Christopher Columbus arrived at Puerto Rico in 1493. He originally called the island San Juan Bautista, but thanks to the gold in the river, it was soon known as Puerto Rico, or "rich port;" and the capital city took the name San Juan. Soon, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony on its way to becoming an important military outpost.
Puerto Rico began to produce cattle, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, which led to the importation of slaves from Africa. As a result, Puerto Rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing of the Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno and Carib Indian races that shared the island. Today, many Puerto Rican towns retain their Taíno names, such as Utuado, Mayagüez and Caguas.
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. Puerto Rico remained an overseas province of Spain until the Spanish-American war, when U.S. forces invaded the island with a landing at Guánica. Under the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico (along with Cuba, the Philippines and Guam) to the U.S.
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.
Puerto Ricans received U.S. citizenship in 1917 and Puerto Rico officially became a U.S. Commonwealth in 1952. The issue of political status is one under constant debate, with some in favor statehood, others independence, and still others the continuation of commonwealth status.
During World War II, the U.S. Navy purchased two thirds of the island to use as a naval base. The Navy used the area for military exercises and bombing practice for nearly 60 years until a civilian was killed during a bombing exercise in the 1990s. This sparked a wave of protests that finally ended when the base closed in 2003. Since then, the Navy's lands have become wildlife reserves.
Spanish and English are official languages and the currency is the U.S. Dollar.
Subscribe now for more of Smithsonian's coverage on history, science and nature.
Comments (17)
+ View All Comments
i like this web site
Posted by erin on May 13,2013 | 09:20 AM
i love being puerto rican
Posted by angie on May 2,2013 | 03:32 PM
i love my heritage Puerto Rico and people who insults my hertitage should be ashamed
Posted by Bianca Ruiz on April 23,2013 | 05:14 PM
How lovely, you forget the slavery and tortures the people went through.
Posted by dave on April 22,2013 | 10:26 AM
I recently traveled to Puerto Rico for spring break and happened to find an awesome artifact- what seems to be a VERY OLD button from a millitary jacket. When I visited Old San Juan, I found a way down to the shoreline in front of Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery (a route that the locals use to go surfing). While looking for shells in the small craters of the shoreline's jagged sandstone, I found the completely intact button. The button is green and slightly corroded from the sea, but completely intact. There is some sort of insignia on the front that I cannot make out because of the corrosion, but I believe that an expert could reveal the details of the symbol on the button. I showed this button to many of the locals, and they all said it could be as many as 500 years old. I would love to talk to an expert about this, but I am having trouble finding anyone who can help me. I can send detailed photos of the button. Someone please respond if you can help. Thanks! -Matt Herring mattherring88@hotmail.com
Posted by Matt Herring on April 2,2013 | 07:09 PM
Your article is misleading. The navy did not purchase two thirds of the main island of Puerto Rico. They purchased land in the island of Vieques. The base was located on the main land, the island of Vieques was used as a bombing target.
Posted by Robert Coulter on March 4,2013 | 03:50 PM
My uncle lives in Puerto Rico (going there during the summer) and it seems like a great place. I have seen pictures and it looks fantastic!
Posted by Abby on February 14,2013 | 03:06 PM
The Navy held 2/3 of an island off Puerto Rico's northeast coast called Vieques. The tiny island was heavily polluted by the Navy & will likely take more than our lifetimes to restore it to its once pristine conditions. The lands & surrounding waters will always belong to the caretakers of this tiny island. The Navy were at best, guests & at their worst, abusive ignorants, but Vieques will go on to thrive as their new status cannot be revoked by any American official including a U.S. President. No doubt, Justice is sweetness to those who have suffered under the hands of injustice and so, the real work begins to protect the only bio-illuminesque bay in North America & precious indigenous flora & fauna. Please help Vieques P.R. However you can. P.R. Lost about $232 Million dollars when the Navy left closing its mainland operations as well as the base on Vieques, P.R. Thank you.
Posted by Cruz Paez on December 9,2012 | 10:45 AM
I LOVE PUERTO RICO
Posted by miguel on November 16,2012 | 08:37 PM
The last paragraph incorrectly states that 2/3 of Puerto Rico was purchased by the U.S. Navy. The fact is: The Navy purchased 2/3 of Vieques which is an island territory of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. This content should definitely be changed on the website. An error like this makes everything coming from this website dubitable. It saddens me because, I thought the Smithsonian would be a source of reliable and trusted information.
Posted by Yolanda Castro on September 25,2012 | 06:51 PM
Sorry, Diana that you did not have fun time. Every country someone travels to has it's good and bad experiences. Puerto Rico is not exception.
Posted by angie on July 14,2012 | 12:07 PM
As an introduction the Smithsonian should have mentioned the original inhabitants of Puerto Rico The Taino Indians. In addition how Borinken is the original name of the island before Columbus arrive. In addition of how we address each other as Boriquas. Understanding that Columbus arrived to Puerto Rico however the Taino Indians recieved him and his lost ships with open arms.
Posted by angie on July 14,2012 | 12:04 PM
I DONT LIKE WHAT YOU WROTE HIRE BECOUSE I'VE BEEN THERE SO IT WASENT LIKE THAT GOOD IT WAS NOT FUN
Posted by DIANA on May 30,2012 | 05:44 AM
I am half puerto rican (mixed with african american and cuacajuan also) and at first I didnt know much about this half of my race. this is my first time i have taken the time to study my heritage. its really great to actually read all of this and get information.
Posted by Nakosha Gadddis on January 21,2011 | 02:35 PM
+ View All Comments