View source for Geography of Puerto Rico

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox islands
| name               = Puerto Rico
| image_name         = {{multiple image
  | total_width              = 305
  | border                   = infobox
  | perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
  | caption_align            = center
  | image1                 = ISS-55 Puerto Rico, United States island territory.jpg
  | caption1                 = [[Puerto Rico]]
  | image2                   = Vieques from air.jpg
  | caption2                 = [[Vieques, Puerto Rico |Vieques]]
  | image3                   = Culebra Island, Puerto Rico, Sentinel 2.jpg
  | caption3                = [[Culebra, Puerto Rico |Culebra]]
  | image4                   = MONA Island LandSat8 OLI.jpg
  | caption4                = [[Isla de Mona |Mona]] and [[Monito Island |Monito]]
  | image5                 = ISS016-E-35466 - View of Puerto Rico.jpg
  | caption5                = [[Icacos Cay |Icacos]] and [[Palominos Island |Palominos]]
  | image7                   = Isla Caja de Muertos, Ponce Puerto Rico, mirando hacia el Sureste (DSC03707).jpg
  | caption7                 = [[Caja de Muertos Island |Caja de Muertos]]
  | image8  = Desecheo FWS.jpg 
  | caption8                 = [[Desecheo Island|Desecheo]]}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_size         = 300
| map_image          = Puerto Rico-CIA WFB Map (2024).png
| map_caption        = [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|Map of Puerto Rico]]
| map_size           = 300
| native_name        = ''Borinquén'' ([[Taíno language|Taino]])
| nickname           = ''Isla del Encanto'' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]])<br/>(''Island of Enchantment'')
| location           = [[Caribbean Sea]]
| pushpin_map        = Puerto Rico#Lesser Antilles#Caribbean# North America#World
| pushpin_label      = 
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{Coord|18|15|N|66|30|W|scale:1000000|display=inline}}
| archipelago        = [[Greater Antilles]]
| total_islands      = 
| major_islands      = [[Spanish Virgin Islands]] of [[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]] and [[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]]<br/>[[Isla de Mona|Mona]]<br/> [[Desecheo Island|Desecheo]]<br/> [[Caja de Muertos Island|Caja de Muertos]]
| area_sqmi          = 
| length_km          = 177
| width_km           = 65
| coastline_km       = 501
| highest_mount      = [[Cerro de Punta]]
| elevation_m        = 1338
| country            = United States
| country_admin_divisions_title = Territory
| country_admin_divisions = [[Puerto Rico]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = 
| country_admin_divisions_1 = 
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = 
| country_admin_divisions_2 = 
| country_largest_city = [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]]
| country_largest_city_population = 342,259
| population         = 3,205,691
| population_as_of   = 2023
| density_km2        = 361.4
| ethnic_groups      = 
| additional_info    = 
| image_map          = 
| image_map_caption  = 
| rank               = [[List of islands of the United States by area|3rd]] (United States)<br/>[[List of Caribbean islands by area#Islands {{convert|1,000|km2|sqmi|abbr=}}|4th]] (Caribbean)<br/>[[List of islands by area#Islands 100,000 km2 (38,600 sq mi) and greater |29th]] (Americas)<br/>[[List of islands by area#Islands 5,000–10,000 km2 (1,900–3,900 sq mi)|81st]] (World)<br/>[[List of countries and dependencies by area#Countries and dependencies by area|174th]] (Countries)
| area_km2           = 8868
| area_footnotes     = <br/>(Land area of main island){{NoteTag|name=Area|The area of the island of Puerto Rico, the main island of the archipelago of the same name, is 5,325 m² (13,792 km²). The [[land]] and [[Internal waters|internal costal water]] area of the island is 3,513 m² (9,100 km²), with land covering 3,424 m² (8,868 km²) and internal costal waters 89 m² (232 km²). The [[Territorial waters#Territorial sea| territorial sea]] of the island stretches for 1,812 m² (4,692 km²).<ref name= "Geography">{{Cite web |url= https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2010/geo/state-area.html |title= State Area Measurements and Internal Point Coordinates |website= United States Census Bureau |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> Including the islands of Vieques with a land area of 51 m² (132 km²),<ref name= "Geography23">{{Cite web |url= https://data.census.gov/profile/Vieques_Municipio,_Puerto_Rico?g=050XX00US72147 |title= Vieques Municipio, Puerto Rico |website= US Census Bureau |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> Mona with 22 m² (56 km²),<ref name= "Geography24">{{Cite web |url= https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/87589/mona-island |title= Mona Island |website= Earth Observatory |date= February 28, 2016 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> Culebra with 12 m² (31 km²),<ref name= "Geography25">{{Cite web |url= https://data.census.gov/profile/Culebra_Municipio,_Puerto_Rico?g=050XX00US72049 |title= Culebra Municipio, Puerto Rico |website= US Census Bureau |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> Caja de Muertos with 0.62 m² (1.62 km²),<ref name= "Geography26">{{Cite web |url= https://www.drna.pr.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PlanManejoRNICM_septiembre2010.pdf |title= Plan de Manejo Reserva Natural Isla Caja de Muertos |website= Gobierno de Puerto Rico: Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> and Desecheo with 0.56 m² (1.45 km²),<ref name= "Geography27">{{Cite web |url= https://www.fws.gov/refuge/desecheo/about-us |title= Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge |website= U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref> the entire archipelago of Puerto Rico has a land area of at least 3,510 m² (9,090 km²). The [[Exclusive economic zone#United States |exclusive economic zone]] of the archipelago covers 68,605 m² (177,327 km²).<ref name= "Geography22">{{Cite web |url= http://www.seaaroundus.org/data/#/eez/630?chart=catch-chart&dimension=taxon&measure=tonnage&limit=10 |title= Catches by Taxon in the waters of Puerto Rico (USA) |website= Sea Around Us |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>}}
| length_footnotes   = {{NoteTag|name=100x35}}
| pushpin_map_width  = 300
| module             = {{Infobox place symbols
| embedded = Yes
| island = Yes
| country  = Puerto Rico
| amphibian = [[Common coquí |Coquí]]{{NoteTag|name=coqui| The [[Common coquí |Coquí]] is the animal most popularly recognized as a national symbol of Puerto Rico. It is a [[de facto]] national symbol of Puerto Rico. }}<ref name= "Prcoqui">{{Cite web |url= https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/coqui-fossil-from-puerto-rico-is-oldest-caribbean-frog/ |title= Coquí fossil from Puerto Rico takes title of oldest Caribbean frog |website= University of Florida: Florida Museum of Natural History |date= April 7, 2020 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prcoqui1">{{Cite web |url= https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/articles/heres-why-the-coqui-frog-is-the-symbol-of-puerto-rico |title= Here's Why The Coquí Frog is the Symbol of Puerto Rico |website= The Culture Trip |date= March 5, 2018 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prcoqui22">{{Cite web |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357842421 |title= Natural History of Model Organisms: The big potential of the small frog Eleutherodactylus coqui |website= ResearchGate |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prcoqui2">{{Cite web |url= https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2006/10/06/la-ranita-mas-querida/31171931007/|title= La ranita más querida |website= Ocala|access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prcoqui3">{{Cite web |url= https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/mundo/coqui-un-anfibio-simbolo-nacional-409771 |title= Coquí, un anfibio símbolo nacional |website= Panama América |date= October 9, 2008 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
| bird     = [[Puerto Rican amazon |Iguaca]]{{NoteTag|name=Iguaca| The [[Puerto Rican amazon |Iguaca]] or Puerto Rican parrot is the [[de facto]] national bird of Puerto Rico, as it is the most recognized native bird of Puerto Rico. No bird has been officially declared by law. However, the [[Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico |legislative assembly of Puerto Rico]] approved the [[Puerto Rican tody]] as the official national bird of the archipelago in 2022. The proposal is pending on the [[Binomial nomenclature |scientific renaming]] of the bird as ''Todus borinquensis'' by the [[International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature]] (ICZN).}}<ref name= "Prparrot">{{Cite web |url= https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd699772.pdf |title= Cotorra Puertorriqueña |website= U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prtody">{{Cite web |url= https://pluralpolicy.com/app/legislative-tracking/bill/details/state-pr-2021_2024-pc518/976051 |title= Proyecto de la Cámara 518 (P. de la C. 518) |website= Public Policy |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
| flower   = [[Thespesia grandiflora |Maga]]{{NoteTag|name=maga| The [[Thespesia grandiflora |Maga]] is the official national flower of Puerto Rico.}}<ref name= "Prmaga">{{Cite web |url= https://www.lexjuris.com/lexlex/Leyes2019/lexl2019087.htm |title= Ley Núm. 87 del año 2019: Para adoptar la Flor de Maga como la flor símbolo del pueblo de Puerto Rico |website= Lex Juris |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
| tree     = [[Ceiba pentandra |Ceiba]]{{NoteTag|name=Ceiba| The [[Ceiba pentandra |Ceiba]] is the [[de facto]] national tree of Puerto Rico.}}<ref name= "Prceiba">{{Cite web |url= https://www.primerahora.com/noticias/puerto-rico/notas/la-ceiba-del-camino/ |title= La ceiba del camino |website= Primera Hora |date= September 5, 2017 |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref name= "Prceiba1">{{Cite web |url= https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ceiba-tree-blooms-in-vieques-puerto-rico |title= An Ancient Ceiba Tree Blooms Once Again After Puerto Rico's Devastating Storms |website= Atlas Obscura |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
| mammal   = [[West Indian manatee |Manatee]]{{NoteTag|name=manatee| The [[West Indian manatee |Manatee]] is the official national mammal of Puerto Rico.}}<ref name= "Prmanati">{{Cite web |url= https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/leyesreferencia/PDF/257-2011.pdf |title= Ley Núm. 257 de 2011: Ley del "Día de la Conservación del Manatí Caribeño en Puerto Rico" y para Designarlo como el "Mamífero Oficial de Puerto Rico"
|website= Gobierno de Puerto Rico: Oficina de Gerencia y Presupuesto |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
}}
}}

{{langnf|es|'''[[Puerto Rico]]'''{{NoteTag|Pronunciation:
* {{IPAc-en|lang|ˌ|p|ɔr|t|ə|_|ˈ|r|iː|k|oʊ|,_|ˌ|p|w|ɛər|t|ə|_|-|,_|-|t|oʊ|_|-}} {{respell|POR|tə|_|REE|koh|,_|PWAIR|tə|_-,_-|toh|_-}};
* {{IPA|es|ˈpweɾto ˈriko|lang}}, {{IPA|und|ˈpwelto ˈχiko, - ˈʀ̥iko|label=locally (in rural areas)}}.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9jLBAAAQBAJ&q=pwelto&pg=PT113 |title=Portuguese-Spanish Interfaces: Diachrony, synchrony, and contact |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing Company |author1=Amaral, Patrícia |author2=Ana Maria Carvalho |name-list-style=amp |year=2014 |location=Philadelphia |page=130 |isbn=978-90-272-5800-7}}</ref>
* {{langx|tnq|Borinquén}}}}|italic=no|rich port|paren=left}}; abbreviated '''PR'''),<ref name="CIA World Factbook - Puerto Rico">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/puerto-rico/ |title=CIA World Factbook – Puerto Rico |access-date=5 August 2019 |archive-date=5 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105163943/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/puerto-rico/ |url-status=live }}</ref> officially the '''Commonwealth of Puerto Rico''',{{NoteTag|{{langx|es|Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico|lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico|links=no}}}} is an [[Archipelago|archipelagic]] [[island]] [[Territories of the United States|U.S. territory]] comprised of the [[Eponym|eponymous]] main island of [[Puerto Rico]] and [[List of islands of Puerto Rico|142 smaller islands]], including [[Vieques, Puerto Rico|Vieques]], [[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]], and [[Isla de Mona|Mona]]. It is located between the [[Greater Antilles|Greater]] and [[Lesser Antilles]] in the northeastern [[Caribbean Sea]], east of [[Hispaniola]], west of [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]], north of [[Geography of Venezuela|Venezuela]], and south of the [[Puerto Rico Trench]].{{NoteTag|name=Distance|The main island of Puerto Rico is 113 [[Kilometre|km]] (61 [[nautical mile|nmi]]) east of [[Hispaniola]] from [[Punta Higüero Light |Punta Higüero]] in [[Puntas, Rincón, Puerto Rico|Puntas]], [[Rincón, Puerto Rico |Rincón]] to [[Cape Engaño (Dominican Republic) |Cabo Engaño]] in [[Punta Cana]], [[Dominican Republic]], 60 km (32 nmi) west of the [[United States Virgin Islands |U.S. Virgin Islands]] from Punta Puerca in [[Machos, Ceiba, Puerto Rico |Machos]], [[Ceiba, Puerto Rico |Ceiba]] to Mermaid’s Chair in [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands |Saint Thomas]], 705 km (380 nmi) north of [[Geography of Venezuela|Venezuela]] from Cabo Rojo in [[Llanos Costa, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico |Llanos Costa]], [[Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico |Cabo Rojo]] to [[Cape San Román |Cabo San Román]] in [[Paraguaná Peninsula | Paraguaná]], [[Falcón]], [[Venezuela]], and 120 km (65 nmi) south of the [[Puerto Rico Trench]] from [[Bajura, Isabela, Puerto Rico|Bajura]], [[Isabela, Puerto Rico |Isabela]] to the middle of the trench. As a whole, the archipelago of Puerto Rico is 58 [[Kilometre|km]] (31 [[nautical mile|nmi]]) east of Hispaniola from [[Monito Island |Monito]] to Cabo San Rafael in [[San Rafael del Yuma]], Dominican Republic, 15 km (8 nmi) west of the U.S. Virgin Islands from [[Culebrita Island |Culebrita]] in Culebra to [[Savana Island, U.S. Virgin Islands |Savana Island]] in Saint Thomas, 705 km (380 nmi) north of Venezuela from Cabo Rojo in Llanos Costa, Cabo Rojo to Cabo San Román in Paraguaná, Falcón, Venezuela, and 120 km (65 nmi) south of the Puerto Rico Trench from Bajura in Isabela to the middle of the trench.}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nautical Charts: Puerto Rico |url=https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/publications/coast-pilot/files/cp5/CPB5_C13_WEB.pdf |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)}}</ref> Measuring 177 km (110 [[Mile|mi]]; 96 nmi) in length and 65 km (40 mi; 35 nmi) in width{{NoteTag|name=100x35|Puerto Rico, the main island of the archipelago of the same name, is 177 kilometers long (110 [[Mile|statute miles]]; 96 [[nautical mile]]s) and 65 kilometers wide (40 statute miles; 35 nautical miles). Boricuas often refer to Puerto Rico as ''100x35'' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''100por35''), a direct reference to the island's size in nautical miles. Various Puerto Rican singers have used the term, including [[Farruko]] and [[Pedro Capó]] in their song ''Jíbaro'' (2021).}}<ref name="Geografía">{{Cite web |url=https://gis.pr.gov/Pages/Geografia_PR.aspx |title= Geografía de Puerto Rico |website= Sistemas de Información Geográfica |language=es |access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> with a land area of 8,868 [[Square kilometre|sq km]] (3,424 [[Square mile|sq mi]]),{{NoteTag|name=Area}}<ref name="Geography" /> the main island is the [[List of islands of the United States by area|3rd largest]] in the [[United States|U.S.]], [[List of Caribbean islands by area#Islands |4th]] in the [[Caribbean]], [[List of islands by area#Islands|29th]] in the [[Americas]], and [[List of islands by area#Islands 5,000–9,999 km2 (1,931–3,861 sq mi)|81st]] in the [[Earth|world]], making it the [[List of countries and dependencies by area#Countries and dependencies by area|174th largest]] country or  dependency by surface area. With 3.2 million [[Puerto Ricans|residents]], it is the [[List of islands of the United States by area|2nd largest]] in the U.S., [[List of Caribbean countries by population|4th]] in the Caribbean, [[List of islands by population#Islands ordered by population|4th]] in the [[Americas]], and [[List of islands by population#Population 1 million to 10 million|31st]] in the world, making it the [[List of countries and dependencies by population|136th largest]] country or dependency by population.   

{{CSS image crop
|Image = Atlantic continents at night by VIIRS.jpg
|bSize = 730
|cWidth = 260
|cHeight = 250
|oTop = 455
|oLeft = 0
|Location = 
|Description = Puerto Rico within the Caribbean as seen from [[Outer space |space]] at night, 2012
}}

== Overview ==
[[Geology|Geologically]] separated from the [[Greater Antilles]] island of [[Hispaniola]] by the [[Mona Passage]] and from the [[Lesser Antilles]] [[island arc]] by the [[Anegada Passage]], the main island of Puerto Rico, the [[Spanish Virgin Islands]] of Vieques and Culebra, the [[British Virgin Islands]], and the [[United States Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]] except for the southernmost island of [[Saint Croix]] all lie on the same [[carbonate platform]] and [[Continental shelf|insular shelf]], the [[Puerto Rico Bank]], between the [[Puerto Rico Trench]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]] and the [[Muertos Trough]] in  the northeastern [[Caribbean Sea]]. The archipelagos of Puerto Rico and the [[Virgin Islands]] except for Saint Croix also lie on the same [[List of tectonic plates#Microplates|tectonic plate]], the [[Puerto Rico–Virgin Islands microplate]].  

[[File:ISS017-E-18779 - View of Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|275x275px|Satellite image of Puerto Rico, 2008]]

Around 60% mountainous, the main island of Puerto Rico has one principal [[mountain range]] covering the central region of the island from west to east, the [[Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico)|Cordillera Central]]. It is divided into three subranges: the [[Eponym|eponymous]] main subrange of ''Cordillera Central'' in the center, the [[Sierra de Cayey]] in the southeast, and the [[Sierra de Luquillo]] in the northeast.<ref name="Geografía" /> The highest elevation point in Puerto Rico, [[Cerro de Punta]] ({{convert|4390|ft|m|0|disp=or|sp=us}}),<ref name="usgs">{{cite web| date =April 29, 2005 | url =https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/Elevations-Distances/elvadist.html#Highest| title =Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher =U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = October 23, 2017}}</ref> is located in the ''Cordillera Central'', while [[El Yunque, Puerto Rico|El Yunque]], one of the most popular peaks in Puerto Rico, located in the Sierra de Luquillo and part of [[El Yunque National Forest]], has a maximum elevation of {{convert|3,540|ft|m}}.

The main island has seven [[valley]]s: [[Caguas Valley|Caguas]], [[Yabucoa Valley|Yabucoa]], [[Lajas Valley|Lajas]], [[Río Grande de Añasco|Añasco]], the Coloso and [[Culebrinas River|Culebrinas]], [[Cibuco River|Cibuco]], and [[Guanajibo River|Guanajibo]]. It has two narrow [[coastal plain]]s: one stretching alongside the northern coast, and the other alongside the southern coast. The capital, [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], and its [[San Juan–Bayamón–Caguas metropolitan area|metropolitan area]] are located on the northern coastal plain in the northeast. It also has one prominent [[karst]] formation in its northwestern central region called the [[Northern Karst Belt]], and two prominent [[batholith]]s, one in the southeastern [[Municipalities of Puerto Rico|municipality]] of [[San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico|San Lorenzo]], and the other in the western municipality of [[Utuado, Puerto Rico|Utuado]]. The island has 47 major rivers, of which the longest is [[Río de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|Río de la Plata]], and 26 [[Reservoir|reservoirs]], [[Lagoon|lagoons]], or [[Lake|lakes]], among which is ''Laguna Grande'' (<nowiki>''big lagoon''</nowiki>), one of three bioluminescent bays in the archipelago of Puerto Rico located in the far northeastern municipality of [[Fajardo, Puerto Rico|Fajardo]].<ref name="Geografía" />

The archipelago of Puerto Rico has numerous [[List of protected areas of Puerto Rico|protected nature areas]], including the [[Nature reserves in Puerto Rico|nature reserves]] of [[La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve|La Cordillera]] in the ''Sonda de Vieques'' (Vieques [[Sound (geography)|Sound]]) and ''Media Luna'' (<nowiki>''half moon''</nowiki>) in [[Lajas, Puerto Rico|Lajas]], the [[National Wildlife Refuge|wildlife refuge]] in [[Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge|Cabo Rojo]] and [[Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge|Desecheo]], the [[National Estuarine Research Reserve|estuarine research reserve]] of [[Bahía de Jobos]] in [[Salinas, Puerto Rico|Salinas]], and the [[National Park Service|national park]] of the [[El Yunque National Forest|El Yunque]] forest in [[Río Grande, Puerto Rico|Rio Grande]].  

==Topography==
[[File:Puerto Rico Map Topographic fixed.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Topographic map of Puerto Rico, 1952.]]

Puerto Rico is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south. The main mountain range is called [[Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico)|Cordillera Central]] (Central Mountain Range). The highest elevation in Puerto Rico, [[Cerro de Punta]] at {{convert|4393|ft|m|0}},<ref name=ciafactbook>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/puerto-rico/ CIA – The World Factbook – Puerto Rico#Geography].</ref> is located in this range. Another important peak is [[El Yunque (Puerto Rico)|El Yunque]], the second highest peak in the [[Sierra Luquillo|Sierra de Luquillo]] at the [[El Yunque National Forest]], with an elevation of {{convert|3494|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-caribbean-national-forest-hiking-fishing-puerto-rico-sidwcmdev_066593.html|title=Caribbean National Forest - El Yunque Trail #15 - GORP.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818050917/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-caribbean-national-forest-hiking-fishing-puerto-rico-sidwcmdev_066593.html|archive-date=August 18, 2010}}</ref>

===Geology===
{{Main article|Geology of Puerto Rico}}

Puerto Rico is composed of [[Cretaceous]] to [[Eocene]] [[Volcanic rock|volcanic]] and [[Intrusive rock|plutonic]] rocks, which are overlain by younger [[Oligocene]] to recent [[carbonate]]s and other [[sedimentary rock]]s. Most of the caverns and karst topography on the island occurs in the northern Oligocene to recent carbonates. The oldest rocks are approximately 190 million years old ([[Jurassic]]) and are located at [[Sierra Bermeja]] along the [[Lajas Valley]] in the southwest part of the island. These rocks may represent part of the [[oceanic crust]] and are believed to come from the Pacific Ocean realm. Puerto Rico lies at the boundary between the Caribbean and North American [[Tectonic plate|plate]]s. This means that it is currently being deformed by the [[tectonics|tectonic]] stresses caused by the interaction of these plates. These stresses may cause [[earthquakes]] and [[tsunami]]s. These [[seismic]] events, along with [[landslide]]s, represent some of the most dangerous [[geologic hazards]] in the island and in the northeastern [[Caribbean]]. The [[List of earthquakes in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands|most recent major earthquake]] occurred on [[1918 San Fermín earthquake|October 11, 1918]], with seismic moment estimated at 7.5 on the [[moment magnitude scale]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Suarez |first=Luis E. |editor-last=Paz |editor-first=Mario |title=Puerto Rico |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PKwJCAAAQBAJ |journal=International Handbook of Earthquake Engineering: Codes, Programs, and Examples |date=December 6, 2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |publication-date=2012 |pages=401 |isbn=9781461520696}}</ref> It originated off the coast of [[Aguadilla, Puerto Rico|Aguadilla]] and was accompanied by a [[tsunami]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FqQoAQAAMAAJ |title=The Porto Rico earthquake of 1918 with descriptions of earlier earthquakes: Report of the Earthquake Investigation Commission |last1=Reid |first1=Harry Fielding  |last2=Taber |first2=Stephen |publisher=Government Print Office |year=1919}}</ref>

Lying about {{convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of Puerto Rico in the Atlantic Ocean at the boundary between the [[Caribbean Plate|Caribbean]] and [[North American Plate|North American]] plates is the [[Puerto Rico Trench]], the largest and deepest trench in the Atlantic. The trench is {{convert|1090|mi|km|abbr=on}} long and about {{convert|97|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide. At its deepest point, named the [[Milwaukee Deep|Milwaukee Depth]], it is {{convert|27,493|ft|m|abbr=on}} deep, or about {{convert|5.21|mi|km|abbr=on}}.

==Physical geography==
The archipelago of Puerto Rico is located between the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic Ocean]], east of the [[Hispaniola]] and west of the [[Virgin Islands]]. Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico was key to the [[Spanish Empire]] since the early years of exploration, conquest and colonization of the [[Americas|New World]].

[[File:Puerto Rico geography.gif|thumb|left|275x275px|General [[Physical geography|physiographic]] map of Puerto Rico, with [[Mountain|mountainous]] terrain in green, [[karst]] in orange, and [[Coastal plain|plains]] in yellow ]]

The [[topography]] of the main island is divided into three major regions: the mountainous region, which includes the [[Cordillera Central (Puerto Rico)|Cordillera Central]], the [[Sierra de Luquillo]], and the [[Sierra de Cayey]]; the coastal plains; and the northern [[Karst topography|karst]] region. The ''Cordillera Central'' extends through the entire island, dividing it into the northern and southern regions. The mountain region accounts for approximately 60% <!--check this fact--> of the land area.

The archipelago of [[Culebra, Puerto Rico|Culebra]], located east of Puerto Rico, north of [[Vieques]], and west of the Virgin Islands, is composed of the island of Culebra and 28 uninhabited islets.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lat-long.com/Lookup.cfm?Name=&State=PR&County=Culebra&FeatureType=island&Submit=Lat-Long+Search|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170910/http://www.lat-long.com/Lookup.cfm?Name=&State=PR&County=Culebra&FeatureType=island&Submit=Lat-Long+Search|archive-date= March 3, 2016|title=ISLAND, county CULEBRA, state PR| access-date = July 13, 2006|publisher=Lat-Long.com }}</ref> Mainly mountainous, the island of Culebra possesses world-renowned beaches.

===Climate===
{{Main article|Climate of Puerto Rico}}

Located in the tropics, Puerto Rico enjoys an average temperature of {{convert|81|°F|°C|sigfig=2}} throughout the year. The seasons do not change very drastically. The temperature in the south is usually a few degrees higher than the north and temperatures in the central interior mountains are always cooler than the rest of the island. The highest temperature record was in the municipality of [[San German]] with {{convert|105|°F|sigfig=3}} and the minimum registration is {{convert|39|°F|sigfig=2}} in [[Aibonito]]. The [[dry season]] spans from December to April while the [[wet season]] coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season from May to November.

===Rivers and lakes===
[[File:Río Piedras Watershed » Sub-watersheds.jpg|thumb|175px|Map of the [[Piedras River (San Juan, Puerto Rico)|Río Piedras]] [[Drainage basin|watershed]], also known as the San Juan Bay Estuary Watershed (2015), and ends in the [[San Juan Bay]]]]

Puerto Rico has lakes (none of them natural)<ref>[http://www.gobierno.pr/DRNA/ReservasNaturales/LagosRiosLagunas/Lagos/Lagos_I.htm Los Lagos de Puerto Rico] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041225032628/http://www.gobierno.pr/DRNA/ReservasNaturales/LagosRiosLagunas/Lagos/Lagos_I.htm |date=December 25, 2004 }} {{in lang|es}}</ref> and more than [[List of Puerto Rico rivers|50 rivers]]. Most of these rivers are born in the ''Cordillera Central'', Puerto Rico's principal mountain range located across the center of the island. The rivers in the north of the island are bigger and with higher flow capacity than those of the south. The south is thus drier and hotter than the north. These rivers make up 60 [[Drainage basin|watersheds]] throughout the island, where over 95% of the runoff goes back to sea. With a length of length of approximately 74 kilometres (46 mi) [[Río de la Plata (Puerto Rico)|La Plata River]] is the longest,<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=La Plata River |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/La-Plata-River |access-date=24 February 2019 |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref><ref name="GNIS">{{Gnis|1612412}}</ref> while [[Río Grande de Loíza|Loíza]] is the largest by discharge volume with a hydrological basin of {{convert|289.9|sqmi|order=flip}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources |title=Cuenca del Río Grande de Loíza |url=http://drna.pr.gov/historico/oficinas/saux/secretaria-auxiliar-de-planificacion-integral/planagua/inventario-recursos-de-agua/cuencas-hidrograficas/Cuenca%20del%20Rio%20Grande%20de%20Loiza.pdf |access-date=2021-09-21 |website=drna.pr.gov}}</ref><ref name="DRNA_rivers">{{cite magazine |date=February 1, 2007 |title=Los Ríos |url=http://www.drna.gobierno.pr/biblioteca/publicaciones/hojas-de-nuestro-ambiente/13-LOS-RIOS-T.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401205148/http://www.drna.gobierno.pr/biblioteca/publicaciones/hojas-de-nuestro-ambiente/13-LOS%20RIOS%20T..pdf |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2019 |magazine=Hojas de Nuestro Ambiente |publisher=DRNA |location=Puerto Rico}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
{{Main article|Fauna of Puerto Rico|List of endemic flora of Puerto Rico}}
[[File:Puerto Rico ecosystems map-en.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|left|Map of the ecosystems of Puerto Rico]]

As of 1998,<ref>[http://islands.unep.ch/ISV.htm#459 Island Directory].</ref> 239 plants, 16 birds and 39 [[amphibian]]s/reptiles have been discovered that are [[Endemism|endemic]] to the archipelago of Puerto Rico. The majority of these (234, 12 and 33 respectively) are found on the main island. The most recognizable endemic species and a symbol of Puerto Rican pride are the coquis (''[[Eleutherodactylus]]'' spp.), small frogs easily recognized by the sound from which they get their name. [[El Yunque National Forest]], a [[Puerto Rican moist forests|tropical rainforest]], is home to the majority (13 of 16) of species of coqui. It is also home to more than 240 plants, 26 of which are endemic, and 50 bird species, including the [[critically endangered]] [[Puerto Rican amazon]] (''Amazona vittata'').

===Forests===
{{Main articles|El Yunque National Forest|List of Puerto Rico state forests}}
Forests of Puerto Rico are well represented by the flora of the Luquillo Experimental Forest (LEF), a [[Long Term Ecological Research Network]] site managed by the [[United States Forest Service]] and [[University of Puerto Rico]]. At this site, there are four main life zones, delineated on the basis of temperature and precipitation (Holdridge System), in the [[Sierra de Luquillo]]: subtropical wet and subtropical rain forests are found at low and mid elevations, lower montane rain and lower montane wet forests at high elevations. There is also an area of subtropical moist forest at low elevations on the southwest slope.

Tabonuco forest, so named for the dominant tabonuco tree (''[[Dacryodes excelsa]]''), covers lower slopes to about {{convert|2000|ft|m|abbr=on}}. In well-developed stands the larger trees exceed {{convert|98|ft|m|abbr=on}} in height, there is a fairly continuous [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]] at {{convert|66|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and the shaded [[understory]] is moderately dense. Tabonuco trees are especially large on ridges, where they are firmly rooted in the rocky substrate and connected by root grafts with each other. There are about 168 tree species in the tabonuco forest.

The palo Colorado forest, named for the large ''palo colorado'' tree (''[[Cyrilla]] racemiflora''), begins above the tabonuco forest and extends up to about {{convert|3000|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Its canopy reaches only about {{convert|49|ft|m|abbr=on}}. Soils are saturated and root mats above the soil are common. There are some 53 tree species in this forest type. At this same elevation, but in especially steep and wet areas, is palm forest, heavily dominated by the sierra palm tree (''[[Prestoea montana]]''). Patches of palm forest are also found in saturated [[Riparian zone|riparian areas]] in the tabonuco forest. The palm forest reaches about 15 m in height.

At the highest elevations is [[Elfin forest|dwarf forest]], a dense forest as short as {{convert|9.8|ft|m|abbr=on}}, on saturated soils. Here the trees are covered with [[Epiphyte|epiphytic]] [[moss]]es and vascular plants, especially [[bromeliad]]s, and these also cover large areas of the ground. Ascending the Luquillo mountains through these forest types, the average tree height and diameter, number of tree species, and basal area (cross sectional area of tree stems) tend to decrease, while stem density increases.

There are more than 89 tree species in the LEF. The most common are ''Prestoea acuminata'', ''[[Casearia arborea]]'', ''Dacryodes excelsa'', ''[[Manilkara bidentata]]'', ''[[Inga laurina]]'', and ''[[Sloanea berteroana]]''. Common shrub species are ''[[Palicourea croceoides]]'', ''[[Psychotria berteriana]]'', and ''[[Piper glabrescens]]''. Grasses, [[fern]]s, and [[forb]]s are frequent on the ground, especially in canopy gaps; epiphytes are fairly common, and vines are uncommon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lternet.edu/sites/luq/fulldescription.php?site=LUQ |title=Luquillo LTER – LUQ Description |publisher=Long Term Ecological Research Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527174310/http://www.lternet.edu/sites/luq/fulldescription.php?site=LUQ |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref>

[[Puerto Rican dry forests]] are dominated by plants in the families [[Rubiaceae]], [[Euphorbiaceae]], and [[Myrtaceae]]. In this regard they are similar to [[Jamaican dry forests]], but differ sharply from dry forests on the mainland of [[South America|South]] and Central America, which are dominated by [[Fabaceae]] and [[Bignoniaceae]].<ref>Gentry, A.H. (1995) Diversity and floristic composition of neotropical dry forests. pp.&nbsp;146–194 in S.H. Bullock, H.A. Mooney and E. Medina (editors) Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.</ref>

Mario Javier Fernandez-Vega is a Puerto Rican forester who uses [[Silviculture|silvicultural]] techniques. Fernandez is currently developing cutting edge forestry methods known as the "Borincano Model". The model capitalizes on the diversity of ecological niches in Puerto Rican forests and native disturbance regimes to formulate practices uniquely suited to the forests of the territory. About his model Fernandez has been known to comment, "''Soy de aquí como el coquí''" (I am from here just like the coqui), a common patriotic axiom that is used to demonstrate their native ties to the island. The [[Coquí|coqui]] and its unique vocalizations are indigenous to the island of Puerto Rico. However, there are thriving populations of coquis that, like the people of Puerto Rico, have been transported to [[Hawaii]]. The coqui is viewed as an ecological menace in Hawaii where its song of ''co kee co kee'' is found to be an irritant by many. Needless to say that efforts to eradicate its presence in Hawaii is not a popular issue among Puerto Ricans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-coqui-frog-hawaii-20141228-story.html|title=Tiny coqui frog becomes a big problem in Hawaii|first=Los Angeles|last=Times|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=December 28, 2014 }}</ref>

==Administrative geography==
===Overview===
{{See also|Municipalities of Puerto Rico}}
[[File:USA Puerto Rico labeled.svg|thumb|500px|Map of Puerto Rico's municipalities, 2009]]

As an [[Territories of the United States|unincorporated territory of the United States]], Puerto Rico does not have any first-order administrative divisions as defined by the [[U.S. Government]], but there are 78 municipalities at the second level. Municipalities are further subdivided into ''[[barrio]]s''. Each municipality has a mayor and a municipal legislature elected for a 4-year term.

===History===
The first permanent municipality of Puerto Rico, [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]], was founded in 1521. In the 16th century two more municipalities were permanently established, [[Coamo]] (1570) and [[San Germán]] (1570). Three more municipalities were established in the 17th century. These were [[Arecibo]] (1614), [[Aguada, Puerto Rico|Aguada]] (1692) and [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]] (1692). The 18th and 19th century saw an increase in settlement in Puerto Rico with 30 municipalities being established in the 18th century and 34 more in the 19th century. Only six municipalities were founded in the 20th century with the last, [[Florida, Puerto Rico|Florida]], being founded in 1971.<ref>[http://www.linktopr.com/fundacion.html LinktoPR.com – Fundación de los Pueblos] {{in lang|es}}. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928214949/http://www.linktopr.com/fundacion.html |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Puerto Rico departamentos 1886.jpg|thumb|right|Map of Puerto Rico showing regional districts, 1886]]

Under Spanish rule, as of the 1880s, Puerto Rico was subdivided into regional districts (or "[[departamento]]s") that contained smaller [[Ayuntamiento (Spain)|ayuntamientos]] (municipalities).<ref>{{Citation |title = Encyclopædia Britannica |location=Chicago |year=1895 |chapter=Porto Rico |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jcQsAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA532 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" align="left" style="margin: 1em; margin-top: 0;"
|-
! colspan="2" | Historical Administrative Divisions<ref name=Gimeno1885>{{cite journal |title=Poblacion y comercio de la isla de Puerto Rico |author=José Gimeno Agius |author-link=:es:José Gimeno Agius |journal=[[:es:Revista de España|Revista de España]] |volume= 102 |year=1885 |location=Madrid |language=es |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xVpDAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA559 }}</ref>
|- bgcolor = lightgrey
! Regional District
! Municipality
|-
| rowspan="8" | Aguadilla
|-
| Aguada
|-
| [[Aguadilla, Puerto Rico|Aguadilla]]
|-
| Isabela
|-
| Lares
|-
| Moca
|-
| Rincón
|-
| San Sebastián
|-
| rowspan="10" | Arecibo
|-
| Arecibo
|-
| Barceloneta
|-
| Camuy
|-
| Ciales
|-
| Hatillo
|-
| Manatí
|-
| Morovis
|-
| Quebradillas
|-
| Utuado
|-
| rowspan="14" | Bayamón
|-
| [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]]
|-
| [[Carolina, Puerto Rico|Carolina]]
|-
| Corozal
|-
| Dorado
|-
| Loíza
|-
| Naranjito
|-
| Río Grande
|-
| Río Piedras
|-
| Toa Alta
|-
| [[Toa Baja, Puerto Rico|Toa Baja]]
|-
| [[Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico|Trujillo Alto]]
|-
| Vega Alta
|-
| [[Vega Baja, Puerto Rico|Vega Baja]]
|-
| |San Juan
|-
| rowspan="12" | Guayama
|-
| Aguas Buenas
|-
| Arroyo
|-
| [[Caguas, Puerto Rico|Caguas]]
|-
| Cayey
|-
| Cidra
|-
| [[Guayama, Puerto Rico|Guayama]]
|-
| Gurabo
|-
| Hato Grande
|-
| Juncos
|-
| Sabana del Palmar
|-
| Salinas
|-
| rowspan="11" | Humacao
|-
| Ceiba
|-
| Fajardo
|-
| [[Humacao, Puerto Rico|Humacao]]
|-
| Luquillo
|-
| Maunabo
|-
| Naguabo
|-
| Patillas
|-
| Piedras
|-
| Vieques
|-
| Yabucoa
|-
| rowspan="10" | Mayagüez<ref>{{cite book |title=Colonial Business Directory of the Island of Puerto Rico |author= M. de Magalhães |oclc=39940968 |location= New York |year=1898 |chapter= Towns and Townships of the Province of Mayaguez |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/colonialbusiness00maga#page/16/mode/2up }}</ref>
|-
| Añasco
|-
| Cabo Rojo
|-
| Hormigueros
|-
| Lajas
|-
| Las Marías
|-
| Maricao
|-
| [[Mayagüez, Puerto Rico|Mayagüez]]
|-
| Sabana Grande
|-
| San Germán
|-
| rowspan="12" | Ponce<ref>{{cite book |title=Colonial Business Directory of the Island of Puerto Rico |author= M. de Magalhães |oclc=39940968 |location= New York |year=1898 |chapter= Towns and Townships of the Province of Ponce |chapter-url= https://archive.org/stream/colonialbusiness00maga#page/18/mode/2up }}</ref>
|-
| Adjuntas
|-
| Aibonito
|-
| Barranquitas
|-
| Barros
|-
| Coamo
|-
| Guayanilla
|-
| [[Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico|Juana Díaz]]
|-
| Peñuelas
|-
| Ponce
|-
| Santa Isabel
|-
| Yauco
|}

==Strategic geography==
{{main article| Geostrategy}}

Since the [[Puerto Rico#Spanish colony (1493–1898)|European colonization]] of [[Puerto Rico]] in the early 1500s, the geographic location of the island has been recognized for its strategic significance and accessibility. During the [[Age of Discovery|Age of Exploration]] and [[Age of Sail|Sail]], Puerto Rico was known to the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] as ''La Llave de las Indias'' (The Key to the [[Council of the Indies|Indies]]),<ref name="MightyPR">{{cite web |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Justificación para una historia militar de Puerto Rico |url=https://academiaprhistoria.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/1990-07-01-02.pdf |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=Academia Puertorriqueña de la Historia |pages=250–51 |language=Spanish}}</ref> as it was the closest, European-settled major area of land in the [[Americas]] to both [[continental Europe]] and [[Africa]] with open access to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The [[Trade winds|northeast trade winds]], coupled with the [[Canary Current|canary]] and [[North Equatorial Current|north equatorial]] [[Ocean current|ocean currents]], naturally made the island the first major location to encounter en route to the [[Caribbean]], [[North America]], [[Central America]], and [[South America]], regions where the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish]] established their territories, often simply called the [[Council of the Indies|''Indias'' (Indies)]].  

In 1640, [[Philip IV of Spain|King Philip IV of Spain]] described Puerto Rico as:

{{quote box|width=30em|"…siendo frente y vanguardia de todas mis Indias Occidentales, y respecto de sus consecuencias la más apreciada de ellas, y codiciada de los enemigos."|''Rey Felipe IV de España, 16 de Mayo de 1640''<ref name="MightyPR"/>}} 

which, translated in [[English language|English]], reads as:   

{{quote box|width=30em|"…being the front and vanguard of all my West Indies, and with respect to its consequences, the most appreciated of them and coveted by the enemies."|''King Phillip IV of Spain, May 16, 1640''<ref name="MightyPR"/>}}

In 1643, the king reiterated the importance of Puerto Rico to the [[Spanish Empire]] as:   

{{quote box|width=30em|"…primera de las pobladas y principal custodia y llave de todas…"|''Rey Felipe IV de España, 20 de Agosto de 1643''<ref name="MightyPR"/>}}

which, translated in [[English language|English]], reads as: 

{{quote box|width=30em|"…first of the populated ones and principal custodian and key of all…"|''King Philip IV of Spain, August 20, 1643''<ref name="MightyPR"/>}}

As a [[Territories of the United States|territory]] of the [[United States]], the [[Geostrategy|geostrategic]] location of Puerto Rico was paramount in the construction of the [[Panama Canal]], and the defense of the [[Western Hemisphere|Western Hemesphere]] against [[Nazi Germany|Nazi]] [[Operation Neuland]] in the [[Battle of the Caribbean]] during [[World War II|WWII]]. Puerto Rico is known as an American [[Gibraltar]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Puerto Rico to Be Our Gibraltar In Caribbean, Says Admiral Leahy; Bases There Will Make 'Extreme Hazards' for Invader--He Consults Roosevelt, May Be Made Defense Coordinator |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/05/25/archives/puerto-rico-to-be-our-gibraltar-in-caribbean-says-admiral-leahy.html |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=New York Times}}</ref> or the ''Gibraltar of the Caribbean'', as it stands guard over the entrance to the [[Caribbean Sea]], itself a passageway into [[North America|North]], [[Central America|Central]], and [[South America]], just as [[British Empire|British]] [[Gibraltar]] stands guard over the [[Strait of Gibraltar]], the entrance to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] from the Atlantic Ocean. Like [[Hawaii]] in the middle of the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Puerto Rico]] in the middle of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] is an important part for the continuation of [[American Century|American power abroad]].

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Portal|Puerto Rico}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=RYTIaxAJdA0C&q=Geology+of+Puerto+Rico Living with the Puerto Rico Shore], David M. Bush, Richard M. T. Webb, José González Liboy, Duke University Press, 1995
* Atlas de la Historia de Puerto Rico, Dr. Arturo Santana, Rafael Torrech, Editorial Cordillera, 1988, {{OCLC|912779331}}, {{ISBN|978-0884951513}}
* The Geographic Regions of Puerto Rico, [[Rafael Picó]], 1950, OCLC number 1649057
* Nueva Geografía de Puerto Rico: Física, Económica y Social, [[Rafael Picó]], 1975
* Elementos de Geografía de Puerto Rico, Dr. José F. Cadilla, Ángel Cruz, Sara Diez-Trigo, 1988
* {{cite web |last1=González Vales |first1=Luis E. |title=La geografía en la historiografía puertorriqueña |url=http://www.oslpr.org/v2/PDFS/La%20geograf%C3%ADa%20en%20la%20historiograf%C3%ADa%20puertorrique%C3%B1a%20(2).pdf |website=Oficina de Servicios Legislativos |language=es |date=November 15, 2005}}

{{U.S. political divisions geographies}}
{{Geography of North America}}
{{Puerto Rico topics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|18|15|N|66|30|W|scale:1000000|display=title}}

[[Category:Geography of Puerto Rico| ]]