Puerto Rico – The Island of Enchantment
Puerto Rico, known as La Isla del Encanto, is a vibrant island rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. As a U.S. territory with a distinct Caribbean identity, Puerto Rico blends Spanish, African, and Taíno influences, shaping its language, traditions, and way of life.
This page explores Puerto Rico’s geography, name, and relationship with the United States, as well as its major cities, holidays, and national symbols. From the island’s coat of arms and flag to its national anthem, bird, and flower, each emblem tells a story of resilience and pride.
Whether you’re learning about Puerto Rico’s rich celebrations or its unique political status, this guide provides an in-depth look at the island’s identity and heritage.
- Puerto Rico – The Island of Enchantment
- Geographical Location
- Puerto Rico’s Name and Islands
- Languages and U.S. Jurisdiction
- Capital and Major Cities
- Puerto Rican Holidays & Celebrations
- Puerto Rico’s National Symbols
Geographical Location
Puerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean, situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. More specifically, it lies east of the Dominican Republic, west of the Virgin Islands, and southeast of Miami, Florida.
Puerto Rico’s Name and Islands
Originally called Borinquen, from its indigenous Taíno name Borikén, Puerto Rico is part of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico along with several smaller islands. The largest of these are:
- Vieques
- Culebra
- Mona
Puerto Rico is also known as La Isla del Encanto, which translates to “The Island of Enchantment.”
Languages and U.S. Jurisdiction
Puerto Rico is under U.S. customs jurisdiction, meaning that it follows the trade, travel, and import/export regulations of the United States.
While both Spanish and English are the official languages, Spanish is the dominant language spoken on the island.
Capital and Major Cities
The capital of Puerto Rico is San Juan, which was founded in 1508 by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León, who also became the island’s first governor.
Other major cities include:
- Ponce
- Caguas
- Mayagüez
- Bayamón
- Carolina
- Arecibo
- Guaynabo
- Cayey
- Aguadilla
- Fajardo
Puerto Rican Holidays & Celebrations
JANUARY
🇺🇸 Año Nuevo (New Year’s Day) – January 1
Celebrated with family and friends, featuring traditional Puerto Rican food such as arroz con gandules, roasted pig, pasteles, and coquito.
🇵🇷 Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – January 6
Children leave boxes of grass under their beds for the Wise Men’s camels in exchange for gifts.
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Natalicio de Eugenio María de Hostos – January 11
Honoring the writer and statesman who fought for independence and the end of slavery.
🇺🇸 Conmemoración del Natalicio de Martin Luther King, Jr. – Third Monday in January
Federal and commonwealth holiday celebrating the civil rights leader.
FEBRUARY
🇺🇸 Día de San Valentín (Valentine’s Day) – February 14
Celebrated with gifts, chocolates, and flowers.
🇺🇸 Día de los Presidentes (Presidents’ Day) – Third Monday in February
Honors past U.S. presidents, including George Washington.
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Natalicio de Luis Muñoz Marín – February 18
Recognizing the first elected governor of Puerto Rico and architect of its commonwealth status.
MARCH
🇵🇷 Día de la Abolición de la Esclavitud (Emancipation Day) – March 22
Commemorates the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico in 1873.
APRIL
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Natalicio de José de Diego – Third Monday in April
Celebrates the life of a poet, journalist, and independence advocate.
🇺🇸 Viernes Santo (Good Friday) – Varies
A major religious holiday with processions and church services.
🇺🇸 Domingo de la Resurrección (Easter Sunday) – Varies
Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
MAY
🇺🇸 Día de las Madres (Mother’s Day) – Second Sunday in May
Celebrates motherhood and maternal bonds.
🇺🇸 Recordación de los Muertos de la Guerra (Memorial Day) – Last Monday in May
Honors military personnel who died in service.
JUNE
🇺🇸 Día de los Padres (Father’s Day) – Third Sunday in June
Celebrates fathers and their contributions.
JULY
🇺🇸 Día de la Independencia de Estados Unidos (Independence Day) – July 4
Marks the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Natalicio de Luis Muñoz Rivera – Third Monday in July
Honors the journalist and politician who fought for Puerto Rican autonomy.
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Estado Libre Asociado (Commonwealth Constitution Day) – July 25
Marks the establishment of Puerto Rico as a U.S. Commonwealth.
🇵🇷 Conmemoración del Natalicio de José Celso Barbosa – July 27
Recognizes the advocate for statehood and founder of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico.
SEPTEMBER
🇺🇸 Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) – First Monday in September
Celebrates workers and their contributions.
OCTOBER
🇺🇸 Descubrimiento de América (Columbus Day) – Second Monday in October
Commemorates Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.
🇺🇸 Halloween – October 31
Celebrated with costume parties and trick-or-treating.
NOVEMBER
🇺🇸 Día del Veterano (Veteran’s Day) – November 11
Honors military veterans.
🇵🇷 Día del Descubrimiento de Puerto Rico – November 19
Commemorates Columbus’ landing in Puerto Rico in 1493. At the time, the island was inhabited by the Taíno people, a group of Arawak Indigenous peoples.
🇺🇸 Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Fourth Thursday in November
Celebrated with family gatherings and feasts.
DECEMBER
🇺🇸 Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) – December 24
Families gather for celebrations and traditional food.
🇺🇸 Navidad (Christmas Day) – December 25
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
🇺🇸 Fin de Año (New Year’s Eve) – December 31
Marks the end of the year with parties and festivities.
Puerto Rico’s National Symbols
Puerto Rico’s Coat of Arms
Puerto Rico’s coat of arms is the oldest official heraldic emblem in the Americas, granted by the Spanish Crown in 1511. At its center, a green shield features a white lamb (Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God) on top of a book with seven seals, symbolizing Saint John the Baptist, Puerto Rico’s patron saint. The lamb holds a flag with a red cross on a white background, a Christian symbol of sacrifice and redemption.
Surrounding the shield are elements that reflect Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage, including castles and lions representing the Kingdoms of Castile and León, and a flag with the Cross of Jerusalem. A golden crown sits at the top, symbolizing royal authority, while the Latin inscription “Joannes Est Nomen Ejus” (“John is his name”) references Saint John the Baptist.
This historic coat of arms represents Puerto Rico’s deep cultural and religious ties, as well as its colonial past and enduring identity.
Seal of Puerto Rico
The Seal of Puerto Rico is a simplified version of the island’s historic coat of arms and serves as an official emblem of the government. At its center, a green circle features the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) standing on a red book with seven seals, symbolizing Saint John the Baptist, the island’s patron saint. The lamb holds a white flag with a red cross, representing Christianity and sacrifice. Surrounding the lamb are the Latin words “Joannes Est Nomen Ejus” (“John is his name”), a reference to Saint John the Baptist.
Encircling the green shield are symbols that reflect Puerto Rico’s Spanish heritage, including red lions (for the Kingdom of León), golden castles (for the Kingdom of Castile), and banners with the Cross of Jerusalem—a symbol of the Catholic faith. The golden crown above the lamb represents sovereignty, while the letters “F” and “I” honor King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, the Spanish monarchs who authorized Puerto Rico’s original coat of arms in 1511.
This seal represents Puerto Rico’s deep historical, religious, and cultural ties, preserving the island’s colonial past while serving as a modern governmental symbol.
La Borinqueña – Puerto Rico’s National Anthem
Puerto Rico’s official anthem, La Borinqueña, has a rich history and reflects the island’s resilience and pride. Originally a dance melody, it evolved into a patriotic anthem. The modern version, adopted in 1952, emphasizes Puerto Rican identity and strength.
National Bird
Stripe-headed Tanager also known as “Reina mora” (Spindalis zena)
National Flower
Puerto Rican Hibiscus also known as “Flor de maga” (Thespesia grandiflora)
The Puerto Rican Flag
The official flag of Puerto Rico was originally designed in 1892 and was officially adopted in 1952 by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín. While the original 1892 design differed slightly from the modern version, its colors also underwent a symbolic reinterpretation. The two white stripes now represent a republican form of government, rather than their original meaning of victory and peace after independence. The three red stripes symbolize the blood shed by brave warriors, the white star represents Puerto Rico itself, and the blue triangle signifies the sky and coastal waters. The triangle also represents the three branches of government.