Flag Description

five equal horizontal bands of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bears a large, white, five-pointed star in the center; the white star symbolizes Puerto Rico; the three sides of the triangle signify the executive, legislative and judicial parts of the government; blue stands for the sky and the coastal waters; red symbolizes the blood shed by warriors, while white represents liberty, victory, and peace

Background:Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood.

Total Area: 13,790 sq km

Land Area:8,870 sq km

Water Area:4,921 sq km

Land Boundries Total:

Border Countries:

Coastline:501 km

Lowest Point:Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Population:3,620,897 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:-0.65% (2014 est.)

Religion:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Literacy(%):0.903

Literacy(%) Male:0.897

Literacy(%) Female:90.9% (2011 est.)

Independence Day:none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

National Holiday:US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

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