Identification

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island that consists of 3,515 square miles. The highest point is the Cerro de Punto, in the Cordillera Central mountain range. The lowest point on the island is the coastline, on which there are many delightful beaches. The capital city, San Juan, is the largest city on the island, followed by Bayamon and Ponce.

History

The island was colonized by Spain beginning in 1508 A.D. Before then, it was the home of the Arawak Indians, most of whom succombed to European diseases and died. Almost at once, beginning in 1510 A.D., the Spaniards brought African slaves to work on plantations that they called haciendas and in gold mines on the island. The Spaniards build two forts that tourists can still visit. El Morro Fortress guards the island from attacks by sea, build on the tip of the island with a commanding view of the ocean. The construction took from 1539 A.D. to 1787 A.D. to finish. The other fort, San Cristobal, guards the eastern gate of the capital city, San Juan. Its construction was finished in 1790 A.D.

Features

Puerto Rico boasts two bays that are lit at night by phosphorescent organisms in the water. Both La Parguera in south western Puerto Rico and Mosquito Bay near Vieques, attract tourists because of this unusual phenomenon. You can paddle out into the bay at night without needing any artificial light at all. Tourists also enjoy visiting the mountainous rain forest, El Yunque, the fabulous beaches, and the Rio Camuy River Cave Park near Arecibo. There, an underground river meanders through a series of natural limestone caves. Trolleys, hiking trails and trams are available to take tourists to see the best views in this park.

Benefits

After you visit Rio Camuy River Cave Park, go to Arecibo itself. There you can visit the headquarters of NASA's Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence at the Arecibo Ionosphere Observatory where there is a large radio telescope.

Potential

Don't miss the restored Hacienda Buena Vista, an historic plantation with a coffee mill and a grain mill from the 1800s that are powered by a waterfall. Puerto Rico is also home to the most significant art museum of the Caribbean, the Ponce Art Museum. During your trip, you can also tour the Bacardi Rum Distillery which is near San Juan.