The Unincorporated US Territory with Complicated Status
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island of 3.2 million people that is a United States territory — Puerto Ricans are US citizens (since 1917), use US dollars, and have US passports, but they cannot vote in US presidential elections, have no voting representation in Congress, and the island’s status has been unresolved for 125+ years since the 1898 Spanish-American War.
The island has held six status referendums between 1967 and 2020 — with results varying between maintaining commonwealth status, becoming the 51st US state, and (least popular) full independence. Recent referendums have leaned toward statehood, but the US Congress has never acted to admit Puerto Rico as a state.
The island was devastated by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 — approximately 2,975-4,600 deaths (most in the aftermath, not the storm itself), with massive infrastructure damage and a Trump administration response widely criticised as inadequate. The island’s population has dropped by about 15% since 2010, with many relocating to the US mainland (Florida especially).
Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy in 2017 — $72 billion of debt — the largest US public debt bankruptcy ever. The island also has a 47% poverty rate (far higher than any US state).
But it’s also home to one of the world’s most dynamic Latin music scenes — reggaetón and Latin trap were born here and globalised by Puerto Rican artists like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi (whose “Despacito” broke YouTube). Old San Juan — the 1521-founded Spanish colonial fortress city — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A Brief History
Taíno peoples pre-1493. Spanish colony 1493-1898. US territory since 1898 Spanish-American War. Commonwealth status 1952. US citizenship extended 1917. Hurricane Maria September 2017. Bankruptcy 2017.
Geography and Climate
Puerto Rico covers 9,104 km². Main island plus Vieques, Culebra, Mona. Mountainous centre (El Yunque rainforest). Climate: tropical, hurricane-prone.
Culture, Language and Religion
Spanish and English are official; Spanish is dominant. Religion: approximately 56% Catholic, 33% Protestant.
The Economy
Puerto Rico has a high-income economy (~$120 billion GDP). Pharmaceuticals, tourism, electronics manufacturing. Significant poverty — 47%.
UNESCO Sites
Puerto Rico has 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site: La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site.
Travel Guide
Entry: No visa needed for US citizens (and most international travellers who have US entry). Year-round destination.
Surprising Facts
- Puerto Ricans are US citizens but cannot vote in US presidential elections from the island.
- Puerto Rico has had 6 status referendums — statehood vs commonwealth vs independence — none acted on by Congress.
- Hurricane Maria (2017) killed an estimated 2,975-4,600 — a disaster the Trump administration’s response was widely criticised for.
- Reggaetón was born in Puerto Rico — and the global Latin music explosion largely emerged from the island.
- Old San Juan is the 2nd-oldest European-founded city in the Americas (after Santo Domingo).
- El Yunque — in Puerto Rico — is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.