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'Isla Borinquena' ...1493 to the Present |
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The island 'Borinquen' was populated by the Taino Indians until the early 1500's. ( History of Vieques Island describes the pre Taino Indians and archeological digs.) Columbus discovered the island on his second voyage in 1493 and named it San Juan. No attempt at settlement was made until Juan Ponce de Leon (stationed in Santo Domingo) was given a charter by the King of Spain to colonize the island of San Juan (150 cool .
Wonderful information about Puerto Rico in the 1500's.
About the Taino Indians.
Memory and description of the island of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Compiled by the order of His Majesty, King Philip the Second. In the year 1582...........
Chapter Two
The discoverer and conqueror of this island was Juan Ponce de Leon, a citizen of the city of San Servas del Campo. He conquered it by himself, following the orders of the Admiral don Diego de Colon, the son of the first discoverer of the Indies (Christopher Columbus). To do this he sailed from the port of Xiguey, the old, a place they used to call Salvaleon, in the island of Santo Domingo. The first time that he came he landed on the tip of this island that they call Aguada. It is on the northern part. He took some Indians with whom he had made acquaintance and he found gold which he brought back as a sample to the Admiral. He did not conquer it then but negotiated with the Admiral and then returned to conquer and populate it. He landed on the southern tip of the island, and he founded a city in the port of Guanica. Don Cristobal Sotomayor, from Galicia, was lieutenant of this outpost. And from here they began the conquest of this island. This was in the year 1508. ..............
The terms of the charter were such that Ponce de Leon and a group of men were each alloted 100 indians to enslave, materials to house and feed themselves and 'their' indians, and went to the west coast of 'San Juan' (the island of Puerto Rico) in a convoy of three boats, with horses. They were allowed one year with no tax on anything they could exploit and they could grab as much land as they desired. In turn they were obligated to convert their indians to Cristianity.
They eventually worked their way east by horseback until the reached the mangrove swamps ( Caparra) where they established the first fort. They soon moved from Caparra to what is now Old San Juan, due to the mosquito infestations from the surrounding swamps.
The capital city became known as San Juan, as the name of the island changed to Puerto Rico (Rich Port). San Germán was the second city to be founded, originally where Mayaguez sits now, it moved south into the hills to better protect itself from indian attacks.
Mining gold was the first economy of Puerto Rico and the gold was sent to Spain. The Golden Years of the 'gold rush' in Puerto Rico ended with the end of the gold.
Old San Juan is the second oldest Spanish colonial city in the New World and an excellent example of Spanish colonial architecture; most of which, has been beautifully restored. The lovely blue cobblestones paving the streets were brought as ballast in the ships. The cities of Ponce and Mayaguez were established in the late 1700's.
Relive the history of Old San Juan with a guided walking tour.
As settlement of Puerto Rico progressed, the native Indians tried to regain their island but were overpowered by the Spanish' Conquistadores'. The Indians tried several times to rid their island of the 'Spanish Infestation' but were outnumbered, outgunned and unsuccesful. The Indians not killed in battle were enslaved, most died off from disease and maltreatment. Many of the Indian women survived and eventually populated the interior of Puerto Rico along with the Spanish sailors who had brought no women with them.
For several hundred years Puerto Rico was a small farm economy. After the end of the gold, Spain ignored Puerto Rico and the routes to the west were changed to the north, missing Puerto Rico. This dramatic loss of economy created a situation in which, even the governor, was forced into smuggling and piracy.
Breeding and exporting horses became a major source of the export economy of Puerto Rico, after the gold ran out.. The horses of Mexico came from Puerto Rico. The first Paso Fino was bred in Puerto Rico. "Dulce Sueño" sired 75 horses, the stock of Paso Fino horses. Today paso fino horse breeding and competing are a serious 'hobby', along with racing throuroughbreds. Horses are still an integral part of Puerto Rico and on any Sunday drive in the mountains or along the coast you will encounter local people out on their horses.
Paso Fino competitions attracts horses from around the world, as well as throuroughbreds who come to race at the El Comandante Race Track.
In the early 1800's the King of Spain granted a 'Cedula de Gracia' to increase the European population of Puerto Rico by awarding land grants to immigrants from South American colonies, Spain and other European countries. Thus began the century of change from small farms to large coffee plantations, then sugar production came into supremacy. African slaves were imported for the larger plantations.
Leaders of the Puerto Rican abolitionist movement, waged a long struggle to end slavery on the island. On March 22, 1873, the Spanish National Assembly finally abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. The owners were compensated with 35 million pesetas per slave, and slaves were required to continue working for three more years.
Visit Puerto Ricos' Panoramic Roads with a rental car.
What is now Old San Juan is the second oldest European city in the new world. Many of the names of the towns and municipalities of Puerto Rico are derived from the Taino names of the Indian Chiefs who ruled in that area. Caguas, Morovis and Guajataca are all Taino names.
During the 'Spanish-American War' US troops invaded Puerto Rico at Guanica, July 25, 1898 to fight the Spanish Troops stationed there. No Puerto Ricans were killed; however, 50 Spanish and 50 US troops died in subsequent battles. The war ended before any heavy fighting began in Puerto Rico. The local populace had already risen in arms against the Spanish in 1868 and, in general, did not oppose the American soldiers, although the government in San Juan had declared loyalty to Spain. At the termination of the 'Spanish-American War' , the US demanded Puerto Rico as 'war payment' from Spain in the 'Treaty of Paris'. In 1917 all Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship. A succesion of governors were appointed to Puerto Rico from Washington.
Munoz Marin was the first elected governor (194 cool and Puerto Rico developed its' own constitution under 'Commonwealth' status. Puerto Rico was offered independence but felt it could not handle it well and chose to remain a commonwealth. At present the independence party garners less than 5% of the vote, the statehood and commonwealth parties divide the rest. Puerto Rican residents do not pay federal income tax nor vote in presidential elections but do pay social security, receive federal welfare and serve in the USA armed forces.
Puerto Rico's economy is presently based on the many factories established through tax incentives. Many of these are no longer in effect. Tourism has accounted for only 7% of the economy, but now seeks to increase. 90% of all food is imported to the island. The island is quite heavily populated, 3.9 million people or more than a thousand per square mile.
The struggle between maintaining and increasing the forests and adding needed housing is one of great conflict. Only 34% of the island is forested and 82% of those forests are in private hands, subject to the whim of the owners. Puerto Rico has a terrific potential as an Eco-tourist destination but it remains to be seen if this valuable resource will be recognized in time to protect it. 75% of the mangrove forest has already been destroyed on mainland Puerto Rico, but not on the island of Vieques. The local legislature has created a new law for protection and expansion of the forests. Only 6% of the island is presently protected forest.
The Caribbean National Forest, known as 'El Yunque Rain Forest' is a US Forest Service protected forest, the most visited Eco-tourist attraction in Puerto Rico. There are 5 other mountain forest reserves and over 20 lowland reserves. The unique karst region of the North West is one of few such places in the world. There are 189 listed caves and the worlds third largest underground river flows through the Camuy Cave System. The small islands and cays around Puerto Rico host many fabulous beaches, excellent snorkeling and water sports such as sailing and kayaking.
The Department of Natural Resources of Puerto Rico patrols the waters of and surrounding Puerto Rico. 'DRNA' and they have the responsibility of protecting the environement.
Vieques Island has the largest wildlife refuge in the Caribbean (and exquisitely beautiful beaches) . US Fish & Wildlife manages it, along with several reserves in Culebra and elsewhere in Puerto Rico. US Fish & Wildlife administers the recovery program for the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot.
Several dozen pleasant guest houses around the island cater to the Eco-tourist. Renting a car and visiting the natural wonders of Puerto Rico is both a pleasant and easy way to enjoy your vacation. Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide but is so rich in diverse terrain that it would require a few weeks of exploration to really begin to enjoy it all.
Five pages of Panoramic Road trips show the diversity of Puerto Rican terrain and culture.
San Juan is where the night life is. Allthough there are scattered spots around the island, anyone interested in night life has to go to San Juan.
There is a link to some interesting books about Puerto Rico on the links page.
All about the unique El Yunque rainforest.
The history of one of Puerto Ricos' small, populated, islands. Vieques History. Includes the history of horses in Puerto Rico.
Relive the history of Old San Juan with a guided walking tour.
A website about the Taino Indians.
Here is a government website that offers a list ( and links) to the historic sites in Puerto Rico. Historic Sites.
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The Citizens’ Educational Foundation – US (CEF), is pleased to announce the launching of a new initiative that provides another forum for the discussion of Puerto Rico Self-Determination:
“Our goal with “Let Puerto Rico Decide.org”, is to provide the public with an action-oriented site that would permit them to learn about the issue of Puerto Rico self determination and then be able to actually do something about it,” said CEF Executive Director, Jose E. Aponte. Mr. Aponte also added that, “With this website, the public will not only be able to support Puerto Rican self-determination by contacting their members of Congress, as well as President Bush and the campaign of Senator Kerry, but they will also be able to remain active on this issue by participating in the new CEF web log called Blog Puerto Rico.”
 ootz · Sat Jul 22, 2006 @ 11:09am · 0 Comments |
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