Puerto Rico

Total Area: 9,104 sq km (3,508 sq mi) The maximum length from east to west (from Punta Puerca to Punta Higuero) of 180 km (110 mi) and with a maximum width from north to south (from Isabella to Punta Colón) of 65 km (40 mi).

Land Area: 8,959 sq km Comparative area: approximately three times the size of Rhode Island. Water Area: 145 sq km

Map References: Central America and the Caribbean. Limits: To the west by Haití and the Dominican Republic (La Hispañola), separated by the Mona Passage ("Mona Canal"), to the east by the Virgin Islands, to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by the Caribbean Sea.

Source: National Geographic Society

Land boundaries: 0 km. Coastline: 501 km. Borders: Puerto Rico is under the U.S. customs jurisdiction. Borders are open between P.R. and the U.S., allowing for free movement of people and merchandise. Maritime Claims: Continental shelf: 200 NM (depth) Exclusive economic zone: 200 NM Territorial sea: 12 NM Capital: San Juan (founded in 1508, by Juan Ponce de León). Administrative Divisions: None (Commonwealth associated with the U.S.); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. Government, but there are 78 municipalities. Municipalities are further subdivided into barrios, and those into sectors. Other territories include: Mona (5,517 hectares), Monito (15 hectares), Desecheo (122 hectares), and Caja de Muertos (202 hectares). Numerous other small cays lie offshore of Puerto Rico.

Political Division: 8 senatorial districts, 40 representative districts, 78 municipalities. Major Cities: Ponce, Caguas, Mayagüez, Bayamón, Carolina, Arecibo, Guaynabo, Cayey, Aguadilla, and Fajardo. Most Popular City Destinations: San Juan, Ponce, Mayagüez, Bayamón, Fajardo, San Germán Cayey, and Caguas. Time Zone: Atlantic Standard (AST), which is one hour later (+1) than Eastern Standard Time (EST) and four hours earlier (-4) than Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Puerto Rico does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Sunrise/Sunset Average: 6:54 am to 6:21 pm Because of the latitude of Puerto Rico the sun is high overhead all year, there are no great variations from day to day between the times of sunrise and sunset. Language: Spanish and English are the official languages, but Spanish is without a doubt the dominant language. English is spoken for about 1/4 of the population-with limited capabilities. English is required in all federal matters. English is spoken in all major tourist areas (%80 Spanish, %20 other).

National Holiday: November 19 (The Discovery of Puerto Rico date). All U.S. government holidays are celebrated in Puerto Rico. Additionally, there are nine local holidays, which usually honor important leaders or events in the island's history. Government offices, banks, the post office and most stores are closed on the official holidays. National Hymn (Anthem): "La Borinqueña" The national hymn reflects the character of the people very accurately. The air, "La Borinqueña ", recalls the island's Indian past. It was originally a dance measure. Now in a slower tone, and the orchestration of Ramón Collado, the Puerto Rican anthem has a gracious, melancholic tone, agreeably free of the bombast that often characterizes national anthem.

National Bird: Stripe-headed tanager (spyndalis zena) ("reina mora") National Flower: Puerto Rican hibiscus (Thespesia grandiflora; Maga grandiflora; Montezuma) ("flor de maga") National Symbol: While the coqui -a tiny frog found everywhere in the island- is only an "unofficial national symbol", its image figures prominently in Puerto Rican culture and heritage. Interesting Fact: When Puerto Ricans want to express their nationality, they say: Soy de aquí como el coquí (I'm as Puerto Rican as a coquí). Motto: Joannes Est Nomen Eius (John is his name) Tourism Motto: Puerto Rico lo hace mejor! (Puerto Rico does it better!)

Source: http://welcome.topuertorico.org