About Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Ocean. It is the smallest of the Greater Antilles Islands, which include Cuba (the largest), Haiti and the República Dominicana (sharing an island), and Jamaica. Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide. It is 1000 miles from Miami.

Puerto Rico is often referred to as” Borinquen” or “Borikén”, indigenous names, as well as “Isla del Encanto”, and “Perla del Caribe. Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as “Puertorriqueños” or “Boricuas”. Boricua is used as a term of endearment and cultural affirmation.

Before the Spaniards discovered Puerto Rico, it was populated by Taíno Indians. The Taínos were a peaceful, gentle nation. They welcomed the conquistadores and shared their homes and food and gave the Spaniards many gifts.

Columbus sailed from Spain in his second voyage and discovered Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. He named the island San Juan Bautista. Columbus thought this island to be very beautiful and wrote so in his diary. The island's name was changed to Puerto Rico.

Juan Ponce de León colonized Borinquen in 1508 and became its first governor. The Spaniard conquistadores were looking for gold. They made slaves of the Indians slowly killing them from overwork. Soon thereafter African families were brought to the island as slaves.

PUERTO RICO - Introduction

Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Ocean. It is the smallest of the Greater Antilles Islands, which include Cuba (the largest), La Española (Haiti and the República Dominicana sharing an island), and Jamaica. Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide. It is 1000 miles from Miami.

 Name the Greater Antilles Islands

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 Puerto Rico is often referred to as Borinquen or Borikén, indigenous names, as well as Isla del Encanto, and Perla del Caribe. Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as Puertorriqueños or Boricuas. Boricua is used a s a term of endearment and cultural affirmation.  List 3 other names for Puerto Rico.

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An endearing name for Puerto Ricans is:

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Before the Spaniards discovered Puerto Rico, it was populated by Taíno Indians. The Taínos were a peaceful, gentle nation. They welcomed the conquistadores and shared their homes and food and gave the Spaniards many gifts. Which Indian nation made Puerto Rico their home?

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Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain in his second voyage and discovered Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. He named the island San Juan Bautista. Columbus thought this island to be very beautiful and wrote so in his diary. The island's name was changed to Puerto Rico.  Who discovered Puerto Rico?

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What is the date of Discovery?

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Juan Ponce de León colonized Borinquen in 1508 and became its first governor. The Spaniard conquistadores were looking for gold. They made slaves of the Indians slowly killing them from overwork. Soon thereafter African families were brought to the island as slaves.

 Who was Puerto Rico's first governor?

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What year did colonization begin in Puerto Rico?

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What were the Spaniards looking for?