HISTORY & CULTURE

When Christopher Columbus stepped ashore in Aguada (or Aguadilla; both towns claim the honor) in 1493 he encountered a flourishing Taíno culture. Within decades the Indians disappeared, but not before leaving their mark on the character that was to become a Puerto Rican. African slaves replaced the Indians as laborers, and their traditions also fused into the cultural mix forged by more than four centuries of Spanish dominance.

The symbol of the Institute of Puerto Rico Culture depicts these three influences: Indian, African and Spanish. 

Puerto Rico Today

Use the interactive map below to learn more about modern-day Puerto Rico.  

View San Juan Metro: PuertoRicoDayTrips in a larger map

What is Puerto Rico?

It is an island teeming with beauty and vitality. Some of it is Spanish, some Indian, some African and some... others. But somehow it all blends together into a culture that you will find fascinating and one-of-kind.  Watch this video "Puerto Rico - La Isla del Encanto" (The Enchanted Island) hosted by Compania de Turismo de Puerto Rico.

If you want to Discover the Musical Heritage of Puerto Rico visit this website www.puertoritmo.com/index.html or by a click on the picture.  It will bring you to a new website called Puertoritmo.com.  You can use the website in English or Spanish.  Enjoy!!!

Click to hear the Coqui sing!

Puerto Rico's National Anthem

To hear the anthem, click on this link:  Borinquena.mp3 (1,5 MB)

La Borinqueña

La tierra de Borinquén
Donde he nacido yo,
Es un jardín florido
de mágico fulgor 
Un cielo siempre nítido
le sirve de dosel
y dan arrullos plácidos
las olas a sus pies.  
Cuando sus playas llegó Colón;
Exclamó lleno de admiración;
"Oh!, oh!, oh!, 
Esta es la linda
tierra que busco yo"  
Es Borinquén la hija,
la hija del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol,
del mar y el sol.

Click for facts on townships.