Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. The beautiful, largely mountainous island is home to the only tropical rain forest in the United States. It was originally inhabited by the indigenous Taino people before Spain colonized it in 1493. Today, it's a popular tourist destination, although extensive damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and earthquakes in 2019 and 2020 have taken a toll. Readers will learn about the history of Puerto Rico. Colorful photographs, primary sources, and a timeline help readers make the most of their trip to this U.S. commonwealth.