Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

18 (1999)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 72, FM 17, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios [time series]

2.7 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

modern system, integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability domestic: digital telephone system; cellular telephone service international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable to US

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

1.196 million (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

171,000 (1995)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

18 (plus three stations of the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

1.021 million (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas; livestock products, chickens

Budget [time series]

revenues: $6.7 billion expenditures: $9.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Debt - external [time series]

$NA

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income. Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Prospects for 2000 are good, assuming continued strength in the tourism and construction sectors and continuation of the US boom.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

16.521 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

17.765 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 98.06% hydro: 1.94% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

US currency is used

Exports [time series]

$34.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities [time series]

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment

Exports - partners [time series]

US 88% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $38.1 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 45% services: 54% (1999 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $9,800 (1999 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.2% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$25.3 billion (c.i.f., 1999)

Imports - commodities [time series]

chemicals, machinery and equipment, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products

Imports - partners [time series]

US 60% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products; tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.2% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.3 million (1996)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

13% (FY97/98 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 9,104 sq km land: 8,959 sq km water: 145 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Climate [time series]

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Coastline [time series]

501 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Geography - note [time series]

important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

Irrigated land [time series]

390 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 26% forests and woodland: 16% other: 49% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Natural resources [time series]

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains, with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (commonwealth associated with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco

Capital [time series]

San Juan

Constitution [time series]

ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico conventional short form: Puerto Rico

Data code [time series]

RQ

Dependency status [time series]

commonwealth associated with the US

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON of the US (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor Pedro ROSSELLO (since 2 January 1993) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000) election results: Pedro ROSSELLO reelected governor; percent of vote - 51.1%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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; design based on the US flag

Government type [time series]

commonwealth

Independence [time series]

none (commonwealth associated with the US)

International organization participation [time series]

Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Superior Courts, justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Municipal Courts, justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate

Legal system [time series]

based on Spanish civil code

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (28 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (54 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 19, PPD 8, PIP 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 16, PIP 1 note: Puerto Rico elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1 (Carlos Romero BARCELO)

National holiday [time series]

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Democratic Party [William MIRANDA]; National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Luis FERRE]; New Progressive Party or PNP [Pedro ROSSELLO]; Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Anibal ACEVIDA Vila]; Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Armed Forces for National Liberation or FALN; Armed Forces of Popular Resistance; Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Background [time series]

Discovered by Columbus in 1493, the island was ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held in 1967 and 1993, voters chose to retain commonwealth status.

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

paramilitary National Guard, Police Force

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 24% (male 480,100; female 457,684) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,234,065; female 1,336,848) 65 years and over: 10% (male 174,383; female 232,718) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.47 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish, English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.55 years male: 71.05 years female: 80.3 years (2000 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 90% female: 88% (1980 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens) adjective: Puerto Rican

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

3,915,798 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.56% (2000 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.9 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

none [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Airports [time series]

30 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 21 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (1999 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 14,400 km paved: 14,400 km unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,513 GRT/14,976 DWT ships by type: roll-on/roll-off 1 (1999 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

Railways [time series]

total: 96 km narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for hauling sugarcane; no passenger service