Puerto Rico

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Geografía

Sobre el país

• Capital: San Juan• Moneda: el dólar

estadounidense• Idiomas: español e inglés son los

dos idiomas oficiales

Comida típica

• Tostones

• Pernil

• Arroz con gandules

Puerto Rican food

• Also known as comida criolla, has a distinctive taste, which comes from the herbs and spices that enhance it.

• A combination of local ingredients produces sofrito, the seasoning used in popular dishes such as arroz con pollo.

La cocina criolla• Traditional cooking in Puerto Rico, known as la

cocina criolla, combines Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. Tostones (fried plantains) are a common side dish. Popular snack foods are alcapurrias (fried plantains stuffed with meat) and bacalaitos (codfish fritters).

Gente Famosa• Roberto Clemente (beisbolista)

• Olga Tañón (cantante)

• Benicio del Toro (actor)

• Jenifer López (actriz/cantante)

Puerto Rican music

• The music is a blend of indigenous, European, and African elements: percussion and string, for example.

Timbaleros • Un timbalero es alquien

que toca los timbales.

• The photo on page 141 shows drummers of different ages. Puerto Ricans of all ages participate in their musical heritage. Drums and other percussion instruments popular in Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean serve as a reminder of the African heritage of the island.

The Taíno People• They lived in small groups throughout the island.

Their mainstay was agriculture supplemented by hunting and fishing.

• Primary entertainments included dance, music, and a type of ceremonial ball game.

• Little remains of Taíno material culture other than stone structures and monoliths (large block of stone or concrete).

Spanish Architecture• San Juan is very proud of the buildings of Spanish

colonial origin.• El Morro fortress was used by islanders to protect

themselves form pirates and other enemies.

The Colonial Architecture• The architecture of Puerto Rico features

primarily one- and two-story buildings of brick and plaster, large windows, balconies, and brightly painted pastel exteriors.

¡Somos Boricuas!

• The mural on page 141 is a testimony to the pride of Puerto Ricans in their cultural history. It celebrates the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the New World.

• Borriquén is what the Taíno people used to refer to the island (now Puerto Rico). The name Boricuas derives from the name of the island.

Background information• Puerto Rico is a free associated state of the U.S. and

Puerto Ricans have many of the rights of U.S. citizens, including the right to live in the U.S.