People and Society of Puerto Rico

Nationality

Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Ethnic Groups

white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9%

Population

3,977,663

Population in Major Urban Areas

SAN JUAN (capital) 2.475 million

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Culture

Education is a high priority in Puerto Rico. Today, the literacy rate is about 90 percent. Children are required to attend school between the ages of five and seventeen. There are three levels of schooling. The primary level included kindergarten, plus six grades, and the middle and high levels each had three grades. Education for all children began in Puerto Rico when the United States took over the government from the Spanish. Puerto Rico’s Department of Education administers the island’s school system. Classes are taught in Spanish, but students study English as a second language for twelve years of their schooling. Many Puerto Rico’s high school graduates go on to college.

• Roman Catholic85.0%
• Protestant and other15.0%

Spanish

• Spanish

• Eugenio Maria de Hostos

  Author · 1839

  Eugenio Maria de Hostos, Puerto Rican patriot, and author, was born on Jan. 11, 1839.

• Jose Celso Barbosa

  Reformer · 1857

  Jose Celso Barbosa, Puerto Rican physician and patriot, was born on July 27, 1857.

• Luis Munoz

  Author · 1859

  Luis Munoz, Puerto Rican patriot and poet, was born on July 17, 1859.

• Jose de Diego

  Government Leader · 1866

  Jose de Diego, Puerto Rican patriot and political leader was born on April 16, 1866.

• Roberto Clemente

  Athlete · 1934

  Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rican baseball player, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico on Aug. 18, 1934. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates.