Puerto Rico

Hispanic, Afro-Caribbean and North American influences meld in Puerto Rico, a self-governing commonwealth that belongs to the United States.

The subtropical Caribbean territory is urbanised, industrialised and relatively prosperous.

The US invaded and occupied Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War of 1898, ending centuries of rule from Spain. The US saw the island as a strategic asset and ran it as a colonial protectorate.

Spanish-built defences survey the ocean at Old San Juan

Under American administration Puerto Rico saw growth and development. But nationalist sentiment sometimes spilled over into violence, notably in the 1930s and 1940s. Nationalists staged an armed attack in the US Congress in 1954.

A series of bombings and killings in the 1970s and 1980s were blamed on a pro-independence group, the Macheteros, or Cane Cutters. The group's fugitive leader was killed by federal agents in 2005.

Puerto Rican voters, who elect a governor for the island, have tended to favour parties that support the union with the US. Puerto Ricans do not pay US income tax, and the island receives federal funds.

There is an established cycle of migration between Puerto Rico and the US; hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have lived and worked in New York and other cities.

The once substantial US military presence has been scaled down with the closures of a major naval base and a bombing range. Rancour over the latter grew after a civilian employee was killed by a stray bomb.

Explorer Christopher Columbus claimed Puerto Rico for Spain in 1493, heralding an influx of Spanish settlers. The newcomers, and the diseases they brought with them, decimated the territory's Taino indian population.

The main settlement, San Juan, became an important Spanish outpost. Slaves were brought to the island in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Puerto Rico's landscape is varied, and includes rainforests in the north-east. The territory is prone to hurricanes.

Tourism is an important money-earner; the island receives up to two million visitors each year and is a port-of-call for cruise liners.

Territory: Puerto Rico Status: Self-governing territory belonging to the USAFull name: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Population: 3.9 million (via UN, 2006) Capital: San Juan Area: 8,959 sq km (3,459 sq miles) Major languages: Spanish, English (both official) Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 71 years (men) 80 years (women) Monetary unit: US dollar Main exports: Chemicals, foodstuffs, machinery GNI per capita: $10,950 (World Bank, 2001) Internet domain: .pr International dialling code: +1787

Head of state: President Barack Obama

Governor: Luis Guillermo Fortuno

Luis Fortuno of the New Progressive Party began his term in January 2009, and is the ninth governor of Puerto Rico. His party, which favours full integration of Puerto Rico as the 51st US state, also won the November 2008 elections to Puerto Rico's legislative assembly.

He succeeded Anibal Acevedo Vila of the Popular Democratic Party, who served from 2004-2008. Mr Acevedo Vila had initially favoured maintaining Puerto Rico's commonwealth status, but later called on the USA to let it decide its own future.

Puerto Ricans elect their governor for a four-year term. The constitution, modelled on that of the US, provides for a Senate and House of Representatives. However, voters in a referendum in 2005 backed the idea of replacing the bodies with a one-house legislature.

Residents of Puerto Rico cannot vote in US presidential elections. But they do elect a non-voting delegate to the US Congress.

Since taking office, Mr Fortuno has launched a major programme of public spending cuts. In May 2009 tens of thousands of workers marched through the streets of San Juan in protest at possible major layoffs.

Broadcasting is regulated by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Home-grown comedies, talk shows and Spanish-language soaps are staple fare on local TV stations. The multichannel offerings of cable TV are widely available.

News and talk and Spanish-language pop music are among the most popular radio formats.

The press

Television

Radio

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Obama offers Puerto Rico support

14 June 2011 Last updated at 22:32 GMT President Obama: "We're giving Puerto Ricans the tools they need to build their own future"

US President Barack Obama has made a rare visit to Puerto Rico, marking the first official trip to the island by a sitting US president since 1961.

He backed a referendum on the island's status, saying he would support any choice the Puerto Rican people made.

The 3.7 million residents of the US Caribbean territory are US citizens but cannot vote for the president.

The visit is being seen by some as an indirect bid for Puerto Rican votes in the swing state of Florida in 2012.

Mr Obama attended a Democratic National Committee event during his visit.

The president last visited the island in 2008 during his campaign for the Democratic nomination, promising to return if elected president.

"Although my hair is a little greyer than during my first visit, I am glad to be able to keep that promise to the people of Puerto Rico," Mr Obama said as he greeted a crowd gathered in an aircraft hanger.

As well as a behind-closed-doors Democratic fundraiser, Mr Obama met Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday to discuss the political status of the territory.

In brief remarks before the meeting, Mr Obama told the crowd that when Puerto Rico had made a "clear decision" on their future political status, "my administration will stand by you".

Continue reading the main story Acquired by the US from Spain in 1898 after the Spanish-American WarResidents are US citizens subject to federal law, and serve in the US militaryResidents vote in political party presidential primary elections but not in the general electionRepresented in the US House by a commissioner who lacks full voting rightsMore ethnic Puerto Ricans live in the US (4.6 million) than in the territory (3.7 million)

Sources: Congressional Research Service, Pew Hispanic Center report

The island territory has voted three times - in 1967, 1993 and 1998 - not to seek statehood or independence.

The Obama administration has asked Puerto Rico to hold two referendums, the first on whether the territory should be independent or part of the US.

A second referendum would then ask Puerto Ricans if they would prefer the island to be independent, a US state, a free association or a commonwealth.

Targeting voters

On Tuesday, Mr Obama also spoke briefly about the impact the economic crisis had on Puerto Rico, saying Puerto Ricans and Americans on the mainland shared the same concerns about the economy.

The BBC's Julian Miglierini in San Juan says many people there believe the visit is aimed at courting mainland America's Puerto Rican electorate - and Hispanic voters in general - as they could hold the key to Mr Obama's re-election in 2012.

The president has called for broad reform of the US immigration system, an issue affecting many Hispanics with ties to the 11 million US illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, roughly 20 pro-independence demonstrators held an all-night vigil in San Juan ahead of the president's visit, calling for the release of three Puerto Rican nationalists imprisoned in the US.

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