13--Central+America+&+Caribbean--Puerto+Rico

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=Geographical Profile/Political Information=

> * CAPITAL
 * **Relative (to other countries in your region) and Absolute Location**
 * To the north(west): Bahamas
 * To the south: Venezuela
 * To the west: Haiti & Dominican Republic
 * Around: Cuba & Jamaica
 * Absolute Location: 18⁰ 15’ N, 66⁰ 30’ W
 * **Distance and direction from Lancaster, PA**
 * From Lancaster, PA to San Juan, PR (Capital) is approximately 1,612 miles
 * From Lancaster, PA Puerto Rico is in the Southeast Direction
 * **Size and comparative size to other countries in your region**
 * Coasts are 580 km
 * Smallest island in the Greater Antilles
 * **Climate**
 * Regular Temperature 80⁰ F
 * Dry season is between November – May
 * Hurricane season is between June - November
 * **Major physical features (Mountains, deserts, bodies of water, etc.)**
 * Mountain Ranges (cover 60% of the land): La Cordillera Central, La Sierra de Cayey, La Sierra De Luquillo, and La Sierra Bermeja
 * Rain Forest: El Yunque- 28,000 acres, gets about 100 billion gallons of rain
 * There are 1,200 bodies of water located in Puerto Rico, and only 50 of those 1,200 are rivers
 * Major Rivers: Grand de Loiza (65 km) Bayamon (40 km) La Plata (80 km) Grand de Arecibo (55 km)
 * **Major cultural characteristics (Foods, traditions, holidays, etc.)**
 * Food:
 * Appetizers: Bacalaitos, Surullitos, Empanadillas, Plaintains
 * Soups: Frijoles negros (black bean soup), sopon de pollo con arroz
 * Traditions:
 * On holidays families (all family, not just close relatives) gather together and celebrate
 * It is a tradition for every family with a daughter to throw her a Quincenera- a party for becoming the age of womanhood
 * Holidays: (Major)
 * Año Nuevo
 * Los Reyes
 * Navidad
 * **Major cities, including the capital**
 * Bayamón 18.35°N 66.17°W
 * Caguas 18.23°N 66.07°W
 * Carolina 18.34°N 65.95°W
 * Ponce 18.02°N 66.60°W
 * *San Juan 18.44°N 66.13°W
 * **Type of Government**
 * Commonwealth
 * **Head of State and Head of Government (if different)**
 * President of United States: //Barack Obama//
 * **Global Organizations**
 * Amnesty International



=Economic Information= http://welcome.topuertorico.org/fastfacts.shtml
 * **Currency and exchange rate against the U.S. Dollar**
 * U.S. Dollar
 * **Natural Resources**
 * Nickel, copper, and oil
 * **Agriculture Products**
 * Sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas, livestock products, and chicken
 * **Industries**
 * 55.5%
 * Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, electronics, apparel, food products, instruments, textiles, clothing, and tourism
 * **Imports and Import Partners**
 * $42,462 (2006)
 * US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002 est.)
 * **Export and Export Partners**
 * $59,218 billion (2006) Chemicals, Electronics, Apparel, Canned Tuna, Rum, Beverage Concentrates, Medical Equipment
 * U.S. 90.3%, U.K. 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%, Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002 est.)
 * **GDP (GDP per Capita)**
 * $67.87 billion (2009 est)
 * $17,100 (2009 est)
 * **HDI & HDI Ranking**
 * 0.942 (1998)
 * **Unemployment Rate**
 * 11.8%

=Population Information= > (https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rq.html)
 * **Current Population of your country**
 * 3,954,037
 * **Population density**
 * 1,000 people per square mile
 * **Age Distribution**
 * 0-14 years: 19.8%
 * 15-64 years: 66.1%
 * 65 and older: 14.1%
 * **Natural Rate of Increase (NRI)**
 * 3.69%
 * **How long will it take for your country's population to double in size? How does this doubling time compare to other countries in your region?**
 * About 18.9 years
 * In comparison to Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, Puerto Rico has the longest doubling time. Haiti could double in 3.4 years, the Dominican Republic in 4.1 years, and Cuba in 18.7 years.
 * **Literacy Rate**
 * 15 and over who can read and write: 94.1%
 * **Infant Mortality Rate** (out of 1,000 births)
 * 8.25 deaths
 * **Life Expectancy at age 1**
 * 78.52 years (at birth)
 * **Physical Quality of Life Index**
 * (166-8.28)*0.625= 98.575
 * (life expectancy – 42)*2.7=98.604.
 * (literacy rate + infant mortality calculation + life expectancy calculation) / 3 =97.093
 * **Ethnic Groups**
 * Spanish origin: 75.2%
 * African American: 6.9%
 * Asian: 0.3%
 * Amerindian: 0.2%
 * Mixed: 4.4%
 * Other: 12%
 * **Chief Religions**
 * Roman Catholic: 85%
 * Protestant and other: 15%
 * **Main Language**
 * Spanish
 * English

=Human Rights Information= In 2007, nearly 50 environmentalists rallied near the Paseo Caribe blocking entrance for others. It was said they were acting in civil disobedience which lead to the interference of police. It took more than 100 police officers to handle the situation. However, it was claimed that the police officers were harming these environmentalists. Police officers were physically hurting- beating, kicking, punching, etc. When the police were confronted they responded that they were only doing their jobs, doing whatever it took to handle the case.

Because these police officers harmed other individuals without a reasonable excuse (not a serious enough case to have to harm them) Amnesty International crept its way into the situation. Amnesty International is an organization that deals with infringing on peoples human rights. They have investigated some background behind the case, however, more investigation is still to be done. And as for the police officers each one of them is going to be evaluated as to what part and how big of a part they played in the case. Once that is done, further action will be taken as far as punishment for the police officers who committed a crime of their own.

The police officers as well as their staff, members in the rallying group, and their families are many of the people who are affected by this issue.

=Environmental Issues= Erosion as well as droughts are big environmental issues occuring in Puerto Rico today. Occasionally, Puerto Rico has droughts (a time period without rain) and harms the land. When this happens the water levels in the reservoirs to drop which then cause erosion. In bad cases erosion begins to pollute the water and that can affect many services and goods that use water. Erosion causes the water to ruin parts of land such as drying it up. Many people are worried and trying to prevent this from harming the land anymore but it is a slow process.

Puerto Rico has a fair amount of land which farmers use to grow and sell crops. Many people make a living from harvesting and selling. However, occasionally these farmers will have little to no money due to droughts. Droughts do not happen very often, but when they do they are bad. Crops without water cannot grow therefore die and leave farmers with no products to sell. Not only is this bad for farmers, but bad for stores and people who make money and enjoy eating these crops.

=Decision Statement= Our group chose that Jamaica would be the best country to move to. We looked over everything from population information to geography and products. We chose this country looking out for the best of the people.

Jamaica has a high life expectancy and good quality of life for those who live there. Jamaica offers a lot of resources and products that are produced there and easier access for those living there. People who live in Jamaica can expect to live good and happy lives.

Jamaica is all around well country. Many people can read and write, which helps make life easier. Children get schooled and can move onto live rich lives. Jamaica is a country in the Caribbean that offers much to the people of the land. We chose Jamaica because it is the best country for people to live on and get the most out of the land as well as their lives.

Work Cited
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rq.html http://www.topuertorico.org/culture/ http://welcome.topuertorico.org/index.shtml