When was puerto rico established

A population of 60, was reduced to 4, in seven years. Casa Blanca White House was built. The ever arriving Spaniards settlers, many of them gold-seekers, brought no women on their ships. To populate the country, the Spaniard took Indian women.

With the arrival of African slaves, other elements were added. This historic intermingling has resulted in a contemporary Puerto Rico without racial problems. He took refuge on La Habana, Cuba, where he died. The convent organized the first library in the island. On their attempt to capture the Island the French attacked many settlements. Only the capital remained. The Taino population had almost vanished.

Lando's census reports only Tainos remaining in the island. The construction of Santa Catalina Palace, the governors house, began. Later the name was changed to La Fortaleza. On July, a hurricane strikes the island. Few weeks later, on August another hurricane strikes the island. Many slaves died. Concerned about potential threats from European enemies and recognizing the strategic importance of Puerto Rico, Spain began constructing massive defenses around San Juan.

The construction of San Felipe del Morro Castle began. Next the Spaniards constructed a wall, parts of which still survive, around the entire city. The coconut tree was introduced to the island. In , Congress passed an act permitting Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor. Four years later, Puerto Rico would officially become a U. By that time, the U. Even as Puerto Rico attracted an influx of big American companies, and became a center for manufacturing and tourism, the decline of its agricultural industries led many islanders to seek employment opportunities in the United States.

As citizens of a commonwealth, Puerto Ricans can elect a non-voting representative in Congress and vote in presidential primaries, but cannot vote for president because Puerto Rico is not part of the electoral college. Hundreds of thousands of voters left the second part of the referendum blank, however, leaving the question open for further debate. A fifth referendum in ended in a majority vote for statehood, but only 23 percent of voters a historic low turned out.

In , the worsening economic crisis led its governor to announce that the commonwealth could no longer meet its debt obligations. Norton , House of Representatives. Library of Congress. Puerto Rico statehood referendum draws big support—but small turnout, CNN. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us!

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