Explore/Experience Puerto Rico
History & Culture
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When Christopher Columbus stepped ashore in Aguada (or Aguadilla; both towns claim the honor) in 1493 he encountered a flourishing Taíno culture. Within decades the Indians disappeared, but not before leaving their mark on the character that was to become Puerto Rican. African slaves replaced the Indians as laborers, and their traditions also went into the cultural mix forged by more than four centuries of Spanish dominance.
The symbol of the Institute of Puerto Rico Culture depicts these three influences: Indian, African and Spanish. In broad terms, that is an accurate ethnic amalgam, but culture and history are never easy to explain. Into the crucible have to go Chinese workers, who built the railroads and remained; Spanish Loyalists fleeing revolution in South America; Corsicans who populated the coffee country out on the island; French immigrants from Haiti and Louisiana; a smattering of Scots and Irish; and droves of North Americans following the Spanish American War.
What is Puerto Rico?
It is an island teeming with beauty and vitality. Some of it is Spanish, some Indian, some African and some... others. But somehow it all blends together into a culture that you will find fascinating and one-of-kind.
History
The first inhabitants of Puerto Rico were Archaic Indians who most likely arrived from Venezuela around 4500 BC. They were followed by the Igneri tribes, beginning about 200 AD, who were replaced in turn by the Taínos around 800 AD.
Christopher Columbus landed on the island, which the Indians called Boriquén or Borinquen, in 1493 and claimed the land for Spain. He named it after San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist). In 1508 Juan Ponce de León founded the first settlement, Caparra, and in 1521 moved it 4 miles away to a small peninsula along a beautiful bay. He called it Puerto Rico (Rich Port). The whole island eventually became known as Puerto Rico and the capital city as San Juan.
Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony from 1493 until 1898, when it became a part of the United States as a result of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. During those 405 years, the bedrock of Puerto Rican culture was laid: the Spanish language, the Roman Catholic religion, architecture, and art.
The Indian population dwindled and disappeared soon after the arrival of the Spaniards, leaving behind countless place names and other influences on the language and culture of the island-including their DNA, according to recent studies.
To replace the Indians the Spanish imported slaves from West Africa to work the land. Slavery was abolished in 1873, but by then many elements of African culture had been absorbed into the island's heritage. In the 19th century there was also significant immigration from Europe, South America, and other Caribbean islands.
Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States in 1898, US citizenship was granted to its inhabitants in 1917, and the island became a self-governing U.S. commonwealth on July 25, 1952. Elections are held every four years.
This is a simplified outline of our heritage. The true history of Puerto Rico is reflected in our literature, art, music, architecture, and in our spirit. You can see it everywhere, from our oldest cities to our newest urban developments.
Puerto Rico is many, many things. We hope you will enjoy discovering a few of them!
Culture
Since the first humans came ashore thousands years ago, the island that is now known as Puerto Rico has sheltered many different cultures. As a result of its geographical position in the center of the arc of the Antilles, and its particular history, Puerto Rico is a crossroads of Hispanic and Anglo culture.
The Taínos, the last from a series of Indian migrations that originated in South and North America, ruled the island when the Spaniards arrived in 1493.
During their 400-year tenure the Spaniards laid the bedrock of our language and our culture. They built cities and towns, fortresses and churches, lighthouses and roadways. They brought slaves from Africa to work in the fields, who, in turn, contributed the spice of their culture, enriching our language, our music and our diets!
The confluence of these three cultures, Indian, Spanish and African, formed the Puerto Rican character.
Yet Puerto Rico has been a part of the United States since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917. This close relationship with the world's most powerful nation has also left its mark. It is this fascinating combination of elements that gives the island its distinctive character. Here you will find cities and towns that are living museums of Spanish colonial architecture, yet bustling with activity. You can see the remains of villages more than a thousand years old. You can hear music that captures the tempo of the island or echoes the world. You can even watch NASA scientists listening for signs of intelligent life in the universe!
Learn more about Puerto Rican culture, music and art.
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