Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a small island about 100x35 miles. It was acquired by the USA in the [Spanish American War]?. Its local government is based on a constitution adopted in 1952 after approval by the US Congress which maintains ultimate sovreignty. It is the smallest and easternmost of the [Greater Antilles]? which also includes Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.

The economic conditions in Puerto Rico have improved dramatically since the Great Depression due to external investment in capital intensive industry such as petrochemicals and computers. Once the beneficiary of special tax treatment from the US Internal Revenue service, today local industries must compete with those in more economically depressed parts of the world where wages are not subject to US Minimum Wage legislation.

The people of Puerto Rico have many diverse national origins. The most obvious are those descended from the families established by the colonizing Spaniards with Taino and Negro strains, while Irish and Russian sailors, Corsican farmers, and North American business managers have also contributed to the culture.

From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Not Wikified.

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