuticals. The latest arrivals to Puerto Rico have come from the economically depressed Dominican Republic. This historic intermingling has resulted in a contemporary Puerto Rico practically without racial problems very close to but not completely.
Additionally, Puerto Rico is full of contrasts. While we Puerto Ricans love our country and accept the free association with the United States, we also like to emphasize our loyalty to our culture, folklore, hospitality and way of life. You'll experience the wonderful array of food, music, and family traditions. These are the hundreds of traditions that define the island of Puerto Rico. All content included on this website, is not public domain material.
The content is the intellectual property of Magaly Rivera or her content providers. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is prohibited without express written permission.
Skip Navigation. They surmised that because the island had an elected self-government and a constitution that it was no longer a colony. However, Ponsa-Kraus and other constitutional scholars argue that because the U. Further complicating the matter of status, the official name of Puerto Rico in Spanish is different from its name in English. In Spanish, the territory is referred to as el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico , which translates to a free associated state.
Under international law, a free associated state is an independent country that has enhanced association with another country through a treaty. This is also a misnomer since Puerto Rico is not an independent country but rather a U. For hundreds of years, the people of Puerto Rico have fought to decolonize the archipelago. However, there has long been division over the best way to resolve this issue: statehood, enhanced commonwealth status where Puerto Rico is still in relationship with the United States but given more autonomy or independence.
Likewise, by simple legislation, Congress can provide for the independence of a territory. Despite its constitutional and legal simplicity, politics make the process complex. In November , Puerto Ricans voted in a non-binding referendum on statehood. About 53 percent of Puerto Ricans favored statehood, while 47 percent rejected it.
However, only 55 percent of Puerto Ricans voted in the referendum. Statehood proponents viewed the results as proof that most Puerto Ricans want the territory to be admitted, but opponents questioned the validity of the votes as referendums are unbinding, often promoted solely by the pro-statehood party and include the opinions of only half of Puerto Ricans.
Some people oppose statehood based on the argument that Puerto Rico will assimilate to the United States if it becomes a state. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us!
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