East Puerto Rico Scuba Diving

About Puerto Rico

When Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493 he sure wasn’t aware of the fact that he found one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico is situated south east of Florida, with Haiti and the Dominican Republic as neighbors in the west and the Virgin Islands to the east. After it’s discovery in 1493, the island enjoyed 15 more years in semi-freedom, until it was finally colonized by Spain in 1508. 13 years later, in 1521, the capital city of San Juan, was founded on the Atlantic side of the island. Puerto Rico stayed under the Spanish flag for 377 years until it was relinquished to the USA by Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War.

Because of constitutional reforms during the early nineteenth century, the economy and the population of the island, saw a surge with hundreds of French, Corsican, Lebanese, Portuguese and Chinese families arriving in Puerto Rico. Along came large numbers of immigrants from Spain and former Spanish Colonies in South America. The local character of the island expanded to a colorful mixture of nationalities. There were other settlers like Irish, Scottish, Germans, and Italians arriving in the thousands because they were granted land from Spain during the Royal Decree of Graces in 1815 which allowed European Catholics to settle on Puerto Rico with a fair amount of free land.

Puerto Rico Today

Today Puerto Rico is a self governing, and very independent-minded, territory of the USA and enjoys a great deal of autonomy.
The climate of Puerto Rico is usually humid and hot. If you choose to wander off to higher ground, you will find some lower temperatures in the hillsides of the central and the south of the island.
During the hurricane season from May until October, Puerto Rico is like most Caribbean Islands, subject to an occasional hurricane warning.

Puerto Rico Vacations

The island has become a paradise for Caribbean cruise ships bringing visitors from around the world. The town of Old San Juan is the most popular tourist destination on Puerto Rico today.
Unlike other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico has a very high standard of living with a vibrant industrialized economy. Puerto Rico has a fair amount of manufacturing due to favorable taxation from the U.S.

Puerto Rico in Facts and Numbers:

• Official Name: Puerto Rico, Commonwealth Territory of the USA
• Population: approx. 4,000,000 (last counted July 2003 est.)
• Capital: City San Juan – approx. 450,000 Citizens
• Land Area: 9,100 sq km
• Highest Mountain: “Cerro del Punta” 4,389 ft. (1,338m)
• Languages: Spanish, English
• Official Currency: US Dollar
• Religions: Catholic/Protestant
• Latitude/Longitude: 18º 15N, 66º 30W

Flag of Puerto Rico:

Map of Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico Scuba Diving Tours – Scuba Diving Lessons with East Puerto Rico Diving

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