Puerto Rico is an island teeming with
beauty and vitality.Puerto Rico is the smallest of the Greater Antilles lying east of the Dominican
Republic.
Some of it is Spanish, some Indian, some African and
some… something else. But somehow it all blends together into a culture that
you will find fascinating and one-of-kind.
The island of Puerto Rico is almost rectangular in shape, and is the smallest and the most
eastern island of the Greater Antilles . Its coasts measures approximately 580
km, and if the adjacent islands Vieques and Culebra are included the coast
measures approximately 700 km. To the north and south seas capes measure 8.525 m
for the Grave of Puerto Rico and 5.000 m for the Grave of Tanner. In addition to
the principal island, the Commonwealth includes: Vieques, Culebra, Culebrita,
Palomino (known by some by the Spanish Virgin Islands), Mona, Monito and various
others isolated islands.
Puerto Rico enjoys a mild,
tropical marine climate with little seasonal temperature variation. The terrain
is comprised mostly of mountains with a coastal belt to the north, mountains
also on the west coast and sandy beaches along most coastal areas. Natural
resources include some copper and nickel plus the potential for onshore and
offshore oil.
Whether you're dreaming about spectacular surfing waves, a challenging golf
course, or the perfect sunbathing beach, Puerto Rico offers the active traveller
a tremendous array of opportunities.
Deep oceans waters fringe Puerto Rico. The Mona
Passage, which separates the island from Hispaniola to the west, is about 75
miles (120 km) wide and more that 1,000 meters deep. Off the
northern coast is the 8,500 meters deep Puerto Rico Trench, and to
the south the sea bottom descends to the 5,000 meters deep
Venezuelan Basin of the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico's Caribbean National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the
US National Parks service. "El
Yunque", as it is known, is home to many species of birds including the
Puerto Rican Parrot, one of the world's rarest birds.In addition, two small islands,
Culebra and Vieques lie off the east coast,
and the tiny island of Mona to the west.
For the family on vacation, honeymoon couple, tour
group, or corporate visitor, the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico
offers miles of uncrowded soft golden and white sand beaches; quiet
surroundings; beautiful mountain lakes; affordable lodging; a large variety of
restaurants; convenient shopping and recreation; Old Spanish charm, culture, and
architecture; and beautiful unspoiled mountain scenery.