These were Arecibo (1614), Aguada (1692) and Ponce (1692). Lying about 75 mi (121 km) north of Puerto Rico in the Atlantic Ocean at the boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates is the Puerto Rico Trench, the largest and deepest trench in the Atlantic. Mooney and E. Medina (editors) Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests. Legal. High Winds From Tropical Storm Isaias Blow Through Punta … [5], Puerto Rican dry forests are dominated by plants in the families Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Myrtaceae. Not all of the islands of Puerto Rico are inhabited all year round.Puerto Rico is mostly mountainous. Three more municipalities were established in the 17th century. km (3,515 sq mi). Explore San Juan's sunrise and sunset, moonrise and moonset. Rain falls each month of the year, but the heaviest precipitation occurs between May and December. Puerto Rico observes Atlantic Standard Time all year. Escambrón Beach. Although some woodlands have been replanted since the mid-20th century, introduced varieties of trees, shrubs, and grasses now predominate. The Coquí and its unique vocalizations are indigenous to the island of Puerto Rico. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Associate Professor of History, Rutgers University. Puerto Rico coronavirus map: What do the trends mean for you? A small but persistent minority has advocated independence. San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and, arguably, the Caribbean. Another important peak is El Yunque, one of the highest in the Sierra de Luquillo at the El Yunque National Forest, with an elevation of 3,494 ft (1,065 m). None of Puerto Rico’s rivers is large enough for navigation, but several northward-flowing rivers are harnessed for municipal water supplies, irrigation, and hydroelectricity, and along the south coast irrigation is essential for agriculture. Only six municipalities were founded in the 20th century with the last, Florida, being founded in 1971. Most of the island’s original vegetation was removed through centuries of agricultural exploitation, particularly during the first two decades of the 20th century, when farm settlers and plantation workers destroyed large tracts of coastal forest and used the lumber for railroad ties and fuel. How far is it to Puerto Rico? The geography of Puerto Rico consists of an archipelago located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic, west of the Virgin Islands and north of Venezuela. Atlas de la Historia de Puerto Rico, Dr. Arturo Santana, Rafael Torrech, Editorial Cordillera, 1988. It is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south regions of the island. Patches of palm forest are also found in saturated riparian areas in the tabonuco forest. What is the world’s largest archipelago? Show Prices. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest and most eastern of the Greater Antilles. However, there are thriving populations of Coquís that, like the people of Puerto Rico, have been transported to the island of Hawaii. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Compared with its Greater Antillean neighbours, Puerto Rico is one-fifth as large as the Dominican Republic, one-third the size of Haiti, and slightly smaller than Jamaica. Go back to see more maps of Puerto Rico  Maps of Puerto Rico. Ponce Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. 123 4 5. The capital is San Juan. The islands of Mona, Vieques, and Culebra are generally hilly but ringed by narrow coastal plains; Vieques rises to 988 feet (301 metres) at Mount Pirata. 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. 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). The seasons do not change very drastically. [7], Puerto Rico is mostly mountainous with large coastal areas in the north and south. The highest peak on the island, Cerro de Punta, which is at 1,338 meters above sea level, is located on the Central Range. Puerto Rico Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Get directions, maps, and traffic for Ponce, Puerto Rico. where is puerto rico located on the map: puerto rico news: where is puerto rico located at: puerto rico island: where is puerto rico located from united states: is puerto rico part of the united states: where is puerto rico located in north america: rincón: Prev. Soils are saturated and root mats above the soil are common. Puerto Rico is located on the continent of North America, in between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. The most recent major earthquake occurred on October 11, 1918, with seismic moment estimated at 7.5 on the moment magnitude scale. It is situated in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, its northern shore facing the Atlantic Ocean. Various smaller islands and cays, including Vieques, Culebra, Mona, Desecheo, and Caja de Muertos Puerto Rico has lakes (none of them natural)[3] and more than 50 rivers. … 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 New World. Aibonito is the town with the highest elevation in Puerto Rico, located at 2,401 feet above sea level. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Fernandez is currently developing cutting edge forestry methods known as the "Borincano Model". High Winds From Tropical Storm Isaias Blow Through Punta … Contact Us Love Our Site? Northeast trade winds bring heavy rainfall to the north coast, while the south coast is in a rain shadow. It is roughly rectangular in shape, extending up to 111 miles (179 km) from east to west and 39 miles (63 km) from north to south. Although Puerto Rican relief is relatively low by continental standards, the island sits less than 100 miles (160 km) south of a precipitous depression in Earth’s crust: an extensive submarine feature of the Atlantic known as the Puerto Rico Trench, which descends to more than 5 miles (8 km) below sea level—the Atlantic’s deepest point—at a site northeast of the Dominican Republic. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Popup Window Fullscreen Exit. Puerto Rico . Another important peak is El Yunque, located in the Sierra de Luquillo at the El Yunque National Forest, with a maximum elevation of 3,494 feet (1,065 m). Special offer. Aibonito is located in the Cayey mountain range ("Sierra de Cayey"), part of the Cordillera Central in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Maps; U.S. maps; Mapa de Puerto Rico; Cities of Puerto Rico. pp.