| "Puerto Rico - my heart's devotion - let it sink back in | | | | trade winds, visitors find Puerto Rico's climate very |
| the ocean!" sang Anita in West Side Story. Although | | | | agreeable. |
| Anita's song made it clear that she preferred | | | | Aside from the glories of the beaches, Puerto Rico |
| America, for many residents and visitors Puerto Rico | | | | has much to offer travelers. San Juan, the capital |
| really is their hearts' devotion! Its warm tropical | | | | city, has preserved the Spanish architectural influence |
| climate, perennial sunshine and beautiful beaches bring | | | | in its older region. There, visitors will find original |
| millions of tourists to the island every year. It has | | | | colonial buildings and fortresses carefully maintained to |
| earned its nickname, the Island of Enchantment. | | | | protect their authenticity. Native arts and crafts of all |
| The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish for "Rich | | | | kinds, from bead work to clothing, thrive in San Juan. |
| Port") became an American territory and its | | | | The fortress of San Felipe del Morro perches on the |
| inhabitants granted US citizenship in 1912. It is the | | | | tip of the San Juan National Historic Site. La Fortalela, |
| easternmost island of the Greater Antilles chain | | | | the old fort that is now the Governor's Palace, |
| between the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the | | | | glistens with sunlight playing off its dome roof. |
| Caribbean Sea on the south. Puerto Rico was a | | | | Music is an essential part of the Puerto Rican culture; |
| Spanish colony for nearly 400 years; it was ceded to | | | | visitors are treated to performances of folk songs |
| the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American | | | | and ballads based on African and Spanish rhythms. |
| War. Its Hispanic roots remain; Spanish is the primary | | | | Latino jazz music and salsa music and dancing have |
| language of the island. In addition to the main island, | | | | had world-wide influence; this alone is reason for |
| Puerto Rico includes several off-shore islands; | | | | many to seek out the Island of Enchantment. Savvy |
| Vieques, Culebra and Mona. Although uninhabited, | | | | travelers know that, deep in the interior of the island, |
| Mona Island is a diver's favorite because of its | | | | the seis dance art of the peasant farmers is |
| abundant marine life. | | | | performed by six couples accompanied only by the |
| Visitors to the island flock to its pristine beaches, | | | | Spanish guitar. La Bomba is favored by Afro-Puerto |
| such as Luquillo Beach on the northeastern corner. | | | | Ricans along the coastal regions; the dance came to |
| Light brown sand and blue-green water gives way to | | | | Puerto Rico with slaves from Africa, and is played |
| lush palm forests that wave gently in the cool trade | | | | only with two drums and maracas that accompany |
| winds. The surrounding ocean is very deep; the | | | | the vocalist. So rich in musical variety is the island that |
| Puerto Rico Trench, to the north, drops to 28,231 | | | | everywhere visitors are treated to some of the |
| feet - the deepest known point of the Atlantic | | | | most sought-after music and dance performances on |
| Ocean. Thus, between the cool, deep water and the | | | | Earth. |