Puerto+Rico

===__Puerto Rico__ __.__ ===

**Some facts:**
Puerto Rico is a country in the Mexico gulf. Puerto Rico is close related to USA. You can see that the flag of Puerto Rico is almost the same as the flag of USA. (Stars and stripes) Puerto Rico belongs to USA, but it’s not one of the states. It have been many discussions about this, and I think that in the future it will be a state of USA. Puerto Rico have been a colony of USA sins 1896. Puerto Rico means Delicious harbor in Spanish. Some information about the country:

The same way of guvernement as USA. From Wikipedia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvOLT7fjQ3Q]]
 * Capital:** San Juan.(largest city)
 * Population:** 3.994 257
 * C****urrently**: us dollar.
 * Official language:** Spanish and English. ¨
 * Governor**: Luis Burset Fortunõ
 * AREA: 9,104km2**
 * ~ Økonomiske nøkkeltall ||~ Verdi ||~ % av BNP ||~ År, kilde ||
 * BNP || 67,9 mrd US$ ||  || 2006, //Verdensbanken// ||
 * BNP || 86,5 mrd US$ ||  || 2006, //Commerce Dept,Bureau of Economic Analysis, US// ||
 * BNP (vekst) || 2,10 % ||  || 2005, //UNDP Database// ||
 * Konsumpriser || 11,0 % ||  || 2004, //UNDP Database// ||
 * Arbeidsløshet 2004 || 11,0 % ||  || 2004, //UN Statistics// ||
 * Arbeidsløshet 2006 || 10,4% ||  || 2006, //Labor Dept, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US// ||
 * Handelsbalanse ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Betalingsbalanse ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Utviklingshjelp || 0,05 mrd US$ ||  || 2005, //UNDP Database// ||
 * BNP per innb || 21.970 US$ ||  || 2005, //UNDP Database// ||

PUERTO RICO AND IT’S HISTORY Before the Spaniards arrived in the island of Columbus' second expedition in November 1493, it was inhabited by peaceful Arawak Indians. They called the island for Borinquen. Juan Ponce de Leon founded a colony on the island in 1508, and it was set up gold mines, and later sugar plantations with African slaves as labor. Because of constant attacks from British and French pirates was shipment port San Juan equipped with a large fortress. Puerto Rico was never a big colony of Spain, but a haven for many loyalists who fled the South American colonies as these were independent in the early 1800s. Since 1830 Puerto Rico invested in plantation operations, like sugar, coffee and tobacco for the U.S. market. Puerto Rico was among the very last Spanish possessions in America. When U.S. troops invaded the island during the Spanish-American War (1898-99), these were welcomed as it meant that the Spanish troops surrendered. But instead Puerto Rico was an American colony. The Americans took over much of the island's economy and allow the agriculture of the almost exclusively sugar production for the U.S. market. The unemployment rose dramatically, so the island had to import food from the United States. Since 1917 the Puerto Rican people have had American citizenship. In the 1930s Puerto Rican people demanded independence from America. Since 1952 the Puerto Rico had the status as "free associated state with the United States." This means that the island is subject to U.S. law and every four years, select a representative to Congress in Washington who does not have voting rights. Puerto Rico selects their own governor every fourth year. __ Religion __ The constitution guaranties freedom for all denominations. The major religions are: Catholic (85%), Protestants ( 8%), non religious (2.3%), and others (3%). Churches of many denominations can be found throughout the island. Some islanders ascribe to spiritualism and others practice Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean belief system brought to Puerto Rico from Cuba. There is also a small Jewish community. __ Culture __ Puerto Ricans look at theomselves as Americans, but they are very proud of their island and their culture! Puerto Rican food is pretty much a like Spanish, Mexican and Cuban food. But it’s also a very good mix of all these flavors and also spice like coriander, papaya, cacao, nisperio, apio, plantains and yampee. Locals call their kitchen ‘cocina criolla’. Rum is their national drink, and you can by it in almost nuances. Puerto Rico is the leading producer in the world of rum, and 80% of the rum consume in the USA is from the island. Puerto Ricans are known for their warm hospitality, and are often considered very friendly and expressive to strangers. Greetings are often cordial and genuine. When people are first introduced, a handshake is usual, however, close friends and family members always greet you hello or goodbye with a kiss on the cheek or a combination hug and kiss. This happens between female friends and between men and women, but not between male friends. __ Some famous people from Puerto Rico __ Joaquin Phoenix, he has played in many great movies like; Gladiator and Walk the Line.

Juaquin Phoenix
=Ricky Martin= = =

Daddy Yankee